Police fight for safe festive season

December 5, 2017, 2:00 pm

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Police fight for safe festive season The ten people who died in a head-on collision 20km from Okahandja on Sunday have not yet been identified, the police said yesterday.

The crash killed everybody in the two vehicles, including a baby.

The police on Monday appealed for public assistance to help identify the victims, who were burned beyond recognition.

Police and other stakeholders are gearing up for increased traffic, and accidents, on the national roads this festive season.

In a bid to warn of the high risks involved, the police yesterday issued statistics that highlight the high number of accidents and deaths on Namibia's roads.

The statistics show that 1 337 people have died in car crashes in the financial years 2014/2015 to 2016/2017.

In the same three years, more than 34 211 car accidents took place in which more than 10 000 people were injured. Deputy Commissioner Edwin Kanguatjivi said that from April 2017 to November 2017, 5 888 accidents were recorded in Namibia, in which 278 people died and 1 902 were injured.

Since the start of this year's festive season road-safety campaign on 27 November, 23 people have died in 57 accidents. In an effort to reduce the number of accidents this holiday season, the police will increase their presence on all major roads.

Temporary emergency shelters will be opened at Etunda, between Otavi and Otjiwarongo, and at Farm Success, between Okahandja and Otjiwarongo.

Another emergency centre will be opened at Wilhelmstal between Okahandja and Karibib.

These centres will be staffed around the clock, every day.

Each centre will be accompanied by a roadblock manned by road safety and security personnel.

The police yesterday warned that drivers should be aware of certain high-risk dates during the festive season. The most dangerous periods are 4 to 13 December, and 20 to 28 December, when traffic volumes are expected to be high as holidaymakers make their way to the coast and to the north.

From 30 December to 4 January 2018 many people will return home, again increasing traffic volumes. From 8 to 12 January heavy traffic is expected on all national roads as the festive season comes to a close. The police warned that officers will focus on roadworthiness, wearing of seat belts, overtaking at blind spots and overloading.

They will perform mandatory alcohol tests.

Agencies involved in the road-safety campaigns include the National Road Safety Council, the Motor Vehicle Accident Fund, the Roads Authority, the Windhoek City Police and all local authorities.

The police also warned that burglaries increase during the festive season. Businesses and home owners should be aware of the higher risk and take precautions.

JANA-MARI SMITH

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Namibia squeamish about transparency

December 5, 2017, 2:00 pm

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Namibia squeamish about transparency A damning report by a policy watchdog has found that both government and private institutions in Namibia do not prize transparency and many remain shrouded in secrecy.

A survey testing the private and public sectors' willingness to share public information found problems across the board, although the transparency deficit remains most striking in the public sector.

Despite long paying lip service to increased state accountability and transparency, “the state sector has continued to demonstrate a long evident aversion to any sort of significant or substantial openness,” the report found.

The report, titled 'Access Denied: Access to Information in Namibia' by the Institute for Public Policy Research (IPPR), argues that overall the findings point “to a general and predominant Namibian institutional culture which does not prize transparency highly.” Over 80% of 105 public and private entities approached for information either did not respond or could not provide the requested information. Nearly 60% did not respond in any meaningful way, the researchers found.

“It can probably be argued that the lack of a culture of openness visible across all sectors is a consequence of the overarching and problematic state sector culture,” the report notes.

“Access to information and transparency deficits appear to stubbornly exist across most sectors of society, including in the private sector and civil society domains.”

Nearly 80% of private companies did not respond to information requests or did not have the requested information available, which suggested that “transparency is also not a priority for the Namibian private sector”.

The researchers said their findings showed that “Namibia is generally not possessed of an institutional and societal culture that favours openness and transparency, but rather tends towards secrecy.”





Not talking

The report found that although there has been talk in government circles pointing to the urgency of improved transparency to tackle corruption and to boost development plans, “the divergence between political rhetoric and administrative practice remained as stark as ever by late 2017.”

Of 20 ministries approached with an information request during the survey, only five responded.

Of the21 state-owned enterprises (SOEs) approached for the study, 85% did not respond, “which contradicts the prevailing narrative of improving governance, transparency and accountability,” the report's authors argue.

The survey team emphasised that the information requested was not complex and related to the specific institutional role of the respondents, ensuring that the request was reasonable and in the public interest.

Notably, the high rate of unresponsiveness in the SOE sector was “especially concerning given the fact that the SOE sector is highly dependent on the public purse to remain afloat,” they added.

Access to information, as a human rights and governance concern, “remains a thorny political and governance issue in Namibia”, the authors state in the report.

The report highlights that while there has been much talk about improved accountability and transparency in the current administration, officials' refusal to share information “flies in the face of claims that the current administration has infused the state sector with much more transparency since 2015.”

Of the seven state agencies and special offices surveyed, just one, the Office of the Judiciary, provided the requested information.

The report notes that the non-response in this sector, at slightly above 85%, was similar to the rate of the SOE sector.

“This is telling, because the SOEs with a similar non-response rate either report or have to account in some way to these agencies and special offices. And the fact that neither sector tends to afford the public any sort of meaningful transparency must surely raise questions about the levels and quality of oversight of public assets and resources.”

Of the 14 regions, only the Erongo regional council responded to a request for information.

Namibia is a signatory to multiple international and regional declarations, conventions and treaties which oblige the country to implement formal access to information frameworks.

“Namibia has a lot of work to do across the board in order to engender more transparent organisational and institutional cultures that are appreciative of the value of access to information,” the report concludes.



JANA-MARI SMITH

Hage fumes over health mess

December 5, 2017, 2:00 pm

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Hage fumes over health messReads riot act to ministers 'controlled' by PSes A personality clash between the health minister and his permanent secretary cannot be allowed to compromise services at state hospitals, the president has said. President Hage Geingob has jumped into the fray by seemingly asking the minister of health and his permanent secretary to put their differences aside and end the infighting reportedly threatening to bring service delivery in the sector to a halt.

Geingob yesterday made it clear that infighting between ministers and their permanent secretaries would not be tolerated and if they cannot get along they must be relieved of their duties.

The stern warning was made at the last cabinet meeting of the year at State House.

The meeting was followed by a closed-door session where health minister Bernard Haufiku, accompanied by several doctors and medical specialists, briefed the cabinet on the dire shortage of hospital supplies.

It has been widely reported that the ministry is at emergency levels of medical supplies, with shortages experienced mainly at the Katutura, Windhoek Central and Oshakati hospitals – the three largest in the country.

During the cabinet briefing, Geingob said although the health sector had been doing well in the past, it seemed things were going downhill.

He said the problems facing the ministry were reportedly caused by infighting between Haufiku and his permanent secretary, Andreas Mwoombola.

“Some are saying there are fights between the PS and the minister,” Geingob said.

Geingob told Haufiku if he was having fights with his PS, then he was failing as the head of the ministry. Geingob said he was surprised to hear about the standoff between the two.





There can be no fights between the “boss” and those that work under them, said Geingob.

“How can you work this way? This means you cannot even have meetings together, or greet each other because of the hating that is between the two of you.”

Geingob also told ministers not to let permanent secretaries to control them.

“Ministers, be strong. You are allowing permanent secretaries to control you,” he said.

Geingob further instructed prime minister Saara Kuugongelwa-Amadhila to ensure that those who can't work together are relieved of their duties.

At the beginning of last month, Kuugongelwa-Amadhila confirmed the standoff between the two officials.

Kuugongelwa-Amadhila confirmed to Namibian Sun that Haufiku had approached her office to state his displeasure at working with Mwoombola.

“We are aware that the minister has raised concern about the way things are managed at the ministry. A process has been commissioned to look into those things and the process is still running, because we have to do things according to the law,” she said.



Concerns

Just last week several doctors wrote a letter to Haufiku and the health ministry management, expressing grave concerns about a shortage of medical supplies and equipment at state hospitals.

Yesterday top specialists, including cardiologists and surgeons, gathered at State House to report to cabinet on these shortages.

Among them was Dr Henning du Toit, Namibia's top heart surgeon.

Dr Manojkumar Kamble, a specialist surgeon, who was also present during the presentation to cabinet, told Namibian Sun that their concerns were well received.

“There are solutions to most of the problems raised,” he stated.

According to Kamble, the cardiac team especially made a very strong presentation regarding their concerns.

“The concerns were well received and we have received good support from government.”

In the letter last week, the doctors expressed dissatisfaction with “unprecedented” shortages of basic supplies at the Katutura Intermediate and Windhoek Central hospitals that have reportedly been experienced for the last two months in operating theatres, wards and casualty departments.

The doctors suggested that the ministry stop all non-urgent surgery and undertake an emergency stock-taking and procure all consumables before surgical work proceeds.

Kamble said there was a misconception that the theatres would completely shut down.



“The theatres never close completely. There are always two theatres running in parallel with each other. It is just that during December we are operating on three times the volumes we are usually working on, with referrals coming in from the regions, while there are also some surgeons that want to spend time at home.”

Haufiku could not be reached for comment yesterday.





ELLANIE SMIT

Social impact assessment for Baynes incomplete

December 5, 2017, 2:00 pm

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Social impact assessment for Baynes incompleteStudy most likely to be completed in 2018 The Baynes hydropower project will be developed by the Angola – Namibia Permanent Joint Technical Commission on the Kunene River (PJTC) on behalf of the two governments. OGONE TLHAGE



A social impact assessment still needs to be completed before the governments of Namibia and Angola can go ahead with plans to construct the multibillion-dollar Baynes hydropower project.

The Namibian power utility indicated that the study may be completed in the last quarter of 2018, at which point discussions would start with the affected communities living in the area in which the dam and power station will be constructed.

“What still needs to be completed is the social impact assessment, which relates mainly to negotiations with the affected communities for their relocation from the site earmarked for the project,”Nampower said.

The environmental clearance is anticipated to be received from both the Angolan and Namibian environmental authorities during the last quarter of 2018, Nampower said.

The cost of the hydropower station, which includes the dam infrastructure, was estimated at US$1.37 billion based on 2010 estimates. The transmission infrastructure within Namibia is estimated at about N$2.6 billion.

The project is not being developed by NamPower but by Namibia and Angola through the Namibia-Angola Permanent Joint Technical Commission (PJTC) on the Kunene River, the power utility pointed out.

“NamPower is a participant in the Commission, and is tasked with providing administrative support as well as secondment of staff to the Baynes Project Office Windhoek, which operates from the NamPower offices,” it said in response to a query.

Mines and energy minister Obeth Kandjoze said the project was, however, delayed by the recent economic crisis.

“We are just waiting to recover financially so that the project can resume,” he said.

The power project is expected to produce about 600 megawatts (MW) of electricity.

The Baynes hydropower project is strategically important to both Angola and Namibia in tackling power supply deficits, Kandjoze added.

Like the Ruacana power station, the new dam will function as a mid-merit peaking station so that NamPower can avoid buying imported power during peak hours.

The Baynes power station is expected to run at full capacity during the wet season. During the dry season, generators will operate at maximum during peak periods only, while 71MW would be generated during the off-peak periods.

The Baynes hydropower station is a very valuable generation asset that has the potential of supplying Namibia and Angola with reliable, clean electricity for generations to come, making the estimated investment of US$1.2 billion well worth it.

-additional reporting by Nampa

Slight moderation in credit extended

December 5, 2017, 2:00 pm

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Slight moderation in credit extended STAFF REPORTER

The growth of private-sector credit extended moderated at the end of October 2017, decreasing slightly by 0.2 percentage points to end the month of at 5.2% according to the latest money and banking statistics released by the Bank of Namibia.

Growth in total credit extended to businesses continued its downward trend, as businesses continued to reduce their demand for short-term debt during October 2017.

“Annual growth in credit extended to businesses moderated from 2.4% at the end of September 2017 to 2.2% at the end of October 2017. The weak growth was reflected in most credit categories, driven by a decrease in the demand for short-term debt facilities,” the central bank said.

On a monthly basis, overdrafts extended to businesses fell by 4.9 percentage points to reach 5%, while other loans and advances contracted from a growth of 3% to 1.6% at the end of the month under review.

Annual growth in broad money supply (M2) slowed at the end of October 2017. The annual growth in M2 slowed to 8.8% at the end of October 2017, from 9.2 percent in September 2017.

The overall liquidity position of commercial banks moderated during October 2017. The overall liquidity position of the banking industry declined on a monthly basis, by N$701.1 million to N$2.9 billion during October 2017. The overall liquidity position declined to N$2.9 billion at the end of October 2017, from N$3.5 billion at the end of September 2017.

“The decrease in the overall liquidity position was as a result of cross border payments done during the month under review. The October 2017 average liquidity position was about N$1.7 billion higher than the N$1.1 billion average balance recorded in October 2016,” the central bank said.

Namibia’s overall inflation decreased to 5.2% during October 2017. The annual inflation rate slowed during October 2017 by 0.4 percentage points.

The stock of foreign reserves rose slightly at the end of October 2017.

“The level of international reserves rose to N$31.6 billion at the end of October 2017, from N$31.4 billion at the end of September 2017. The increase in the level of reserves was mainly due to inflows from Southern African Customs Union receipts,” the central bank said.

Young Warriors aim to reach Cosafa semi-finals

December 6, 2017, 2:00 pm

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Young Warriors aim to reach Cosafa semi-finals The national under-20 football team, the Young Warriors, have set themselves a target of reaching the semi-finals of the 2017 Council of Southern Africa Football Associations (Cosafa) Championships scheduled for Kitwe, Zambia, from 6 to 16 December.

Coach Gerhard Gunter said despite limited time for preparations the team's objective was to reach the last four spots.

The team returned to Namibia from Ghana over the weekend following a two-week training camp there.

“The camp was successful and players were able to focus on football.

The opposition was good and that has strengthened our team and as coaches we analyse players better when they are out of their comfort zones so going to Ghana was a blessing,” Gunter said. He added that they used the trip to try out new combinations in preparation for the tournament. The team jetted out to Zambia yesterday and will take on Angola tomorrow in their first game in Group C. They will play Lesotho on 10 December and then conclude group action against Zimbabwe on 12 December. All the games will be played at the Davis Arthur Stadium in Kitwe.

Group A consists of African champions Zambia, Swaziland, Malawi and East African guest nations Uganda.

Group B consists of last year's runners-up South Africa, Mozambique, Mauritius and North African guests Egypt.

The top teams in each pool advance to the semi-finals along with the best-placed runners-up.

Squad: Calvin Spiegel (Chief Santos) Vipua Tjimune (African Stars), Lubeni Haukongo and Aprocius Petrus (Eleven Arrows), Stanley Ndjavera (Tura Magic), Romario Hawiseb (Unam FC), Paul Kotjipati (Otjozondjupa), Migeri Hubert (Life Fighters ), Johannes Hollombach (Chief Santos), George Hummel (Unam FC), Anthony Kham, Rivaldo Festus ( both Eleven Arrows), Augustinus Hobexab (Eastern Chiefs), Eldery Morgan and Enzo Mungendje (both Tura Magic), Moegamat Davids (South Africa), Tuhafeni Leonard (TUKS, South Africa), Natangwe Petrus and Petrus Kamati.

*Additional reporting – NAMPA



LIMBA MUPETAMI

Desert Dash cyclists ready for action

December 6, 2017, 2:00 pm

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Desert Dash cyclists ready for action24-hour cycling endurance The 13th annual Nedbank Desert Dash will take place tomorrow. Around 900 hardcore cyclists will strap on helmets, stretch calves and pump up tyres for one of Namibia's most intense mountain-biking events of the year.

The cycling marathon covers 369 kilometres of mainly gravel road and must be completed within 24 hours. It starts at Grove Mall in Windhoek and ends at Tiger Reef in Swakopmund.

The cycling marathon has grown from strength to strength and has more than doubled in recent years.

This year, riders from Namibia, South Africa, Germany, Spain, India, Australia, Colombia, Austria and Poland will participate.

Most riders entered the marathon online, selling out entries for the four-man teams within seconds, something the organisers applauded.

The prize money amounts to about N$370 000 in total, with the winning solo riders in the men's and women's categories receiving N$34 000 each. Two-person teams can win N$20 000, and the winning four-person team will walk away with N$13 000. Those in second and third place will also win prizes.

In a statement earlier this year, Nedbank Namibia said the format for 2017 remained the same as last year, when they changed the two-person team format from a normal relay system to one rider doing one half of the race and the other the second half.

“The only real change as far as rules are concerned is that we now require a minimum of two woman riders in a four-person team to qualify for mixed team status, as in previous years one woman rider was the minimum requirement.”

It also said that the Desert Dash had grown from strength to strength in terms of race entries. To ensure that a high calibre event is provided, the race entries are capped to accommodate a total of 1 000 riders.

Today at 14:30 cyclists are expected to register at the Grove Mall.



LIMBA MUPETAMI

Silver for basketball team

December 6, 2017, 2:00 pm

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Silver for basketball teamNam takes second place The Namibian basketball team scooped silver in the recent IBF 3x3 Young Lions Cup tournament held in Botswana. The IBF Young Lions Cup 3x3 Tournament 2017 was the first of its kind in Africa, where 15 teams from nine countries - Zimbabwe, Djibouti, Seychelles, Mauritius, Swaziland, Burundi, Botswana, Comoros and Namibia - took part.

The Namibian under-18 girls came second while the boys took sixth place. The basketball team consisted of eight players and one official. Zimbabwe took gold, while Botswana took the bronze medal.

Ramah Mumba, the NBF secretary-general, said Namibia made history with the big achievement. He said the girls' team represented the country well and that they hoped to intensify their programme next year and to continue improving.

In the boys' under-18 tournament Zimbabwe took gold, followed by Seychelles with silver.

Mumba thanked all the partners and sponsors, such as the Namibian National Olympic Committee (NNOC), Namibia Sports Commission (NSC), OTB, Streethouse, Fresh FM and Joachim Spaegele, for making the trip possible for the players.

The tournament results will be used as a qualifier for the Youth Olympic Games next year.

LIMBA MUPETAMI

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Hainyeko Primary wins tournament money

December 6, 2017, 2:00 pm

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Hainyeko Primary wins tournament money Tobias Hainyeko Primary School were crowned the winners of the Namibia Football Association (NFA) Build It under-13 soccer tournament makeover drive in March and on Tuesday received make-over materials worth N$20 000.

The Crown Build-It Schools under-13 seven-a-side competition involved 16 Windhoek primary schools and took place at the NFA Technical Centre.

Tobias Hainyeko Primary School got the most points from the judges to win the N$20 000 make-over prize from Crown Build-It, despite losing 2-1 on penalties in the final match against Olaf Palme Primary School.

At the formal handover on Tuesday at Tobias Hainyeko Primary School in Katutura, principal Laban Shidute said they put a lot of work into winning the competition.

“The teachers and parents were very helpful, and the materials we won will help to renovate the administration block because we had another ongoing project which is currently helping with the entire school,” Shidute said.

He thanked Build It and NFA for providing a platform for young boys to showcase their talents and said the school looked forward to more competitions like these.

Riaan Van Staden, Crown Build It Katutura manager, said it was not about making more money or increasing turnover but about investing in the future, which would automatically have an effect on their future as a business.

“We hope that these children will be the future stars and feature in the national teams.

“We chose the age group 13 because it is the age that most children figure out which sports they want to do and it's a good exposure to the NFA and women's football.

“We surely don't want to end here; we wish to continue with this initiative in the coming years,” Van Staden said.

The initiative is expected to branch out to every town where Crown Build It has outlets next year.





NFA

Hino targets record book in Dakar Rally 2018

December 6, 2017, 2:00 pm

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Hino targets record book in Dakar Rally 2018Aims for 9th straight win The demanding route will be made up of 5 000 km of timed, racing stages and 4 000 km of road sections between the timed stages. The Hino team continues to battle with its rivals under the motto 'small can prevail over large'. - Yoshimasa Sugawara, principal: Team Hino Sugawara Hino Motors, of Japan, aims to rewrite the record book in the 208 Dakar Rally which takes place in January, starting in Lima, Peru, on the 6th, with a rest day in La Paz, Bolivia on the 12th and finishes in Cordoba, Argentina on the 20th.

This will be the 40th edition of the famous and very demanding Dakar Rally and the fourth to be staged in South America. The demanding route will be made up of 5 000 km of timed, racing stages and 4 000 km of road sections between the timed stages.

Hino, which was the first Japanese truck manufacturer to enter the Dakar Rally in 1991, will be aiming for its third consecutive 1-2 finish, ninth straight win in the class for trucks with engines under 10 litres capacity and the 35th consecutive entry by driver and director of Hino Team Sugawara, Yoshimasa Sugawara.

Yoshimasa, nicknamed Iron Man of the Dakar and now 76, entered the motorcycle category of the Dakar Rally in 1983 and has competed in every event since then. His partnership with Hino began in 1992 when the rally ended in Cape Town. His 34th entry in the 2017 Dakar was recognised as a Guinness World Record.



Team leader

Yoshimasa's son, Teruhito, is the team's lead driver and last year achieved his eighth consecutive win in the under 10-litre category, rewriting the record book which had previously seen Hino notch seven successive class wins between 1996 and 2002.

The team will again enter two Hino 500 four-wheel drive trucks with turbocharged, 9-litre engines developing 515 kW (600 ps) at 2 400r/min in Truck No. 2, to be crewed by Teruhito Sugawara and navigator Mitsugu Takahashi, and slightly downrated at 493 kW (670 ps) at 2 300 r/min in Truck No. 1, to be crewed by Yoshimasa Sugawara and navigator Katsumi Hamura. In both cases the engines deliver 2 314 N.m of torque at 1 200r/min. Transmission is via a six-speed gearbox with hi-lo shifting. Each truck carries 700 litres of fuel.

Significant changes have been made to the suspension and other aspects of these racing trucks since the 2017 Dakar Rally. In addition, the team has participated in the Silkway Rally and Rally Mongolia in the intervening months to ensure the trucks are both fast and reliable as the team prepares to take on the rigours of the 2018 Dakar Rally.

Team Hino Sugawara will be backed up by a team of technicians selected from Hino dealerships in Japan.

There are 44 entries in the truck category for the 2018 Dakar Rally made up of 12 brands. MAN is the most popular brand in the field with 11 entries. The remainder of competing brands are: Mercedes-Benz and DAF (5 each), Kamaz, Iveco and Tatra (4 each), Maz and Renault (3 each), Hino (2), Ginaf, Scania and Liaz (1 each).

“While the top positions in the truck category of the Dakar Rally are dominated by monster trucks with engines having capacities of more than 10 litres, the Hino team continues to battle with its rivals under the motto 'small can prevail over large',” said Yoshimasa Sugawara, the team principal of Team Hino Sugawara.

“We are very proud that we continue to rewrite the records on reliability by bringing together Hino's engineering capabilities in truck design, development, manufacturing, and servicing expertise, with a closely-knit team that has accumulated a great deal of experience over the years. We are looking forward to the challenges that the 2018 Dakar Rally will throw at us.”

-MotorPress

Lessons from Tomsk

December 6, 2017, 2:00 pm

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Lessons from TomskEffective TB strategy devised Russian health authorities have managed to devise a model strategy, hailed internationally, to treat TB and they believe Namibia can learn from mutual cooperation in this regard. The Russian Federation in cooperation with the World Health Organisation (WHO), last month hosted the first-ever WHO Global Ministerial Conference under the theme 'Ending TB in the Sustainable Development Era: A multisectoral approach', in Moscow. The two-day conference, which was attended by ministers from across the globe, including Namibian health minister Bernard Haufiku, led to the Moscow Declaration.

The declaration undertakes to end TB by 2030, primarily through a multisectoral approach which includes political will, financing of projects, research and development, the advancement of universal health coverage and minimising the spread of drug-resistant tuberculosis across the world.

At the conference, Russia announced a donation of US$15 million to WHO in 2018-2020 for the fight against TB.

“Cooperation between Russia and WHO will not only benefit Russian citizens, but all the citizens of UN member states,” President Vladimir Putin said.

TB remains a global problem, particularly in poorer communities across the world, and in prisons. High levels of alcohol use and drug abuse also correlate with a high incidence of TB. Due to its infectious nature, TB is notoriously difficult to combat. Russia has the world's 11th highest burden of tuberculosis and WHO figures indicate that around 120 000 Russian citizens suffer from TB.

The country has battled TB for decades but, following the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1990, the disease took on epidemic proportions. Healthcare practitioners, and researchers alike, report that support systems all but collapsed. Drug shortages, and a lack of finance and infrastructure made adequate healthcare for TB, including monitoring patients, all but impossible. Prior to 1990, the Soviet government had managed to reduce infection levels and keep the disease under control through effective monitoring and medication. Rates of TB were quite low in 1990 with roughly 30 cases per 100 000.

The disease peaked a decade later, in 2000, with up to 90 cases per 100 000 citizens and a mortality rate in the region of 20 to 25 patients per 100 000.

In cooperation with WHO, the Russian authorities took control. In 2001, a new law making TB testing mandatory, was effected. Testing was done through radiography but this was later, in 2002, changed to the DOTS treatment endorsed by WHO. DOTS originally stood for Directly Observed Treatment, Short course but now, it is set to include a five element strategy including political commitment, case detection, standardised treatment with supervision and patient support, effective drug supply and management, and systems to treat progress and evaluate the programme's performance.

A little more than a decade later, programmes launched in Russia have become a model for TB treatment across the world.

“It was not easy. Russia, classified as a high-income country, receives less aid in certain sectors, so funds had to be mobilised from State resources to effectively deal with TB in the country,” the Russian deputy health minister Dr Dmitry Kostennikov said.

Oksana Ponomarenko, Russia's country director for Partners in Health, has been working on TB programmes for more than 15 years.

The treatment strategy in the city of Tomsk, in the east of Western Siberia, is one such a programme. According to Ponomarenko, the TB explosion in 1990 followed as crime rates increased, coupled with increased incarceration, and funding dried up.

“High rates of penal incarceration due to increased poverty and crime rates resulted in the spread of drug-sensitive and drug-resistant TB.”

Primary challenges that had to be faced included adequate infection control measures, including in prisons, and outpatient care in the ambulatory sector.

In Tomsk, Ponomarenko explained, an innovative programme has shown great success, becoming a global example due to the model of ambulatory, or outpatient care that has been developed and implemented.

The programme in Tomsk combined different health services allowing them to work in partnership. This includes psychiatric services, HIV care, drug addiction services and TB care. These were combined into a package serving as a holistic approach for TB care.

“For example, a patient can travel to one dispensary to receive both HIV and TB care. This interconnectedness has been the foundation of our success.”

To add further impetus, in 2006, Sputnik, a care programme for the most vulnerable members of society, was launched. This programme serves the homeless, those suffering from chronic alcoholism, drug addiction and behavioural challenges. Twice a day, Sputnik staff must find each patient in the programme, deliver the correct medication, ensuring it is taken properly and distribute food parcels. The cure rates in 2013 were as high as 90% and the programme is being rolled out to other regions in Russia.

The Tomsk project has been a pioneer for TB treatment and research based on this specific project has prevented future mistakes in other programmes.

Based on successes achieved at Tomsk, a new regulation took effect in Russia in 2012. This regulation controls the organisation and treatment of TB patients and it places specific emphasis on the model of ambulatory care. This includes the distribution of food parcels, public transportation subsidies so patients can reach the clinics, the use of community health workers who go out and see the patients, and increased monitoring.

Essentially, what has been done in Tomsk is now the official policy of the Russian health ministry in combating TB.

What has been learnt from the Tomsk successes is that the traditional model of keeping a TB patient in a facility and providing in-patient care for months is unsuccessful. Not only is efficient out-patient care significantly cheaper, it is also easier for the patient. Policymakers with regard to TB treatment and care, have come to realise this and Tomsk has been a WHO-recognised model for the world in this regard.

Namibia and Russia have much common ground in the fight against TB. According to Dr Kostennikov, both countries battle a high incidence of TB in adult males and in prisons and both countries have isolated far-off communities that need to be served. The excessive use of alcohol, correlated with high rates of TB, also occurs in both countries.

“We have managed to devise a strategy that works with outreaches and an out-patient system which is cheaper and very effective. It takes some coordination but I think Namibia can learn a lot from the way Russia has, and is, dealing with its TB patients,” Kostennikov said.

Russia and Namibia have good bilateral relations although the primary focus is on military cooperation and education.

The Russian government has expressed its desire for enhanced cooperation and trade and the field of healthcare is one of the focal points for the Putin administration.

RUSSIAN EMBASSY

Geingob a li moonyandi omolwa onkalo yiipangelo

December 6, 2017, 2:00 pm

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Geingob a li moonyandi omolwa onkalo yiipangeloHaufiku naMwoombola ya kunkililwa Onkalo yomananathano gopaumwene pokati kaminista guundjolowele opamwe naamushanga muuministeli mboka itayi vulu okupitikwa yi teye po oshikondo shuundjolowele moshilongo, pahapu Omupresidende Hage Geingob okwa gandja elombwelo opo ominista yuundjolowele pamwe namushanga moshikondo shoka ya hulithe po onkalo yawo yomananathano ndjoka taku popiwa tayi tula moshiponga oshikondo shuundjolowele. Geingob okwa yelitha kutya omananathano pokati koominista noohamushanga yawo itaga vulu okwiidhidhimikilwa nongele otaga tsikile nena aanambelewa mboka naya ze mo miilonga.

Ekunkililo ndika olya ningwa pethimbo lyomutumba gwahugunina gwokabinete komumvo ngoka gwa ningilwa mEgumbo lyEpangelo mEtiyali lyoshiwike shika.

Omutumba ngoka ogwa landulwa koshigongi shomiyelo dha pata, moka ominista yuundjolowele Bernard Haufiku, pamwe noondohotola naanambelewa yuunamiti ya tseyithile okabinete kombinga yonkalo ndjoka ya taalela iipangelo.

Osha lopotwa kutya uuministeli owa taalela ompumbwe yomiti niikwanipangitho miipangelo unene shaKatutura, Windhoek Central oshowo moshipangelo shaShakati.

Pethimbo lyomutumba ngoka gwa ningwa niilyo yokabinete, Geingob okwa popi kutya nonando oshikondo shuundjolowele osha kala tashi shi enditha nawa moomvula dha piti, onkalo moshikondo shoka oya nayipala noonkondo.

Okwa popi kutya uupyakadhi wa taalela oshikondo shoka okwa lopotwa tawu etithwa komananathanao ngoka geli pokati kaminista Haufiku oshowo amushanga gwe Andreas Mwoombola.

“Aantu yamwe otaya popi kutya ope na omananathano pokati kaminista namushanga gwe,” Geingob a popi. Geingob okwa lombwele Haufiku kutya ngele okuna omananathano namushanga gwe nena ota ndopeke oshikondo shuundjolowele. Geingob okwa popi kutya okwa haluthwa konkalo ndjoka, ta yelitha kutya itashi vulika ku kale omananathano pokati komuhona gwiilonga naamboka yeli kohi yelelo lye. “Otamu longi ngiini ngaaka? Sha hala okutya itamu vulu okuninga iigongi pamwe, nenge mu popithathane molwaashoka ope na uutondwe pokati keni.” Geingob okwa lombwele oominista opo kadhi pitike oohamushanga yawo ye ya kondolole.

“Oominista kaleni mu na oonkondo. Otamu pitika oohamushanga yemukondolole.”

Omuleli okwa gandja woo elombwelo komuprima Saara Kuugongelwa-Amadhila opo a kwashilipaleke kutya mboka itaya vulu okulongela pamwe oya kuthwa iinakugwanithwa yawo.

Omuprima okwa koleke kutya Haufiku okwa li a yi kombelewa ye ta keme kutya kuuvitile ombili elongelo lye pamwe naMwoombola.

“Otu na ontseyo kutya minista okwa holola omalimbililo ge kombinga nkene iilonga tayi longwa muumunisteli. Omulandu ogwa tamekithwa nale okutala monkalo ndjoka, nomulandu otagu tsikile molwaashoka otu na okuninga omatokolo taku landulwa ompango.”



Omalimbililo

Omasiku gapiti, oondohotola dhomwaalu gwontumba odha shangele minista ombaapila tadhi nyenyeta kombinga yompumbwe yomiti niikwathitho mbyoka ya taalela iipangelo.

Metiyali, aanawino momapango ga yooloka mboka ya gongala pEgumbo lyepangeo oya lopotele okabineta onkalo ndjoka ya taalela. Mokati kawo, omwa li Omundohotola

Dr Henning du Toit, ngoka el i omundohotola gwopombanda metando lyomitima moNamibia.

Dr Manojkumar Kamble, ngoka naye a li pomutumba ngoka okwa lombwele oNamibian Sun kutya omakemo gawo oga taambiwako nawa.

Mombaapila yawo ndjoka ya shanga omasiku gapiti, oondohotola odha popi nkene dha taalela onkalo yanayipala kehe esiku miilonga yawo, omolwa ompumbwe yiikwaniipangitho miitandelo, momawalanda nomiipangelo unene itatu iinene moshilongo

Oya gandja omagwedhelepo opo uuministeli wu hulithepo manga omatando ngoka inaga endelela ko kuvule okugandjwa iikwaniipangitho mbyoka tayi pumbiwa momatando ngoka geendelela nogopaulumomhumbwe.

Minista Haufiku ina vula okumonika mEtiyali opo a vule okutya sha kombinga yonkalo ndjoka.



ELLANIE SMIT

Omulilo omutilithi onkene tagu tsikile

December 6, 2017, 2:00 pm

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Omulilo omutilithi onkene tagu tsikile Ofamili yaMukwiilongo moshitopolwa shaMusati onkene tayi tsikile nokumona iihuna omolwa omulilo tagu limbililike ngoka tagu tsikile nokuhanagulapo omaliko gofamili ndjoka.

Omasiku ga piti natango egumbo lyofamili ndjoka olya hwikwapo komulilo ngoka gwa hanagulapo iinima ayihe mbyoka yali ya pewa omagano aanegumbo mboka kaanamutimahenda oshowo kelelo lyoshitopolwa shawo, shalandula omulilo ngoka gwa hwikepo egumbo lyawo momasiku 18 gaNovemba.

Ofamili ndjoka oyi li momalimbilio omolwa omulilo ngoka gwa faalela woo muJuli omwenyo gwomukokele gwomimvo 88.

Kansela gwoshikandjohogololo shaTamanzi. Johannes Iiyambo okwa koleke oshiningwanima shoka koshifokundaneki shoNamibian Sun, ta popi kutya iinima ayihe mbyoka yali ya pewa omagano ofamili ndjoka ngaash iikulya, iinguma, iizalomwa oya hanagulwapo komulilo. Iiyambo okwa popi kutya monena ofamili ndjoka oyi li owala kohi yomuti pondje yegumbo lyawo omolwa uutile. Kansela okwa popi kutya shoka taya vulu okuninga ngashiingeyi okulongekidha opo ofamili ndjoka yi ningilwe omagalikano mEtitatu twa taalela. Albertina Iita Mukwiilongo, omonakadhona gwaChristofina Shetunyenga okwa popi kutya omulilo ngoka gwa holoka omasiku ngaka ogu li omuti 12 tagu holoka konima nkene gwa holoka lwotango momasiku gahamano gaJuli nuumvo. Okwa popi kutya momasiku 24 gaNovemba okwa li ku na iikogo na oya li ye shi omvula na oya tokola okutula iinima ayihe mbyoka ya pewa omagano mondunda yimwe, konima owala yethimbo oya mono olwithi talu zi mondunda ndjoka, niinima ayihe oya hanagulwapo.

ILENI NANDJATO

Oshikumungu shemino mekango lyomongwa tashi tsikile

December 6, 2017, 2:00 pm

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Oshikumungu shemino mekango lyomongwa tashi tsikileShifeta taka ya moonkundwa noshigwana Ominista yomidhongoloko pamwe nakomufala gwomidhingoloko oya tokola opo ya ye metalelepo mekango lyomongwa monooli yEtosha, okutala ketokolo ndyoka lya ningwaoomvula dha piti tali yi moshipala emino lyoshimongwa mekango ndyoka. Minista Pohamba Shifeta pamwe nakomufala gwomidhingoloko,Teofilus Nghitila, otaya ka konaakona ekango lyomongwa lya Otjivalunda ndyoka tali adhika monooli yEtosha, mEtitano.

Shifeta okwa tegelelwa a ka ninge etokolo nokugandja omaiyuvo kombinga yoshikumungu shehangano lyoGecko Namibia ndyoka lya ningi eindilo tali pataneke etokolo ndyoka lya ningwa ku komufala gwomidhingoloko Nghitila mo 2014, opo kaku gandjwe omukanda tagu pitika emino lyoshimongwa mekango ndyoka.

Gecko Namibia okwa tameke oompangela dhe dhokuindila emino lyoshimongwa mOtjivalunda mo 2012.

Pahapu dhomunambelewa omukuluntu gwehangano ndyoka, Pine van Wyk, oya hala okutota ehangano lyokulonga oothewa. Opoloyeka ndjoka otayi yambidhidhwa woo kungoloneya gwoshitopolwa shaShana, Clemens Kashuupulwa ,ihe oya tindwa kaakwashigwana yomOtjivalunda oshowo moIipumbu yaTshilongo Conservancy.

Opoloyeka ndjoka yoGecko Namibia (Pty) Ltd, otayi ningwa tayi kwathelwa komeho okupitila mehangano ndyoka li li oshitopolwa shoGecko Otjivalunda Holdings (Pty) Ltd, oli na mo oopresenda 50 dhiipambuliko mehangano lyOndonga-Uukwambi Mining Enterprises (Pty) Ltd (OUME), ndyoka olyo li na omukandapitiko gwokumina gwoiexclusive prospecting licence (EPL) 4365.

Iipambuliko yoopresenda 50 oyehangano lyOUME ndyoka li li ehangano lyomuhanga lyelelo lyaNdonga oshowo lyUukwambi.

Gecko Namibia pamwe nOUME, oya ya mbidhidhwa koEnviro Dynamics, opo yangonge po oEnvironmental Impact Assessment (EIA) mo 2013 yi na sha niilonga yokumina oshimongwa mekango ndyoka. EIA oya gandjwa kuuministeli womidhingoloko momasiku ga 6 gaDesemba mo 2013, na komufala gwomidhongoloko okwa li tindi eindilo ndyoka pambelelwa momasiku 24 gaJuli 2014.

Komufala Teofilus Nghitila, okwa popi kutya emino lyoludhi ndoka otali yonagula po onkalo yopaushitwe yekango ndyoka , tashi etitha ekango li pwine omongwa, na otashi uthwa kompango yEkwatonawa lyOmidhogoloko opo ku gamenwe omidhingoloko okuza komayonagulo ngoka haga ningwa kaantu.

Nghitila okwa popi woo kombinga yomuthigululwakalo ngoka gwa kala nokuningwa na otagu tsikile moka aalumentu haya tumwa omongwa kekango onga omukalo gwokuulika kutya oya koka, oshowo sho omongwa gwa kala hagu longithwa momapindikathano unene kaakwashigwana yomuhoko gwaaHai//om San oshowo Aawambo. Gecko okwa ningi eindilo kuminista momasiku 7 ga Aguste mo 2014 naVan Wyk okwa popi moshiwike sha piti kutya natango oya tegelela eyamukulo okuza kuminista.

Etokolo lyakomufala inali taambiwako woo kuKashuupulwa, ngoka a popi kutya ina ningwa naye ekwatathano kuNghitila opamwe nosheendo she shoka sha yi moonkundathana nomalelo gopamuthigululwakalo naakwashigwana yomOtjivalunda, mboka itaya popile opoloyeka ndjoka, nomatompelo guuthiga wopamuthigululwakalo.

Mo 2015 Kashuupulwa okwa nyenyeta kombinga yetokolo ndyoka, komuprima minista Saara Kuugongelwa-Amadhila oshowo omupeha minista gwiikwamina Kornelia Shilunga.

Shifeta, ngoka ta ka kala pamwe nomunambelewa omukuluntu moshikondo shegameno lyomidhingoloko Rehabeam Erki, otaka ninga omutumba naakwashigwana mwEengombe center mUuvuthiya. Kakele kOtjivalunda, Shifeta okwa tegelelwa a ka talelepo omahala ga gamenwa ngaashi Uukwaluudhi, Sheya Shuushona oshowo Epupa, hoka ta ka ninga oonundathana naaleli yopamuthigululwakalo naakwashigwana.

ILENI NANDATO

US Police recover stolen Ferrari

December 6, 2017, 2:00 pm

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US Police recover stolen Ferrari Santa Ana police recovered a Ferrari 458 Spider that was reported stolen. Police approached a man who was reportedly asking for money to fill-up the supercar.

When approached the man fled but was later arrested, police said.

The vehicle was stolen from a Ferrari service centre.

The nearly U$ 300 000 supercar was trashed, with body damage, a ruined transmission, badges torn from the engine and bodywork, missing paddle shifts and "vomit caked on the side," reports the LA Times.

The white 458 Spider (2015) had been reported stolen about two weeks earlier from the Ferrari & Maserati of Newport Beach service centre in Costa Mesa.

The owner, Susan Friedman, went to the service center October 19 to collect her vehicle but employees couldn’t locate it. Security footage showed a man wearing a Ferrari jacket driving off in the supercar.

Earlier in November, a bystander reported the Ferrari being driven recklessly in Santa Ana. A Santa Ana officer found the Ferrari at a fuel station on East Dyer.

Ultimately, Friedman used her insurance claim to purchase a 2018 Lamborghini Huracán.-Wheels24

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Jeep® Grand Cherokee SRT wins big

December 6, 2017, 2:00 pm

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Jeep® Grand Cherokee SRT wins big Readers' top choice The vehicle has claimed the top honours in the Auto Bild Sports Cars readers' choice award. The high performance Jeep® Grand Cherokee SRT has been honored by readers of the influential German magazine Auto Bild Sports Cars. The powerful Jeep model scooped the readers’ choice award for best import in the Vans and SUV category.

This is the first time the famously knowledgeable readers of the magazine have chosen a Jeep model as a winner, underlining the huge appeal of the sports inspired premium SUV.

The 2017 edition of the awards saw a total of 110 models compete across 15 categories.

Among the standout features that saw the Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT win its category, was its 6.4-litre HEMI V8 naturally-aspirated engine. Generating 344 kW of power and an impressive torque of 624 Nm at just 4,100 r/min without turbocharging from its hemispherical combustion chambers, it's considered one of the last high-performance naturally-aspirated engines.

The award demonstrates the versatility of the Jeep brand and proves that its extensive range of off-road vehicles and SUVs is winning-over even the most demanding fans of high-performance vehicles in Germany.

Jeep Grand Cherokee is the flagship of the Jeep brand and the most awarded SUV ever. Since its introduction in 1992, it represents the Jeep benchmark in terms of power, comfort, innovation and craftsmanship.

This year, Grand Cherokee celebrates 25 years of 4x4 leadership – a milestone underscoring how it has defined the premium SUV market, while bringing to life the Jeep brand's pioneering spirit and quest for technical innovation.

Available locally with a full line-up of 5 trim levels - Laredo, Limited, Overland, Summit, SRT - and the new Trackhawk that will be introduced around the middle of 2018, the Grand Cherokee has sold more than 6 million units worldwide since its introduction 25 years ago.-QuickPic

The new Range Rover SVAutobiography

December 6, 2017, 2:00 pm

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The new Range Rover SVAutobiographyFirst-class motoring at its finest Make luxury part of your life-story. “The SVAutobiography badge identifies our most luxurious vehicles in the same way the SVR and SVX monikers denote our most potent and capable derivatives.” John Edwards, Managing Director of Jaguar Land Rover Special Operations. The luxury SUV has a new benchmark thanks to the introduction of the Range Rover SVAutobiography.

The new model delivers a peerless combination of craftsmanship and technology, epitomising the pinnacle of luxury travel that Range Rover represents and making every journey a treasured experience whether driving or being driven.

Available in long wheelbase, the Range Rover SVAutobiography combines advanced new convenience features, including rear doors that close at the touch of a button, to create a sanctuary for relaxation that doubles as a mobile tech hub.

A comprehensive range of powertrain options includes an advanced new plug-in hybrid electric-petrol, with an EV range of up to 51 km, and an uprated 416 kW V8 supercharged petrol engine.

Executive Class rear seats are central to the appeal of the luxurious new model. Combined with the long-wheelbase body, they offer rear legroom of over 1.2 m while deep seat foams with new comfort interlayers deliver enhanced passenger wellbeing. With a powered 40-degree recline capability, hot stone massage function, heated calf and foot rests, and 22-way adjustment, the rear cabin promises a peerless passenger experience.

Dramatic

A dramatic fixed centre console extends the full length of the cabin and the new model also allows passengers to close the rear doors using conveniently located buttons on the rear console.

Electrically deployable rear tables and integrated rear entertainment screens ensure customers can use the 4G WiFi connectivity to work or relax in comfort, while a concealed refrigerator between the twin rear seats can hold two wine bottles or four 600 ml bottles. The right-hand rear seat folds to accommodate long items and customers can also specify a Power Deployable Veneered Loadspace Floor for the first time, making loading and unloading luggage easier than ever.

With convenience features providing a first-class customer experience, the attention to detail delivers new levels of sophistication. An exclusive new Zenith clock features on the rear centre console, inspired by the Elite 6150 watch. Its knurled bezel complements the finish on the start/stop button, gear shifter and pedals.

Jaguar Land Rover’s elegant and intuitive Touch Pro Duo infotainment system with twin high-definition touchscreen controls is a digital butler fit for the 21st Century. Information can be swiped from one screen to the other, delivering unrivalled functionality and ease of use.

Hand-finished

“We continue to refine and hone our flagship Range Rover. Highly sophisticated and with a unique combination of British sensibilities, the Range Rover SVAutobiography reinforces Range Rover’s status of peerless excellence,” said Gerry McGovern, Chief Design Officer, Land Rover.

The Range Rover SVAutobiography will be hand-finished exclusively at the SVO Technical Centre in Warwickshire, UK, and made its global motor show debut at the Los Angeles International Auto Show on 29 November 2017. The event saw the new Range Rover SVAutobiography presented alongside the extreme Discovery SVX and the powerful Range Rover Sport SVR, as well as the driver-focused SVAutobiography Dynamic, for the first time.

“The SVAutobiography badge identifies our most luxurious vehicles in the same way the SVR and SVX monikers denote our most potent and capable derivatives. The arrival of the enhanced Range Rover SVAutobiography further strengthens the peerless luxury pillar of the SV family,” said John Edwards, Managing Director of Jaguar Land Rover Special Operations. - MotorPress

Shot of the day

December 6, 2017, 2:00 pm

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Shot of the day NOT HOME YET: A general view shows part of the Kutupalong refugee camp in Cox's Bazar on 27 November. Rohingya are still fleeing into Bangladesh even after an agreement was signed with Myanmar to repatriate hundreds of thousands of the Muslim minority displaced along the border, officials said. The arrangement struck by the neighbours on Thursday raised the prospect of at least 700 000 Rohingya Muslims living in overcrowded camps in south eastern Bangladesh being returned to Myanmar. Photo: NAMPA/AFP

Transparency is paramount

December 6, 2017, 2:00 pm

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Transparency is paramount Journalists are often criticised for simply doing their work, especially when playing the watchdog role in monitoring the conduct of government officials. Some leaders in government have serious misgivings about the media and are the first to question and vilify the work of journalists. Obviously, journalists are not perfect and also have their weaknesses, but the media performs a role that is vital in our democracy. As such, journalists will have to play a key role in promoting a democratic culture as well as enhancing the socio-economic development of our country. The media is also expected to shape public opinion on issues of the day. However, this can only be properly achieved if institutions, which are accountable to the public, promote a culture of honesty and openness. Accountability will be meaningless if ministries and parastatals do not place a huge premium on transparency. Public institutions are there to serve the people in the first place and information sharing is just as critical. Gaining access to information is necessary for ordinary citizens to make informed decisions about issues affecting them. How do we encourage active citizenship if the powers that be are reluctant to share information with the public and members of the media? The recent report compiled by the Institute for Public Policy Research (IPPR) concluded that 80% of public and private entities are found wanting when it comes to sharing information, especially when requested by civil society and the media. In reality, very few leaders practice true transparency within their organisations in this country. This is despite calls to ensure greater openness and transparency within the public and private sectors. The selective dissemination of information discourages public participation in policymaking and this does not augur well for a democracy like Namibia where a strong emphasis should be placed on greater accountability and transparency. We must see freedom of expression and the right to information as basic human rights. It is critical that everyone should rally and unite behind the media and civil society organisations in their call for access to information.

Namibia sends more cops to Darfur

December 6, 2017, 2:00 pm

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Namibia sends more cops to Darfur Namibia is to deploy 35 police officers to Sudan's Darfur as part of its contribution to the United Nations-African Union peacekeeping mission, the Namibian police announced yesterday. Nampol deputy chief Desiderius Shilunga encouraged the police officers during yesterday’s briefing to maintain a high standard of good conduct, discipline and hard work. “Hard work, dedication, discipline and exceptional service delivery are the cornerstone of any personal and organisational success, and will make your tour duty seamless, should you commit to those values that we as Namibians are known for,” he said. Some 15 officers were deployed in November under the same mission. This group will depart in the coming two weeks. Detective Sergeant Maria Nakupanga, who will be deployed through the peacekeeping mission, said she was ready to travel to Sudan and represent both the force and her country. “We are leaving our families behind and are going to serve our country in solidarity with other African nations. I am happy because I am going to assist women and children in Sudan,” she said. Inspector Eino Kamuwanyama said the officers who are deployed were prepared for Darfur. “I am really proud and I know that it can be a challenge to be in Sudan, but we all went through vigorous training and we are going to that country to restore peace and fulfil our duties,” he said. The peacekeeping mission was sanctioned by the United Nations in 2007 and seeks to bring stability to the war-torn Darfur region while peace talks on a final settlement continue.

SHONA NGAVA