Mombasa tycoons to be probed over terror

CID director Ndengwa Muhoro. Photo/Anna Bohlin.

SOME prominent Mombasa businessmen are among individuals being investigated for alleged funding terror activities in the country.

The businessmen are said to be directly linked with international wiring of funds that support terror activities which include firearms supply and recruitments.

According to CID Director Ndengwa Muhoro, the government is also probing at least twenty foreign and local bank accounts suspected to be used by the suspects to support terrorism activities.

Muhoro said the accounts are being probed by Banking Fraud Investigation Unit based at CID headquarters in Nairobi.

He said the Financial Reporting Centre (FRC), based within the Directorate of Criminal Investigation Unit, has received information of suspicious terror related activities.

“There are quite a number of cases that we are following up on. The moment we have credible information we will definitely take those involved to court,” said the CID boss.

He was speaking on in Mombasa on Friday after chairing a security meeting with the top security chiefs in the county.

Muhoro said those behind the accounts will be arrested and prosecuted once investigations are complete.

He said the unit has obtained crucial leads from the alleged transaction accounts.

“Terrorism financiers getting money from proceedings of crime will be dealt with,” warned Muhoro.

He said the detectives are building up evidence before seeking advice from the director of public prosecution to charge the suspects.

According to reliable sources within the CID department, the financiers are accused of funding the Somali based al-Shabaab group blamed for a number of attacks in the country.

Muhoro said the Proceeding of Crime and Anti-Money Laundering Act has been enacted and is operational to deal with financiers of illegal activities including terrorism and drug trafficking.

The CID boss said security agencies are also monitoring several mosques including Riyadh in Nairobi , Mombasa ‘s Masjid Mujahideen (former Sakina mosque) and Masjid Shuhadaa (former Masjid Musa).

In the last few months, Muslim youths have forcefully taken over the two Mombasa mosques believed to be a hotbed of militant Islamists. Police are currently analyzing violent sermons delivered at the two mosques.

Muhoro urged the mosque leaders to setup committees to run them responsibly.

“Let’s have these mosques in the hands of responsible people to ensure they conduct their duties. It’s that simple. Anything outside that will be dealt with harshly,” Muhoro said.

Meanwhile, a 65 years old man who escaped death narrowly twice two months ago from suspected al-shabaab sympathizers attack was on Saturday night shot before he died undergoing treatment at Msambweni Hospital.

According to Msambweni OCPD Joseph Omijah the deceased Swaleh Mwakuyumba was shot in his stomach twice by unknown number of gunmen at his Mbuani home in Ukunda before they escaped.

His wife Halima Mwatsudzo was also shot at her right leg according to Omijah before they were both rushed to Msambweni referral hospital for treatment.

“The man died later while undergoing treatment but his wife is in good condition,” said Omijah in his Diani office on Sunday.

He said that the gunmen raided the home of the deceased at around 12:30 am on Sunday and found him outside his house with his wife before opening fire before escaping.

He said that the motive of the assassination is not yet clear because the attackers did not steal anything from the victim.

Omijah said that they have launched investigations to establish who are behind the killing and unearth the truth behind the incident that has left locals in the area shocked.

“We don’t know exactly what can have lead to the killing up to now but we suspect it is because of a case before court that the deceased was a witness,” he added.

The case which is scheduled to be heard tomorrow (Tuesday) where the deceased was a witness involved suspected terror mastermind Seif Setu alias Budget who appeared in Kwale court recently in a different name as Omar Bakari.

Sources indicate that the deceased was killed by a gang which is believed to be close friends of al-shabaab suspect in police cell.

- 

Source: the-star.co.ke

SOME prominent Mombasa businessmen are among individuals being investigated for alleged funding terror activities in the country.
The businessmen are said to be directly linked with international wiring of funds that support terror activities which include firearms supply and recruitments.
According to CID Director Ndengwa Muhoro, the government is also probing at least twenty foreign and local bank accounts suspected to be used by the suspects to support terrorism activities.
Muhoro said the accounts are being probed by Banking Fraud Investigation Unit based at CID headquarters in Nairobi.
He said the Financial Reporting Centre (FRC), based within the Directorate of Criminal Investigation Unit, has received information of suspicious terror related activities.
“There are quite a number of cases that we are following up on. The moment we have credible information we will definitely take those involved to court,” said the CID boss.
He was speaking on in Mombasa on Friday after chairing a security meeting with the top security chiefs in the county.
Muhoro said those behind the accounts will be arrested and prosecuted once investigations are complete.
He said the unit has obtained crucial leads from the alleged transaction accounts.
“Terrorism financiers getting money from proceedings of crime will be dealt with,” warned Muhoro.
He said the detectives are building up evidence before seeking advice from the director of public prosecution to charge the suspects.
According to reliable sources within the CID department, the financiers are accused of funding the Somali based al-Shabaab group blamed for a number of attacks in the country.
Muhoro said the Proceeding of Crime and Anti-Money Laundering Act has been enacted and is operational to deal with financiers of illegal activities including terrorism and drug trafficking.
The CID boss said security agencies are also monitoring several mosques including Riyadh in Nairobi , Mombasa ‘s Masjid Mujahideen (former Sakina mosque) and Masjid Shuhadaa (former Masjid Musa).
In the last few months, Muslim youths have forcefully taken over the two Mombasa mosques believed to be a hotbed of militant Islamists. Police are currently analyzing violent sermons delivered at the two mosques.
Muhoro urged the mosque leaders to setup committees to run them responsibly.
“Let’s have these mosques in the hands of responsible people to ensure they conduct their duties. It’s that simple. Anything outside that will be dealt with harshly,” Muhoro said.
Meanwhile, a 65 years old man who escaped death narrowly twice two months ago from suspected al-shabaab sympathizers attack was on Saturday night shot before he died undergoing treatment at Msambweni Hospital.
According to Msambweni OCPD Joseph Omijah the deceased Swaleh Mwakuyumba was shot in his stomach twice by unknown number of gunmen at his Mbuani home in Ukunda before they escaped.
His wife Halima Mwatsudzo was also shot at her right leg according to Omijah before they were both rushed to Msambweni referral hospital for treatment.
“The man died later while undergoing treatment but his wife is in good condition,” said Omijah in his Diani office on Sunday.
He said that the gunmen raided the home of the deceased at around 12:30 am on Sunday and found him outside his house with his wife before opening fire before escaping.
He said that the motive of the assassination is not yet clear because the attackers did not steal anything from the victim.
Omijah said that they have launched investigations to establish who are behind the killing and unearth the truth behind the incident that has left locals in the area shocked.
“We don’t know exactly what can have lead to the killing up to now but we suspect it is because of a case before court that the deceased was a witness,” he added.
The case which is scheduled to be heard tomorrow (Tuesday) where the deceased was a witness involved suspected terror mastermind Seif Setu alias Budget who appeared in Kwale court recently in a different name as Omar Bakari.
Sources indicate that the deceased was killed by a gang which is believed to be close friends of al-shabaab suspect in police cell.
- See more at: http://www.the-star.co.ke/news/article-163028/mombasa-tycoons-be-probed-over-terror#sthash.yhVWAzaT.dpuf

SOME prominent Mombasa businessmen are among individuals being investigated for alleged funding terror activities in the country.
The businessmen are said to be directly linked with international wiring of funds that support terror activities which include firearms supply and recruitments.
According to CID Director Ndengwa Muhoro, the government is also probing at least twenty foreign and local bank accounts suspected to be used by the suspects to support terrorism activities.
Muhoro said the accounts are being probed by Banking Fraud Investigation Unit based at CID headquarters in Nairobi.
He said the Financial Reporting Centre (FRC), based within the Directorate of Criminal Investigation Unit, has received information of suspicious terror related activities.
“There are quite a number of cases that we are following up on. The moment we have credible information we will definitely take those involved to court,” said the CID boss.
He was speaking on in Mombasa on Friday after chairing a security meeting with the top security chiefs in the county.
Muhoro said those behind the accounts will be arrested and prosecuted once investigations are complete.
He said the unit has obtained crucial leads from the alleged transaction accounts.
“Terrorism financiers getting money from proceedings of crime will be dealt with,” warned Muhoro.
He said the detectives are building up evidence before seeking advice from the director of public prosecution to charge the suspects.
According to reliable sources within the CID department, the financiers are accused of funding the Somali based al-Shabaab group blamed for a number of attacks in the country.
Muhoro said the Proceeding of Crime and Anti-Money Laundering Act has been enacted and is operational to deal with financiers of illegal activities including terrorism and drug trafficking.
The CID boss said security agencies are also monitoring several mosques including Riyadh in Nairobi , Mombasa ‘s Masjid Mujahideen (former Sakina mosque) and Masjid Shuhadaa (former Masjid Musa).
In the last few months, Muslim youths have forcefully taken over the two Mombasa mosques believed to be a hotbed of militant Islamists. Police are currently analyzing violent sermons delivered at the two mosques.
Muhoro urged the mosque leaders to setup committees to run them responsibly.
“Let’s have these mosques in the hands of responsible people to ensure they conduct their duties. It’s that simple. Anything outside that will be dealt with harshly,” Muhoro said.
Meanwhile, a 65 years old man who escaped death narrowly twice two months ago from suspected al-shabaab sympathizers attack was on Saturday night shot before he died undergoing treatment at Msambweni Hospital.
According to Msambweni OCPD Joseph Omijah the deceased Swaleh Mwakuyumba was shot in his stomach twice by unknown number of gunmen at his Mbuani home in Ukunda before they escaped.
His wife Halima Mwatsudzo was also shot at her right leg according to Omijah before they were both rushed to Msambweni referral hospital for treatment.
“The man died later while undergoing treatment but his wife is in good condition,” said Omijah in his Diani office on Sunday.
He said that the gunmen raided the home of the deceased at around 12:30 am on Sunday and found him outside his house with his wife before opening fire before escaping.
He said that the motive of the assassination is not yet clear because the attackers did not steal anything from the victim.
Omijah said that they have launched investigations to establish who are behind the killing and unearth the truth behind the incident that has left locals in the area shocked.
“We don’t know exactly what can have lead to the killing up to now but we suspect it is because of a case before court that the deceased was a witness,” he added.
The case which is scheduled to be heard tomorrow (Tuesday) where the deceased was a witness involved suspected terror mastermind Seif Setu alias Budget who appeared in Kwale court recently in a different name as Omar Bakari.
Sources indicate that the deceased was killed by a gang which is believed to be close friends of al-shabaab suspect in police cell.
- See more at: http://www.the-star.co.ke/news/article-163028/mombasa-tycoons-be-probed-over-terror#sthash.yhVWAzaT.dpuf

SOME prominent Mombasa businessmen are among individuals being investigated for alleged funding terror activities in the country.
The businessmen are said to be directly linked with international wiring of funds that support terror activities which include firearms supply and recruitments.
According to CID Director Ndengwa Muhoro, the government is also probing at least twenty foreign and local bank accounts suspected to be used by the suspects to support terrorism activities.
Muhoro said the accounts are being probed by Banking Fraud Investigation Unit based at CID headquarters in Nairobi.
He said the Financial Reporting Centre (FRC), based within the Directorate of Criminal Investigation Unit, has received information of suspicious terror related activities.
“There are quite a number of cases that we are following up on. The moment we have credible information we will definitely take those involved to court,” said the CID boss.
He was speaking on in Mombasa on Friday after chairing a security meeting with the top security chiefs in the county.
Muhoro said those behind the accounts will be arrested and prosecuted once investigations are complete.
He said the unit has obtained crucial leads from the alleged transaction accounts.
“Terrorism financiers getting money from proceedings of crime will be dealt with,” warned Muhoro.
He said the detectives are building up evidence before seeking advice from the director of public prosecution to charge the suspects.
According to reliable sources within the CID department, the financiers are accused of funding the Somali based al-Shabaab group blamed for a number of attacks in the country.
Muhoro said the Proceeding of Crime and Anti-Money Laundering Act has been enacted and is operational to deal with financiers of illegal activities including terrorism and drug trafficking.
The CID boss said security agencies are also monitoring several mosques including Riyadh in Nairobi , Mombasa ‘s Masjid Mujahideen (former Sakina mosque) and Masjid Shuhadaa (former Masjid Musa).
In the last few months, Muslim youths have forcefully taken over the two Mombasa mosques believed to be a hotbed of militant Islamists. Police are currently analyzing violent sermons delivered at the two mosques.
Muhoro urged the mosque leaders to setup committees to run them responsibly.
“Let’s have these mosques in the hands of responsible people to ensure they conduct their duties. It’s that simple. Anything outside that will be dealt with harshly,” Muhoro said.
Meanwhile, a 65 years old man who escaped death narrowly twice two months ago from suspected al-shabaab sympathizers attack was on Saturday night shot before he died undergoing treatment at Msambweni Hospital.
According to Msambweni OCPD Joseph Omijah the deceased Swaleh Mwakuyumba was shot in his stomach twice by unknown number of gunmen at his Mbuani home in Ukunda before they escaped.
His wife Halima Mwatsudzo was also shot at her right leg according to Omijah before they were both rushed to Msambweni referral hospital for treatment.
“The man died later while undergoing treatment but his wife is in good condition,” said Omijah in his Diani office on Sunday.
He said that the gunmen raided the home of the deceased at around 12:30 am on Sunday and found him outside his house with his wife before opening fire before escaping.
He said that the motive of the assassination is not yet clear because the attackers did not steal anything from the victim.
Omijah said that they have launched investigations to establish who are behind the killing and unearth the truth behind the incident that has left locals in the area shocked.
“We don’t know exactly what can have lead to the killing up to now but we suspect it is because of a case before court that the deceased was a witness,” he added.
The case which is scheduled to be heard tomorrow (Tuesday) where the deceased was a witness involved suspected terror mastermind Seif Setu alias Budget who appeared in Kwale court recently in a different name as Omar Bakari.
Sources indicate that the deceased was killed by a gang which is believed to be close friends of al-shabaab suspect in police cell.
- See more at: http://www.the-star.co.ke/news/article-163028/mombasa-tycoons-be-probed-over-terror#sthash.yhVWAzaT.dpuf

Scottish Independence and the UK State

by AhabsOtherLeg

Funnily enough, I do agree with some of what George Robertson said in that speech. Scottish independence will indeed embolden other independence movements across Europe - Catalonia (which looks set to vote Yes anyway, as they have before), and the Bretons in France, the Walloons and Flemish in Belgium, the Basques, etc.

While Robertson pisses himself at this prospect, seeing the financial and military interests of his good friends threatened, I welcome it.

Look at the European states who have strong independence movements within them...
It is all the old Imperial powers, isn't it? Britain, France, Spain, Belgium, Russia (with some NATO help in that case), and so on. Spain and Portugal already split up, so I'm excluding Portugal from the imperial powers list, though they do have a highly shitty colonial past.

There is also the immensely comedic potential here for Brussels to end up outside the EU, if Flanders and Wallonia split up, and the EU sticks to the rules on "new states" that they claim they'll use for Scotland. Imagine that.

On the Robertson/Dunblane stuff, one must tread carefully. He won a libel case against the Glasgow Herald not because of anything they'd actually printed in the paper, but because of an anonymous online comment that was left on an article by persons unknown. They had to pay so much in damages that they almost went under altogether. For all the laughability of his panic-stations rhetoric, he is a powerful and well-connected man (being made the non-military head of NATO is among the least of his various appointments over the years). It is bizarre to see him and George Galloway on the same side in the independence debate. They know each other well, and the loathing is mutual.

Apparently (to his credit) Robertson did criticize Thomas Hamilton's boy's clubs for being too "militaristic" in style (he withdrew his son from one of them for this reason).

That's a wee bit ironic, though, considering how much Robertson likes a militaristic style in every other aspect of his life.

NATO with its arguments recognized illegality of "referendum" in Karabakh

by Vugar Seyidov

A few days ago the North Atlantic bloc posted on its official website answers to the theses of Moscow concerning relations between Russia and NATO.

One question concerns the illegitimacy of the so-called "referendum" conducted in March this year in the Crimean autonomy of Ukraine. The document, in particular, reads:

"Russian officials claim that the so-called referendum held in the Crimea on 16 March was legitimate.

The referendum was illegal according to the Constitution of Ukraine, which states that "Nationwide referendum exceptionally settles issues of territorial change in Ukraine" (Article 73). Crimea as part of Ukraine has the status of an autonomous republic, but all the questions about its authorities should be resolved by the Parliament of Ukraine (Article 134) , and its constitution must be approved by the Parliament of Ukraine (Article 135).

In addition, the so-called referendum was held in a few weeks by the self-proclaimed leadership of the Crimea, assigned by the Russian servicemen in arms after the seizure of government buildings."

Thus, NATO with its arguments officially recognized the illegality of the so-called "referendum" held on 10 December 1991 in Nagorno-Karabakh of Azerbaijan. This event, designed to change the border of the Azerbaijan Republic, is contrary to Articles 78 and 79, yet the current Constitution of the USSR and lacked any legislative basis.

In particular, these articles of the USSR Constitution stated:

"Article 78. The territory of the Federal Republic cannot be altered without its consent. Boundaries between the union republics can be altered by mutual agreement of the republics, which is subject to approval by the USSR.

Article 79. The Federal Republic determines its territorial, regional, county, district division and solves other issues of administrative-territorial unit."

In addition, the desperate attempts of the Armenian leadership to refer to the Law of the USSR dated 3 April 1990 " On the procedure for issues related to the secession of Union Republics from the USSR" for holding an illegal referendum under some legislative framework are absolutely groundless, since the law repealed already on 5-6 September 1991 following the decision adopted at the Extraordinary Congress of People's Deputies of the USSR "On measures arising from the joint statement of the President of the USSR and the top leaders of the union republics and the decision of the extraordinary session of the USSR Supreme Soviet", establishing a new order of seceding from the USSR. Even without this decision the so-called referendum in Nagorno-Karabakh of Azerbaijan Republic was held in gross violation of several articles of the USSR Law which lost its relevance to the time from 3 April 1990.

Given that until the last minute of its existence the highest authority in the country was considered a decision of the union republics, not of the subordinate republic (and even less autonomous) governments, any change in the administrative boundaries within the country could be carried out only in accordance with the current Constitution of the USSR and with the approval of the union authorities.

And the last decision of the higher union authorities in the history of the USSR was the decision of the USSR State Council dated 27 November 1991 "On measures to stabilize the situation in Nagorno-Karabakh and the border areas of the Republic of Azerbaijan and the Republic of Armenia" , recognizing unconstitutional "all acts that change the legal status of Nagorno-Karabakh autonomous region, as recorded in the Constitution of the USSR", ordering "to restore the constitutional order in the territory of Nagorno-Karabakh", and the decision of the USSR Constitutional Supervision Committee dated 28 November 1991 "on the Acts of the Supreme Soviet of the USSR and its Presidium and the Supreme Soviet of Azerbaijan SSR (Republic of Azerbaijan) and the Armenian SSR (Republic of Armenia) on the Nagorno-Karabakh Autonomous region", recognizing the decree "On the Reunification of the Armenian SSR and Nagorno-Karabakh" from 1 December 1989 and the decision of the CEC of the Armenian SSR for the establishment of constituencies for elections to the Supreme Soviet of the Armenian SSR in the territory of Nagorno-Karabakh as derogating from the provisions of the USSR Constitution and laws of the USSR and recognizing the decision of the Supreme Soviet of Azerbaijan Republic dated 23 November 1991 on the Elimination of Nagorno-Karabakh as inappropriate to articles 86 and 87 of the Constitution of the USSR.

These two decisions of 27 and 28 November confirmed the status of Nagorno-Karabakh within the Azerbaijan SSR, cancelling by default the unauthorized proclamation of the so-called "Nagorno-Karabakh Republic" instead of Nagorno-Karabakh and several other areas of the Azerbaijan SSR on 2 September 1991.

Thus, Nagorno-Karabakh region de jure left the USSR as part of the Azerbaijan Republic and under international principle uti possidetis juris, it was recognized by the international community, including the UN, only as part of Azerbaijan.

Illegal was not only the so-called "referendum" in Nagorno-Karabakh of Azerbaijan Republic held on 10 December 1991, but also in the case of holding unilaterally, a "referendum" that would follow it would be contrary to Article 3 of the current Constitution of the Republic of Azerbaijan (which de jure includes Nagorno-Karabakh) , which states that "the people of Azerbaijan by referendum can decide any matter affecting their rights and interests " and "change of state borders of Azerbaijan Republic" can be solved "only by referendum".

Taking into account that NATO refused to recognize the "referendum" in Crimea as legitimate precisely because it is contrary to the Constitution of Ukraine, this implies that for the same reason NATO considers the event conducted in 1991 in Nagorno-Karabakh of Azerbaijan in a similar way as illegal and having no legal consequences for its status.

Ethiopia slams International Rivers organisation for supporting Egypt

Ethiopia's National Panel of Experts linked to the Renaissance Dam project dismiss as biased to Egypt criticisms of the dam levelled by US-based environmental group

A general view shows construction activity on the Grand Renaissance dam in Guba Woreda, Benishangul Gumuz region March 16, 2014 (Photo: Reuters)

The National Panel of Experts linked to the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD) has slammed the International Rivers Network (IRN) for criticising the Renaissance Dam project, accusing the body of being biased and supporting Egypt against the dam.

The panel accused, in a statement issued Thursday, the US-based environmental organisation "of subverting Ethiopia’s efforts to develop its water resources and lift its vast and growing population out of poverty." It accused the IRN of being paid by Egypt in order to lobby against the Renaissance Dam internationally. 

"Again, the IRN never loses opportunity to lobby for its Egyptian paymasters. Not only does the IRN talk about the 'oversize' of GERD, but also about the Egyptians’ negative emotions over GERD: anger and fear."

The IRN issued 31 March 2014 a statement about Renaissance Dam along with a leaked version of the report of the tripartite technical committee assigned to study the probable impact of the dam on Egypt and Sudan issued last year. 

"One international dam expert who has seen the report states that it shows that construction on the project is proceeding on an aggressively accelerated schedule with little room for adjusting key elements of dam design to reduce harm or prevent problems," the IRN said in its statement. 

The environmental NGO called on Ethiopia to halt construction of the dam until studies on the impact of the dam on the downstream countries are continued.

The IRN added that it would work on keeping international donors from investing in the GERD project while providing alternatives to Ethiopia for water and land reclamation. 

Egypt, Ethiopia and Sudan formed a tripartite technical committee to study the probable effects of the Renaissance Dam. But the committee's discussions were thwarted in December when Sudanese President Omar Al-Bashir announced his support for the dam during a meeting with Ethiopian Prime Minister Hailemariam Desalegn.

Talks between Ethiopia and Egypt broke down in recent months. Yet officials from both countries insist they will continue to hold talks in order to solve the dispute over the dam. Earlier this month, the foreign ministers of both Egypt and Ethiopia held talks in Brussels on the dam. 

Founded in 1985 as an international NGO, the International Rivers Network is an environmental anti-dam organisation that aims to protect rivers and local communities that depend on those rivers. The US based organisation is known internationally for its stances against dams in general.

source: english.ahram.org.eg

Ethiopia: Addis Ababa Light Rail project 60% complete

Is it a great time to be an Engineer in Ethiopia or what? Ethiopia has several ambitious infrastructure projects across the country from the massive Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam to Ethiopia's first light rail transit in Addis Ababa.

Ethiopia's state-run news agency reports that the construction of the Addis Ababa Light Rail Transit project entered electric traction works; a final phase in the construction of the 4.8 million USD electrified rail system.

The power traction works are started yesterday in the West East Rout of the light rail transit from Megenagna to Ayat.

Power traction works include installation of electric poles and overhead wires to power the light rail vehicles as well as construction of 18 traction sub stations, nine on each of the east-west and north-south directions of the transit.

The power traction work is the final phase of the 34km light railway project, project manager, eng. Behaylu Sintayehu said.

The light rail will rely on 15kvs of power supplied mainly from overhead wires. Power cuts will not be a concern for the smooth operation of the transit as the LRT will have a dedicated power supply through a grid system, officials of Ethiopian Railways Corporation said.

The construction of the transit, launched in 2012, is progressing. Nearly 60 percent of its construction has so far completed.

Track was laid on 17km, half of the total length of the project, so far, according to the manager

UK aerospace and defense firms fret over Scottish independence bid

A worker crosses the floor of the Eurofighter Typhoon production line at BAE systems Warton plant near Preston, northern England September 7, 2012. CREDIT: REUTERS/PHIL NOBLE

(Reuters) - Britain's aerospace and defense industries warned on Sunday that the sector could lose its global competitive edge as a result of Scotland's bid for independence, which is due to be decided by a referendum later this year.

The ADS Group, an aerospace and defense trade organization, said the uncertainty over the future of taxation, fiscal and monetary policy that the September 18 referendum has generated was a major cause of concern for firms operating in Britain.

"September's referendum on the future of Scotland could have a profound impact on these sectors' global competitiveness," said ADS Group Chief Executive Paul Everitt.

"In addition to the debates about monetary and fiscal policy, there is genuine uncertainty about the impact of independence on the UK's - and Scotland's - international influence, export opportunities and inward investment."

Britain is home to a number of major aerospace and defense industry firms such as BAE Systems, Cobham and Babcock - all of whom are members of the ADS Group.

Britain's defense sector has a 22 billion pound ($37 billion) annual turnover and employs more than 300,000 people. The industry is heavily reliant on government procurement, leaving it exposed to political uncertainty.

Sunday's comments are the latest in series of warnings from business leaders across a range of sectors, including finance and energy, who are concerned about a possible end to Scotland's 307-year tie with the rest of Britain.

In their statement the ADS Group warned that a split may have far-reaching consequences, such as forcing companies into a costly reshuffling of supply chains which straddle the English-Scottish border.

"Companies are concerned about the costs and consequences negotiation and transition arrangements might have on procurement budgets, mature supply chains and highly-skilled workforces," Everitt said.

(Reporting by William James; Editing by Raissa Kasolowsky)

Scottish independence ‘would harm world’s poorest’

Justine Greening: splitting aid programme would be damaging. Picture: Getty

 

by SCOTT MACNAB

SOME of the “world’s poorest people” would suffer from a Yes vote, Westminster’s International Development Secretary has claimed.

Justine Greening said the contribution of Scottish charities, universities and institutions are at the heart of the UK’s international efforts and these have a “far more positive impact” as part of the Union.

However, the Scottish Government accused the UK minister of using the world’s poor as a “political football”. The UK’s aid budget currently stands at £11 billion per year. The SNP has already pledged to spend almost £1bn a year after a vote for independence.

UK aid spending, through the Scottish-based Department for International Development (DfID), last year hit 0.7 per cent gross national income (GNI), making Britain the first in the G8 to reach this key UN target.

The UK has helped 20 million people get access to clean water in the past three years and 22 million children to be immunised against killer diseases, Ms Greening said. A further 6 million youngsters in the developing world have secured a primary school education.

Ms Greening said: “When it comes to the choice that Scotland faces in September, I firmly believe that splitting our hugely successful aid programme into two risks diminishing its impact.

“As the world’s second-biggest aid donor, the UK can use economies of scale to squeeze the maximum value for money out of every penny we spend, ensuring our money goes further in helping the world’s poorest people.” The UK is one of only five permanent members of the United Nations Security Council and also has its own place on the board of the World Bank.

This means that the “core values we share across the whole of the UK are reflected at the top of these global institutions,” Ms Greening added.

Scotland’s international development minister Humza Yousaf said: “This is insulting, hypocritical nonsense from Justine Greening, who should apologize for using the poorest in the world as a political football.”

He added: “The UK comes behind many countries of Scotland’s size in the Centre for Development’s Commitment to Development Index.

“Denmark, Sweden, Norway and Luxembourg top the index, with the UK in eighth place after Ireland. That gives the lie to the claims that big is best in this area and shows what an independent Scotland can aspire to.

“Scotland is more than capable of being a global leader in international development.”

When Wealth is Dangerous

by RACHEL PIEH JONES

I wrote last month about the troubling ways we sometimes talk about the poor – assigning the simplistic emotion of happiness while not allowing them a fuller, more complex array of human emotion. And about the way the poor are presented as inherently holy, simply because of their poverty.

Today I want to talk about the troubling ways rich Christians handle our wealth and our steadfast resistance to identifying with the poor, our endless and dangerous pursuit of riches, and the example Jesus set before all of us, poor and rich and everyone in between.

I saw a commercial a few years ago that encapsulates the god of consumerism:

A man hands a boy a vanilla ice cream cone. The boy says, “And…?” The man adds sprinkles, hot fudge, and whip cream. The boy happily licks his treat.

A young man is offered a good job. The man says, “And…?” The interviewer gives him stock options, a corner office with a window, a month of paid vacation, and a major signing bonus. The man happily accepts the job.

A man spots the sexy butt of a woman wearing blue jeans. The man says, “And…?” The woman turns around and is gorgeous. They happily hop into bed.

A man drinks a Coke. The man says, “And…?” The Coke turns into Coke Lite. The man is happy.

This reminds me of the story in Luke 12. A farmer kept building bigger barns. He looked at his harvest and said, “And…?” And God struck him down dead. If that Coke commercial were in the Bible the ending would have been much different.

How much are we like the man, the farmer? We never have enough, we are never satisfied, we are never happy, we are never content, we are never as well-off as the person a few tiers above us. Gluttony, greed, discontent, comparison, envy, hoarding…they barely register as the serious sins they are. We take fighting poverty seriously (at least in word) and we explode over theological differences regarding the end times or marriage but we continue to consume and consume and consume and fail to recognize the danger to our souls. And just because I live and work with people of little to no income doesn’t mean I am exempt from this. Far from it.

I’m proud and I think: look how good I’m doing. I live at a lower standard than so-and-so. Or: compared to many Christians in the US, I look pretty good. As if holiness were based on how other people lived instead of being based on an absolute standard. And in the very next instant I can be self-pitying and think: I better get a good reward for this in heaven. Or: why can’t I just live in America where my standard of living would look poor and I could feel proud of my scarcity instead of ashamed of my abundance?

Lord have mercy.

There is a very real way in which the poor are free from the concerns of wealth, worry over protecting and maintaining their stuff, time wasted on managing bank accounts or caring for the goods that money buys. The Bible is clear that money is a hindrance to faith, contentment, and joy, that God has special concern for the poor, that the last will be first, that where our treasure is there our heart will also be. Did not God choose the poor of this world to be rich in faith and heirs of the Kingdom, which he promised to those who love him? (James 2:5)

A wise woman wrote this to me in response to last month’s essay, “I believe that when my tangible resources are fewer here, I have at least the possibility of depending on God in quite a different way, and I think that can reap powerful and eternal benefits.”

And this, “To discard the link between poverty and holiness, and between poverty and happiness, I think does overlook some inconvenient truths for our own lives.”

I struggle with this, I feel obscenely wealthy in Djibouti. I wonder what a ‘reasonable’ standard of living is. Is a generator for power cuts when it is 120-degrees excessive? Is it excessive to run an air conditioner, to eat meat, to have a refrigerator? when so many around me don’t? I struggle to be content in cold showers or while sharing a bedroom with my entire family while we run that air conditioner.

There is an inconvenient truth in my heart that I like comfort and ease. And yet, when I am comfortable and life is easy, I do not cast myself on God. I don’t beg and plead and demand that Jesus make his presence palpable. I don’t cry for miracles, I am less desperate in prayer.

I want more than this:

To know Christ and the power of his padded bank account, the participation in his glowing accolades, becoming like him in his affluent lifestyle, and so somehow, to attain to the comfort of treasures here on earth.

Jesus didn’t take on the nature of a ‘reasonably’ comfortable human. Though he was rich, for our sake Jesus didn’t become middle class. He took on the nature of a slave. For our sake he became poor.

While I challenged us not to oversimplify the experiences and personalities of people in poverty, I also challenge us to be like Jesus and to let go of the idol of wealth. To hold our stuff and money loosely, to be generous to the point of excess, to live unreasonably, to know, and live like we know, that godliness with contentment is great gain, for we brought nothing into this world and we can take nothing out of it.

How do you deal with economic disparity where you live? How do you address this issue of wealth and poverty in your own heart?

Energy Revenues to Help Africa Trim ‘Infrastructure Gap’

Ahmed Osman Ali

Central Bank of Djibouti Governor 

IMF Survey

April 12, 2014

• With growth steady, inflation low, Africa’s attention turns to quality of growth
• Better roads, railways, ports, power supply would boost employment
• Energy earnings offer new revenue stream to devote to infrastructure

New revenue streams arising from recent and upcoming crude oil and natural gas production would be channeled into investments in roads, railways, ports, and power, African finance officials said.

Three finance ministers and a central bank governor told a Washington news briefing that Africa’s “infrastructure gap” is a significant development obstacle that will have to be overcome for the continent’s economic growth to be more inclusive.

The officials told reporters during the IMF-World Bank Spring Meetings that investment in infrastructure is a major priority for Africa as the continent’s governments strive to create more jobs and expand social services. They noted that many African countries had achieved macroeconomic stability with steady growth and relatively low inflation. Governments were now aiming for better-quality growth by focusing on creating jobs and improving health and education.

The finance ministers of Uganda and Chad said significant shares of new revenue streams arising from their countries’ recent and upcoming crude oil and natural gas production had been and would be devoted to infrastructure development.

“Our oil reserves are about to start production,” observed Ugandan Finance Minister Maria Kiwanuka, “but our biggest challenge is our infrastructure gap.” She noted, however, that development of Uganda’s roads and railways is under way.

Dedicated revenues

“Our petroleum revenues will be dedicated to building infrastructure,” Kiwanuka said. She noted that that Uganda has a young population. “Therefore our need is for job creation, rather than pensions. So all monies coming from our oil and gas revenues will be invested through our budget, duly appropriated by the parliament of Uganda, in our infrastructure program over the next 20 years,” she declared.

“It’s a question of transforming robust growth into inclusive growth with more jobs, more even income distribution, and better health care and sanitation,” said Mozambican Finance Minister Manuel Chang.

He stressed that targeting better infrastructure is a key part of the government’s investment strategy. “Mozambique is clear about what sectors it needs to support to reduce poverty: the social sectors—health, education— along with infrastructure already 65 percent of the budget is channeled here. And the results are visible.”

Port connections

Now investment would focus on energy, railways, ports, agriculture, tourism, and natural gas as enablers of more inclusive growth, Chang said. Planners would concentrate particularly on connecting Mozambique’s ports to the hinterland.

Finance Minister Bedoumra Kordje said that Chad’s oil revenue stream since 2003 had enabled the country to make a significant qualitative jump in its budgeting. The government was investing in infrastructure and social services and had, for example, added 1,900 kilometers of paved roads in the ten years to 2013.

Kordje noted that two new oil fields would come on stream in 2014 as investment in the energy sector increased. “But it’s imperative that we diversify our economy, as oil is subject to fluctuations in world markets. So we are working to assist the agricultural sector, which is still the main provider of employment,” he added. He observed that Chad’s nonoil growth would likely hit double digits this year.

Regional benefits

Central Bank of Djibouti Governor Ahmed Osman Ali said increased infrastructure development in his nation, located where the Red Sea joins the Gulf of Aden, could benefit the whole of the Horn of Africa. “We have opened new harbors which, in addition to a new deep-water port built a few years ago, have boosted Djibouti’s economy but have also helped Ethiopia,” Ali said.

Ali said added Djibouti’s new harbors, established to export cattle, would be augmented by a new railway in the north of the country that would connect to another new port to export potassium. In addition, upgraded power transmission lines were set to reduce the cost of energy to small businesses and to fully electrify the port of Djibouti.

Kiwanuka said better infrastructure in Uganda could also help East Africa by making Uganda the distribution hub for the region. “When goods come to the sea ports of Mombasa and Dar es Salaam, the quickest and cheapest way to South Sudan, the eastern part of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, and Rwanda is through Uganda.”

Internet cables

Ali noted that Djibouti’s strategic location at the mouth of the Red Sea leading to the Suez Canal meant that six intercontinental submarine cables carrying internet connections passed through Djibouti. This ensured that the country had excellent digital connectivity.

Kiwanuka said infrastructure investment had helped cut the transit time of goods from the Kenyan port of Mombasa to Uganda from more than 20 days to five days. In addition, two new dams would double Uganda’s hydroelectric power capacity and greatly improve the availability and reliability of the country’s power supply.

The finance officials said better agricultural productivity would also promote more inclusive growth in Africa. Kiwanuka noted that some 70 percent of Uganda’s work force was employed in the agricultural sector, which contributed less than 30 percent of national income.

“We are looking to the agricultural sector to drive inclusive growth and contribute to further reducing rural poverty,” Kiwanuka said. Such poverty had been reduced in the past five years by constructing rural roads, extending electricity transmission lines, and improving irrigation projects. Modernized infrastructure would further reduce the cost of doing business in Uganda, she said.

■ Chang noted that infrastructure would be on the agenda at a high-level international conference on sub-Saharan Africa to be held by the IMF and the government of Mozambique in Maputo on May 29–30. The two-day event will bring together policymakers from throughout Africa and from development partners, business, and civil society, and will focus on how the current growth path can be maintained while sharing its benefits among all Africans.