Robert Mugabe told delegates he welcomed the fact that his wife had exposed his deputy's plot

Continue reading the main sThe rise of Grace Mugabe

Zimbabwe's president has spoken of his anger that his embattled deputy Joyce Mujuru allegedly plotted to assassinate him and accused her of being a thief.

Speaking at the ruling Zanu-PF party's congress, Robert Mugabe said he would act against all corrupt officials.

Mrs Mujuru's absence from the congress showed she was "scared", he added.

Recently expelled Zanu-PF member Rugare Gumbo told the BBC the 90-year-old leader had "completely" turned the party into his "personal property".

Mr Mugabe had targeted Mrs Mujuru to advance the "fortunes" of his wife Grace, the former Zanu-PF spokesman added.

Mrs Mujuru, who has previously denied the allegations, had been seen as a potential successor to Mr Mugabe, with whom she fought for Zimbabwe's independence from white-minority rule.

Many Zanu-PF members are still fiercely loyal to Mr Mugabe

Thousands of delegates attended the congress

However, her career ran into trouble when Mrs Mugabe entered into politics this year, and accused her of plotting against her husband.

The congress, being held in the capital Harare, is expected to elect the first lady as the head of Zanu-PF's women's wing.

'Bribing delegates'

Mr Mugabe, who has ruled Zimbabwe since independence in 1980, will remain as Zanu-PF leader.

He told thousands of delegates that he welcomed the fact that his wife had exposed Mrs Mujuru's attempt to oust him.

"Thieves never succeed... look at all the transgressions. Her corruption is now exposed," Mr Mugabe said.

At the scene: BBC Africa's Brian Hungwe

The congress hall was packed with about 10,000 delegates. Some of them cheered when Mr Mugabe spoke; others remained quiet, suggesting they are worried about the divisions that have wracked the ruling party as the president consolidates his hold on power.

Leaders such as Joyce Mujuru and Didimus Mutasa have been Zanu-PF cadres for more than four decades, and command a huge following. They are now out in the cold, accused by Mr Mugabe of being key figures in a "cabal" opposed to his leadership.

Rugare Gumbo, expelled from Zanu-PF as part of the purge, told the BBC the party was not "moving forward" and could "collapse".

But War Veterans Association chairman Chris Mutsvangwa said it had addressed its "afflictions without too much ructions" and it would now focus on improving Zimbabwe's struggling economy. The 90-year-old leader is expected to appoint loyalists to key positions later in the week.

Mr Mugabe, while speaking in the local Shona language, said Mrs Mujuru planned to assassinate him but in English he only accused her of trying to have him "kicked out" by bribing delegates.

"But you delegates are not foolish. You can't be bought," Mr Mugabe added.

Vowing to tackle corruption, Mr Mugabe said: "If you were a minister, you will lose your job. Some will face the full might of the law."

Joyce Mujuru was once a staunch ally of Mr Mugabe

Mrs Mujuru was first accused in the state-owned media of plotting to kill Mr Mugabe and has instructed her lawyers to take legal action to clear her name.

Referring to her and her allies' failure to attend the congress, Mr Mugabe said: "As you see we have empty spaces on the stage. We didn't chase them away but they chose not to come."

Correspondents say Justice Minister Emmerson Mnangagwa is now among the candidates being tipped to succeed Mrs Mujuru, her long-time rival.

Mrs Mujuru took part in the 1970s guerrilla war against white-minority rule when her nom de guerre was Teurai Ropa (Spill Blood).

She married Solomon Mujuru, the former army chief seen as Zimbabwe's king-maker in 1977. He died in a fire at his farm in 2011.

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Mmiliki wa Kampuni ya Kufua Umeme ya IPTL, Habirnder Seth Singh.

Mmiliki wa Kampuni ya Kufua Umeme ya IPTL, Habirnder Seth Singh amesema anafikiria mara mbilimbili iwapo aendelee kuwekeza nchini au la, baada ya kuwapo kwa tuhuma kwamba alihusika na uchotaji wa fedha katika Akaunti ya Tegeta Escrow katika Benki Kuu ya Tanzania (BoT).

“Nimeongelewa sana kiasi kwamba naona kama hakuna hata amani ya kuwekeza Tanzania, nitajifikiria mara mbili mbili. Wananchi wanaelewa vingine kabisa kuhusu suala hili kwa sababu ya upotoshwaji,” alisema Singh alipozungumza na gazeti hili jana.

Singh ambaye alituhumiwa kujipatia asilimia 70 ya hisa katika Kampuni ya IPTL isivyo halali, alisema hafikirii kuwekeza zaidi nchini kwa sababu yamekuwapo maneno mengi na shutuma zisizo na ukweli zilizoelekezwa kwake kuhusu sakata hilo.

Kauli ya bosi huyo wa IPTL imekuja wakati Taifa likisubiri utekelezaji wa maazimio ya Bunge na akiwa mmojawapo wa watu wanaotakiwa kuchunguzwa na vyombo vya dola ili akibainika kufanya makosa, afikishwe mahakamani.

Jana, Mwenyekiti wa CUF, Profesa Ibrahim Lipumba alimtaka Rais Jakaya Kikwete kutekeleza haraka maazimio manane yaliyotolewa na Bunge dhidi ya ufisadi wa sakata la escrow.

“Rais hatakiwi kukaa kimya, atoe tamko la haraka ili kuwaondoa viongozi hao. Hata Waziri Mkuu anatakiwa kuwajibishwa kwa sababu ni chanzo cha udhaifu huo,” alisema Profesa Lipumba alipokuwa akizungumza kwenye Mkutano Mkuu wa Jumuiya ya Wanawake wa CUF (JUKECUF).

Jana, Ngeleja ambaye pia ni Mbunge wa Sengerema alisema: “Kwangu ni kama hukumu imetangulia mashtaka kwa sababu sikuwahi kuitwa kuhojiwa mahali popote, ila ninauheshimu uamuzi wa Bunge.”

Kwa upande wake, Jaji Mkuu wa Tanzania, Mohamed Chande Othman alisema hayuko tayari kuzungumzia masuala ya kashfa ya Akaunti ya Escrow pamoja na mwingiliano wa mihimili miwili, Bunge na Mahakama kwa kuwa siyo wakati wake.

Wakati hayo yakiendelea, uongozi wa Benki ya Stanbic Tanzania nao ulitoa taarifa ya kukana kuhusika katika utakatishaji fedha za Akaunti ya Tegeta Escrow, baada ya Bunge kupitisha azimio la kuitaka mamlaka husika za kifedha kuichunguza.

Malamiko ya Singh

Singh alisema kampuni yake imekuwa ikiuza umeme kwa bei nafuu; senti nane kuliko kampuni nyingine, lakini bado anaonekana kuwa na makosa.

“Kuuza umeme kwa senti nane kwa megawati ni bei nafuu sana lakini mbona naonekana kama nina makosa? Ndiyo maana ninasema nitafikiria mara mbili kuwauzia umeme,” alisema.

Alisema kampuni nyingine za kufua umeme zinauza umeme mara mbili ya bei kuliko yake, lakini bado anaonekana si mwekezaji mzuri huku mazuri yote aliyoyafanya nchini yakisahauliwa.

Alisema anashangazwa na kauli za wabunge na baadhi ya wanasiasa kuwa anatakiwa kukamatwa kwa kukwepa kodi na kujipatia fedha isivyo halali na kusema haoni kosa alilolifanya mpaka sasa.

“Wanikamate kwa lipi? Hata kutaifisha mali zangu au mitambo hawawezi kabisa hiyo ni kazi ya Mahakama,” alisema.

Alisema wanaomtuhumu kuwa kaiba fedha za umma hawana hoja na kwamba kama ingekuwa kweli, waliotakiwa kulalamika ni mmiliki mwenza wa zamani wa IPTL, James Rugemalira na raia wa Malaysia, aliyemtaja kwa jina moja la Barbin... “Wenyewe wahusika hawajasema kama wameibiwa lakini leo naambiwa na Bunge nimeiba na wanataka kutaifisha mali zangu inashangaza sana.”

Alisema ameshangazwa na jinsi Bunge lilivyomhukumu bila kupewa nafasi ya kujitetea... “Wao wanajadili bungeni, Mahakama haijatoa hukumu lakini wanamhukumu mtu ambaye hayupo hapo, hawajasikia utetezi wake. Inashangaza sana, kwa nini Mahakama isifanyie kazi suala hili na kutoa hukumu?”

Kuhusu utata wa uraia wake, Singh alisema hakuna ukweli wowote kuwa yeye ni Mkenya au wa Afrika Kusini na kusisitiza kuwa ni Mtanzania, mzaliwa wa Iringa. “Mimi ni Mtanzania, unafikiri mimi Mhindi?” alihoji Singh.

Kauli ya Ngeleja

Kwa upande wake, Ngeleja naye alilalamikia kutohojiwa na kusema: “Siwezi kufahamu kwa nini sikuitwa kuhojiwa maana hata maaskofu nimesikia kwenye vyombo vya habari kwamba nao wanalalamika hawakuhojiwa, pengine inawezekana muda ulikuwa mfupi, hilo sifahamu.”

Ngeleja ambaye aliwahi kuwa Waziri wa Nishati na Madini kabla ya kung’olewa katika nafasi hiyo alisema katika mazingira ya sasa hawezi kuzungumzia fedha zinazodaiwa kuingizwa katika akaunti yake, hadi pale wenye mamlaka zitakapotekeleza maazimio ya Bunge.

Mkurugenzi Mtendaji wa Mamlaka ya Usajili wa Vizazi na Vifo (Rita), Philip Saliboko alisema anasubiri uchunguzi ufanyike ili kubaini ukweli juu ya kuhusishwa na mgawo wa Sh40.4 milioni zilizochotwa kutoka akaunti hiyo.

“Unataka nizungumze nini sasa? Taarifa zimesomwa na kutangazwa, tusubiri huo uchunguzi unaotakiwa kufanyika,” alisema.

Jaji Mkuu agoma

Akizungumza baada ya mkutano wa viongozi wa Mahakama na vyombo vya habari uliofanyika Dar es Salaam jana, Jaji Mkuu Chande alisema: “Mambo hayo yameshajadiliwa na hapa tulipo si mahala pake.”

Aliombwa kutoa kauli yake kuhusu baadhi ya majaji kuhusishwa na kashfa ya hiyo na kile kilichoelezwa kuwa kuingiliana kwa mihimili ya Bunge na Mahakama katika kushughulikia suala hilo.

Hata hivyo, mmoja wa maofisa wa Mahakama aliyekuwapo eneo hilo, alisema suala majaji wanaotuhumiwa linanasubiri kuundwa kwa tume ya kijaji kama ilivyoelekezwa na Bunge.

Majaji hao waliotajwa ni Aloysius Mujulizi na Profesa Eudes Ruhangisa ambao wanadaiwa kuhamishiwa fedha kutoka kwa akaunti ya mmojawapo wa watuhumiwa iliyopo Benki ya Mkombozi. Hadi sasa majaji hao hawajatoa maelezo yoyote kuhusu suala hilo.

Stanbic yakana

Benki ya Stanbic jana ilitoa taarifa kwa umma ikisema haihusiki na sakata hilo na kwamba imekuwa ikifuata sheria na kanuni za kifedha katika utendaji wake.

“Tunapenda kuwahakikishia wateja wetu kwamba Benki ya Stanbic siku zote inafuata masharti yote na pamoja na sheria za maadili zilizowekwa Serikali ya Jamhuri ya Muungano wa Tanzania,” ilisema taarifa hiyo.

Benki ya Mkombozi inayomilikiwa na Kanisa Katoliki ilishatoa taarifa ikikanusha kuhusika kutakatisha fedha chafu.

“Benki inawataarifu wateja wake na Watanzania kwa ujumla kutoyumbishwa na tuhuma hizo ambazo hazina ukweli ndani yake na badala yake waitumie benki yao kwa shughuli za maendeleo ya nchi yetu,” ilisema taarifa hiyo.

Msemaji wa BoT, Lwaga Mwambane alisema tuhuma dhidi ya benki hizo zinafanyiwa kazi na Kitengo cha Intelijensia ya Fedha (FIU) kilichopo chini ya Wizara ya Fedha.

Masele ajigamba

Naye Naibu Waziri wa Nishati na Madini, Steven Masele amejigamba kuwa tuhuma zilizokuwa zikielekezwa kwake kuhusu sakata hilo ni kama kumpiga chura teke na kumwongezea mwendo.

Akihutubia mkutano wa uzinduzi wa kampeni za Serikali za Mitaa mjini Shinyanga juzi, Masele alisema aliokolewa kutoka kwenye mto uliojaa mamba na kusema wabaya wake walijua tayari wamemwangamiza na kwamba kupona kwake kumempa nguvu ya kufanya kazi kwa bidii ili kuleta mabadiliko katika jimbo lake la Msalala.

chanzo:gazeti la mwananchi

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Mwenyekiti wa iliyokuwa Tume ya Mabadiliko ya Katiba, Jaji Joseph Warioba (kushoto), akizungumza na Mwenyekiti wa Kamati ya Bunge ya Hesabu za Serikali (PAC), Zitto Kabwe. Masaki Dar es Salaam jana.

Mwenyekiti wa iliyokuwa Tume ya Mabadiliko ya Katiba, Jaji Joseph Warioba juzi alifanya mazungumzo ya saa mbili ya Mwenyekiti wa Kamati ya Bunge ya Hesabu za Serikali (PAC), Zitto Kabwe kuhusu masuala ya uongozi na uwajibikaji baada ya mbunge huyo wa Kigoma Kaskazini kumtembelea nyumbani kwake, Masaki, Dar es Salaam.

Katika mazungumzo hayo, Zitto pia alimweleza Waziri Mkuu huyo mstaafu maazimio ya Bunge kuhusu uchotwaji wa Sh306 bilioni katika Akaunti ya Tegeta Escrow.

Katika ujumbe wake mfupi alioutuma katika mtandao wa Facebook, Zitto alisema: “Nimekuwa na mkutano wa zaidi ya masaa mawili (saa mbili) na Mzee Warioba kuhusu masuala mbalimbali ya nchi yetu kama uongozi na uwajibikaji. Pia nimemweleza kwa ufupi kuhusu maazimio ya Bunge kuhusu Akaunti ya Tegeta Escrow.”

Kukutana kwa viongozi hao kumekuja ikiwa zimepita siku mbili tangu Jaji Warioba kuzungumza na gazeti hili kuhusu sakata la escrow na maazimio manane ya Bunge.

Zitto alimtembelea Jaji Warioba siku habari hiyo ilipochapishwa, kitendo ambacho kimetafsiriwa kama ni mbunge huyo kutolea ufafanuzi maoni ya Jaji Warioba ambaye pia amewahi kuwa Mwanasheria Mkuu wa Serikali hasa kuhusu maeneo yaliyoachwa katika ripoti hiyo licha ya kuwa yanaonekana kuhusika katika kashfa hiyo.

Bunge lilihitimisha mjadala wa kashfa hiyo, kwa kupitisha maazimio manane, ikiwa ni pamoja na kuwawajibisha Mwanasheria Mkuu wa Serikali (AG) Jaji Frederick Werema, Waziri wa Nishati na Madini, Profesa Sospeter Muhongo; Waziri wa Ardhi, Nyumba na Maendeleo ya Makazi, Profesa Anna Tibaijuka na Katibu Mkuu wa Nishati na Madini, Eliakim Maswi.

Bunge hilo pia liliazimia kuwajibishwa kwa wajumbe wa Bodi ya Wakurugenzi ya Tanesco pamoja na wenyeviti watatu wa kamati za kudumu za Bunge; Victor Mwambalaswa (Nishati na Madini), William Ngeleja (Katiba, Sheria na Utawala) na William Ngeleja (Bajeti).

Katika maoni yake juu ya kashfa hiyo, Jaji Warioba alisema Bunge limefanya makosa ya kutozijumuisha Wizara ya Fedha na ile ya Viwanda na Biashara katika uchunguzi huo kwa kuwa nazo zinahusika.

Alisema katika Ripoti ya CAG na PAC, wametaja ukiukwaji wa malipo ya kodi ya ongezeko la mtaji (capital gain) na ushuru wa stempu (stamp duty) na kuwa wanaohusika katika hilo ni Wizara ya Fedha na Mamlaka ya Mapato Tanzania (TRA) na upande mwingine ni Wakala wa Usajili wa Biashara na Leseni (Brela) ambao uko chini ya Wizara ya Viwanda na Biashara.

Alisema hata kampuni iliyotajwa kuwa imesajiliwa Brela inaonyesha katika ripoti kuwa wahusika walioisajili hawakuweka majina yao, bali saini tu.

Alifafanua kuwa uamuzi wa Bunge uliilenga Wizara ya Nishati na Madini lakini hasara iliyotajwa kuonekana inazihusu zaidi Wizara ya Fedha na ile ya Viwanda na kusisitiza kuwa uamuzi wa Bunge ulitawaliwa na mchezo wa siasa, kwamba baadhi walindwe na wengine waachwe.

Jaji Warioba alisema kasoro nyingine ni kitendo cha watu wanaodaiwa kupewa fedha na James Rugemalira kutajwa majina yao sambamba na akaunti ya aliyewapa, lakini wale waliodaiwa kuchota fedha hizo katika magunia hawakutajwa.

Pia, alisema haamini kama fedha za escrow ni za Serikali na kuhoji kama zingekuwa za umma zingewekwa katika akaunti hiyo kwa misingi ipi?

Katika maazimo yake Kamati ya PAC ilieleza kuwa uchunguzi kuhusu sakata hilo uliofanywa na Mdhibiti na Mkaguzi Mkuu wa Hesabu za Serikali (CAG), ulieleza kuwa fedha za umma zinaweza kuwamo katika akaunti hiyo.

SOURCE: MWANANCHI

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Wapiganaji wa Islamic State katika jimbo la Anbar,Syria Marchi 2014

Wapiganaji wa kundi la Islamic State wafungua kambi za mafunzo LibyaWapiganaji wa kundi la Islamic State wameanzisha kambi za mafunzo mashariki mwa Libya, amesema mkuu wa kamandi ya Marekani ya masuala ya Afrika. 

Wapiganaji wa Kikurd wakiwa katika mafunzo ya kijeshi kukabiliana na wapiganaji wa Islamic State Septemba 2014 nchini Iraq.Jenerali David Rodriguez amesema kuna mamia ya wapiganaji wa IS wanaopata mafunzo ya kijeshi kwenye kambi zake nchini Libya. 

Amesema kambi hizo zipo katika hatua za mwanzo kabisa, lakini Marekani imekuwa ikiyafuatilia kwa karibu kuona zinavyoendelezwa.

Libya imekuwa katika mgogoro tangu kuangushwa kwa utawala wa Muammar Gaddafi mwaka 2011, ambapo makabila mbalimbali, wanamgambo na makundi ya kisiasa, wote wakipigania madaraka.

Makundi mbalimbali ya Kiislam yanawania madaraka mashariki mwa Libya, hukubaadhi yakitangaza kuwa na ushirikiano la kundi la Islamic State, IS. 

Wapiganaji kutoka kikundi cha IS wakipakia mabaki ya kile kinachosemekana kuwa mabaki ya ndege ya Marekani isiyotumia abiria baada ya kukonga katika mnara wa mawasiliano huko Raqqa Septemba 23,2014Akizungumza mjini Washington Jumatano, Jenerali Rodriguez bado haijafahamika ukaribu uliopo kati ya watu wanaopata mafunzo hayo na kundi la IS."Kikubwa ni watu wanaokuja kupata mafunzo na msaada wa vifaa kwa ajili ya kambi za mafunzo kwa sasa," amesema. "kwa sasa mafunzo hayo bado ni ya hatua ya chini sana na tunafuatilia kuona namna hali inavyokwenda." 

Watoto wakikimbia kando ya mlima hukumoshi ukisambaa angani kufuatia mapigano katika eneo hilo la mji wa Kobani, wakati majeshi yanayoongozwa na Marekani kushambulia wapiganaji wa Islamic StateWaandishi wa habari wanasema katika kipindi cha mapinduzi yaliyomwondoa madarakani Gaddafi, wapiganaji wengi waasi waliondoka nchini humo kwenda kujiunga na vikundi vya wapiganaji nchini Syria na baadhi yao wanaaminika kuwa wamerejea nyumbani(Libya).

Serikali iliyochaguliwa imepoteza miji mikuu mitatu ya Libya huku kukiwa na mgogoro wa kisiasa.

Benghazi, mji wa pili kwa ukubwa nchini Libya, uko mikononi mwa wapiganaji wa Kiislam, na bunge linalotambuliwa kimataifa kwa sasa linaendesha vikao vyake katika mji ulioko pwani ya Tobruk mashariki mwa nchi hiyo

Marekani imekuwa ikiongoza washirika wa kimataifa kufanya mashambulio ya anga dhidi ya IS nchini Iraq na Syria katika miezi ya karibuni.

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Alikiba amesafiri hadi jijini Cape Town, Afrika Kusini kwenda kushoot video mpya.

Inavyoonekana staa huyo amekwenda kushoot video ya wimbo wake ‘Mwana’ uliotoka miezi kadhaa iliyopita.

Kiba ameshare picha kadhaa kwenye Instagram akiwa location huku moja anaonekana akiwa na dancers wa kike.

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MAHAKAMA inaangalia uwezekano wa kuruhusu vyombo vya habari kurekodi picha na sauti kuwezesha vituo vya radio na televisheni kuripoti habari za mahakama wakati kesi zinaendelea.

 

Jaji Mkuu, Mohamed Chande Othman alisema jana mahakama inajifunza kutoka kwa nchi zinazoruhusu vituo vya redio na televisheni kurekodi na kuripoti habari wakati kesi zinaendelea.

 

Alisema hayo alipozungumza na waandishi wa habari jana wakati wa mkutano baina ya Baraza la Vyombo vya Habari na Mahakama uliofanyika jijini Dar es Salaam.

 

Alisema utaratibu huo utaanza kwa kuripoti kesi za madai zenye mvuto kwa jamii na kwamba utaratibu mzima unapaswa kufanyika kwa umakini mkubwa baada ya mahakama na vyombo vya habari kukaa pamoja na kujadiliana juu ya maadili, uhuru na mipaka ya mhimili wa mahakama na vyombo vya habari ili kuondoa migongano katika kuandika na kuripoti habari za mahakama kwa kutumia teknolojia ya kisasa.

 

Hivi sasa waandishi wa habari hawaruhusiwi kupiga picha za video wala kurekodi sauti wakati kesi zikiendelea.

 

Badala yake, wanaruhusiwa kuandika habari hizo kisha kuripoti kile walichoandika bila kuonesha mwenendo mzima wa kesi kwa kutumia sauti na picha za video.

 

Jaji Othman alifafanua kuwa ni lazima mahakama na vyombo vya habari kuweka utaratibu wa kuripoti kesi kwa kurusha sauti na picha bila kuvuruga mwenendo wa kesi kwa kukiuka haki hasa za washitakiwa, waathirika na mashahidi kwa kuwa wote wanahitaji haki sawa katika kupata ulinzi na hifadhi kulinda utu wao.

 

“Mfano sio haki kuwaonesha hadharani waathirika wa kesi ya ubakaji, pia mshitakiwa yeyote hawezi kuitwa mwizi au muuaji hadi mwisho wa kesi ambapo mahakama inazingatia ushahidi na kutoa hukumu,” alisema.

 

Aliendelea kusema, “Ukitangaza kuwa mtu ni mwizi kabla ya hukumu, ni kumkosea haki kisheria hivyo ni lazima tuangalie yote hayo kabla ya kuruhusu utaratibu wa kunakili sauti na picha wakati kesi zinaendelea.”

 

Jaji alitoa maelezo hayo wakati wa kuzungumzia mapendekezo yaliyotolewa na Katibu Mtendaji wa Baraza la Habari Tanzania (MCT), Kajubi Mukajanga ambaye alisema ili kuboresha uhusiano wa vyombo vya habari na mahakama, mahakama inapaswa kuwa na msemaji.

 

Mukajanga alipendekeza pia mahakama kuandaa taarifa kwa kutumia sauti na picha za video kuhusu mwenendo wa kesi, kutoa mwongozo wa kutumia simu za viganjani na vifaa vingine vya mawasiliano kwa njia ya digitali.

 

Baraza hilo la kihistoria kati ya mhimili wa Mahakama na vyombo vya habari, limeazimia kuimarisha ushirikiano na kufanya kazi kwa pamoja kwa kuheshimu uhuru na mipaka ya kila mmoja na kuzingatia kuwa wote wanafanya kazi ya kutetea haki za wananchi na wote wamekuwa kimbilio la wanyonge.

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VYAMA vinne vya upinzani vilivyoungana na kuunda Umoja wa Katiba ya Wananchi (UKAWA) vimeshindwa kuachiana nafasi za uongozi mkoani Arusha, katika uchaguzi wa Serikali za Mitaa unaotarajiwa kufanyika Desemba 14.

 

Vyama vinavyounda Ukawa ni Chadema, CUF, NCCR-Mageuzi na NLD, lakini vyote vimesimamisha wagombea katika mitaa ndani ya mkoa wa Arusha, kinyume na makubaliano yaliyosainiwa na viongozi wa kitaifa hivi karibuni jijini Dar es Salaam.

 

Kitendo hicho kimefanya CCM kutwaa kiulaini uongozi kwenye vijiji 183 kati ya 406.

 

Aidha chama hicho kimeshinda kwa rufaa katika mitaa sita kati ya 155 ambapo Mkoa mzima wa Arusha una vijiji 406 na mitaa 155.
 
 Chadema watetea.

Akizungumzia hali hiyo jana mjini , Mwenyekiti wa Chadema Kanda ya Kaskazini, Amani Golugwa alisema makubaliano ya viongozi wa juu ya Ukawa ya kuweka mgombea anayekubalika iko pale pale.

 

Alikiri vyama vinavyounda Ukawa kusimamisha wagombea kila kimoja kivyake mkoani Arusha, lakini akasisitiza kuwa, hiyo haina maana kwamba makubaliano yao ya kushirikiana yamevunjwa.

 

Alisema wamefanya hivyo kwa sababu maalumu ambayo wao wanaijua, lakini umoja wao uko pale pale na makubaliano yanaheshimika kwa asilimia kubwa.

 

Mwenyekiti huyo aliwataka wanachama wa Ukawa kutokuwa na wasiwasi, kwani wamefanya hivyo kwa kuangalia ni namna gani watashirikiana katika uchaguzi wa serikali za mitaa.

 

CCM yatamba

Akizungumza jana ofisini kwake, Katibu wa CCM mkoa wa Arusha, Alphonce Kinamhala alisema ushindi huo unatokana na utekelezaji mzuri wa ilani ya chama ambayo imekuna wananchi wengi mkoani humo.

 

Alisema kwa sasa CCM ina kazi ndogo ya kupambana na vijiji 378 vilivyosalia na kwamba hali inakwenda vizuri na wana uhakika wa kushinda katika vijiji vilivyosalia katika uchaguzi huo wa Desemba 14, mwaka huu.

 

Katibu huyo alisema mbali ya ushindi wa vijiji hivyo, pia CCM imeshinda vitongoji 688 sawa na asilimia 46 kati ya vitongoji 1,483 na kilichobakiwa ni kushindana katika vitongoji 795 pekee.

 

Alisema baada ya kuzindua kampeni zake mwishoni mwa wiki iliyopita, hali inaendelea vizuri na hakuna malalamiko ya kuwapo vurugu kwenye mikutano ya kampeni wilaya zote.

 

Kinamhala amevitaka vyama vya upinzani kufanya kampeni za kistaarabu zitakazotoa nafasi kwa wananchi kujitokeza kwa wingi siku ya kupiga kura.

 

Alisema wajibu wa kupiga kura ni haki ya msingi ya kila mtanzania mwenye sifa na endapo kampeni zitakuwa na vurugu, wengi watashindwa kujitokeza kupiga kura siku hiyo.

 

“Naomba kutoa mwito kuwa ni jukumu letu sote kufanya kampeni za kistaarabu na sera nzuri zenye ujumbe kwa wananchi ambazo zitawahamashisha wananchi kujitokeza kwa wingi siku ya kupiga kura kuwachagua viongozi wanaowaona wanafaa kuwaongoza,’’ alisema.

 

Wakati hayo yakijiri mkoani Arusha, hali hiyo imejitokeza pia mkoani Morogoro katika Kata ya Chamwino, ambako iliripotiwa katika baadhi ya vyombo vya habari kwamba CUF imesimamisha wagombea katika mitaa yote 15 baada ya kushindwa kuafikiana kuachiana mitaa na Chadema.

 

Ilidaiwa na CUF kwamba viongozi wa Chadema walishindwa kuwaachia mitaa mitano, ambayo CUF ina nguvu na kukubalika na wananchi.

 

Ilielezwa kwamba Chadema ilishauriwa kuchukua mitaa 10, lakini ikashindwa kuheshimu makubaliano kwa kusimamisha wagombea mitaa yote.

 

Mmoja wa viongozi wa CUF Kata ya Chamwino, Omari Mwansenga, alikaririwa akisema,“wenzetu wa Chadema wameshindwa kuheshimu makubaliano ya kuachiana mitaa, CUF ina mitaa mitano yenye wafuasi na kukubalika na itasimamisha wagombea.”

 

Mwenyekiti wa Kamati ya Uchaguzi wa CUF, Wilaya ya Morogoro Mjini, Abdallah Mambo, alikiri kuwapo migongano hiyo katika umoja huo ingawa alisema suala hilo liko chini ya maelekezo ya viongozi wa vyama washirika ngazi ya wilaya.

 

Makubaliano

Kutoafikiana kwa vyama hivyo, kunakwenda kinyume na makubaliano yaliyosainiwa na viongozi wakuu wa vyama vya CHADEMA, CUF, NCCR-Mageuzi na NLD vinavyounda Ukawa.

 

Novemba 4 mwaka huu, vyama vya siasa vinavyounda Ukawa vilisaini mwongozo wa ushirikiano katika uchaguzi wa serikali za mitaa, vijiji na vitongoji pamoja na uchaguzi mkuu, mwakani ambapo vilikubaliana kuachiana nafasi katika kila hatua ya uchaguzi.

 

Umoja huo uliweka wazi vigezo ambavyo walishauriana vitumiwe katika kumpata mgombea mmoja katika nafasi mbalimbali katika uchaguzi huo.

 

Navyo ni kuwa na mgombea anayekubalika zaidi, chama kilichoshinda uchaguzi uliopita, idadi ya wanachama, maridhiano au mwafaka wa kura ya maoni na suluhishi la mvutano wa mgombea.

 

Hii ina maana kwamba, kuanzia katika uchaguzi wa wiki ijayo wa serikali za mitaa au  ule wa mwaka ujao kwa nafasi za ubunge, udiwani na hata kwa nafasi ya mgombea wa Urais, mgombea atakuwa mmoja tu kutoka kambi ya ukawa, lakini vyama vingine vitalazimika kumuunga mkono mgombea huyo.

 

Waliosaini makubaliano hayo ni Mwenyekiti wa Umoja huo, Profesa Ibrahim Lipumba (CUF), Dk Willibrod Slaa (Chadema) na James Mbatia (NCCR Mageuzi).

 

Emmanuel Makaidi ambaye ni Mwenyekiti wa NLD hakuwepo, ikielezwa alikuwa na udhuru. Mwenyekiti wa Chadema, Freeman Mbowe hakuwepo.

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The Russian government said household disposable income would also fall by as much as 2.8%

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The Russian government has warned the economy will fall into recession next year as Western sanctions, in response to its role in eastern Ukraine, and falling oil prices begin to bite.

Russia's economic development ministry estimates the economy will contract by 0.8% next year.

It had previously estimated the the economy would grow by 1.2% in 2015.

Russia's reliance on tax revenues from the oil industry makes it particularly sensitive to price movements.

Household disposable incomes are also forecast to decline by as much as 2.8%, compared with a previous estimate that they would grow by 0.4%.

The sharp revision in Russia's economic forecast is the first admission from the government that the economy will contract.

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Russia is a non-investible country for all but the bravest of hedge fund investors right now, and will remain in this category until both the rouble and oil stabilise at minimum”

Chris WeaferMacro-Advisory

"The current prognosis is based on a drop in GDP by 0.8% in 2015, against the previous prognosis of growth by 1.2%," deputy prime minister Alexi Vedev said.

Budget

On Monday, the rouble suffered its biggest one-day fall since 1998.

The currency slid almost 9% against the dollar before rallying after suspected central bank intervention. The currency has already lost 40% in value this year.

The Russian finance ministry has also not ruled out spending more than 500 billion roubles from the budget's Reserve Fund next year.

The 2015-2017 budget allows for spending of up to 500bn roubles (£5.9bn) next year from the Reserve Fund, but Maxim Oreshkin, head of the finance ministry's long-term strategic planning department, said it was possible the government could spend more to support the economy.

He added that if the average oil price were $80 per barrel in 2015, the finance ministry's forecast for a fall in GDP was in line with the economy ministry's prediction of a 0.8% contraction.

He also said that a scenario in which the oil price averaged $60 a barrel in 2015 was pessimistic, and at that price, the Russian economy would contract as forecast in the central bank's "stress scenario".

'Damage'

The bank published its stress scenario last month, saying that at $60 per barrel, GDP would decline by 3.5% to 4%.

"The real damage from the collapsing rouble and oil price is to investment and growth,'' said Chris Weafer, senior partner at Moscow-based Macro-Advisory, in a note to investors.

"Russia is a non-investible country for all but the bravest of hedge fund investors right now, and will remain in this category until both the rouble and oil stabilise at minimum."

The price of oil has fallen nearly 40% since the summer because of oversupply caused by rising US shale oil production.

Demand has also fallen, particularly in China, the world's second largest consumer of the commodity, where industrial production has slowed in recent months.

Last week, Opec ministers met to discuss a possible cut in oil production in order to stabilise the oil price, but the meeting broke up without agreement.

Opec secretary general Abdallah Salem el-Badri said: "There's a price decline. That does not mean that we should really rush and do something."

The fall in the oil price has been causing concern for several members of the oil cartel, as most require a price above $80 a barrel to balance their government budgets and many need prices to be above $100 a barrel.

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The FBI warns that the malware overrides data on computer hard drives

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Related Stories

• FBI investigating Sony hack
• N Korea refuses to deny Sony hack
• Annie among 'leaked' Sony films

The US Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) has warned that cyber-hackers have used malicious software to launch destructive attacks in the US.

A five-page confidential warning was issued to US businesses on Monday, according to Reuters news agency.

The software would make it impossible to recover any lost data, the FBI said.

The warning follows a confirmation from the FBI that it is investigating last week's hack into Sony Pictures Entertainment's network.

Sony Pictures was forced to shut down its corporate network in the attack and some of its unreleased films have also been leaked online.

But the warning from the US authorities did not name any victims that have been targeted.

Instead, it provided some technical details about the malicious software and advice on how to handle such an attack.

North Korea in the spotlight

There have been accusations that North Korea may have been responsible for the attack on Sony Pictures after the country's government described a film due to be released by the studio on Christmas Day as an "undisguised sponsoring of terrorism as well as an act of war".

The Interview, starring Seth Rogan and James Franco, tells the story of a CIA plot to assassinate the North Korean leader.

Pyongyang has written letters to the UN Secretary General and President Barack Obama asking for the film to be blocked, but when asked if it was involved in the cyber-attack on Sony, a spokesman only said "wait and see".

Sony has not accused North Korea of involvement and said it was investigating the source of the hacking.

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The wife of Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi has reportedly been detained at the Syrian border

Lebanese authorities detained Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi's wife and child about 10 days ago, according to two officials.

Both were reportedly using false identity documents and are now being questioned, according to local media.

Reports differ over whether the child is a girl or a boy.

A senior Lebanese security official said that DNA tests were conducted to verify that al-Baghdadi was their father.

Lebanese daily As-Safir said that the arrest was in "coordination with foreign intelligence agencies."

Both Lebanese officials, who spoke on condition of anonymity in line with regulations, refused to give any details about the woman who is believed to be one of the wives of the militant group's reclusive leader.

Authorities in Lebanon have made several arrests in recent months in a bid to crack down on IS and its sympathisers.

IS currently controls several key areas in Iraq and Syria, including Mosul, the second-largest city in Iraq.

Reports of beheadings, sexual violence and enslavement have emerged from IS strongholds.

The group was responsible for the murder US journalists James Foley and Steven Sotloff, as well as British aid workers David Haines and Alan Henning.

According to a biography circulated by jihadists on the internet, the militant was educated at the University of Baghdad and – according to some – was a cleric in a mosque at the time of the US invasion.

He has at least one wife, although under rules followed by IS he is allowed up to four.

With IS, al-Baghdadi has declared an 'Islamic Caliphate' and called for "volcanoes of jihad" across the globe.

A US-led coalition is currently bombarded the militant group from the skies of Iraq and Syria.

On the ground Iraqi and Kurdish forces are battling to push back the terrorists.

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Benjamin Netanyahu said Yair Lapid and Tzipi Livni had "harshly attacked" both himself and the coalition government.

Mr Netanyahu explained that he wanted an election two years early to win "a clear mandate to lead Israel".

Disagreements over a series of economic and political policies have strained relations within the coalition.

Under Israeli electoral law, voting would probably take place in mid-March if the Knesset were to be dissolved this week.

'Personal risk'

Speaking at a news conference on Tuesday, Mr Netanyahu said it was "impossible" to lead the government with the current coalition, describing Ms Livni and Mr Lapid's activities as a "putsch".

The PM said he was taking "a personal risk" by calling for elections but that he was doing so "for the good of the country".

Analysis: The BBC's Kevin Connolly in Jerusalem

Israeli voters are no strangers to transitory coalition administrations - the current government is the 32nd they've see in the 67 years since the foundation of the state.

But it is almost certainly destined to be one of the shortest-lived; it is only two years since the last parliamentary elections here.

The last few weeks have seen a sharp rise in tensions between key partners in the current right-of-centre coalition.

Mr Netanyahu is thought to regard Mr Lapid as being too ambitious for comfort.

He may be hoping to return to power at the head of a re-formulated coalition in which the finance minister's secular party would be replaced with a religious block representing the interest of ultra-orthodox Jews.

Israeli MPs are expected to vote on a bill to dissolve the parliament on Wednesday.

Mr Netanyahu's comments come after talks with Mr Lapid - who leads Yesh Atid, the centrist party that is the second largest in the governing coalition - ended without an agreement on Monday night.

Mr Netanyahu and his ministers have disagreed about the content of a bill designed to strengthen the Jewish nature of the Israeli state and over a proposed tax break for first-time home buyers, which Mr Lapid regards as his signature issue.

Yesh Atid leader Yair Lapid said the elections were "unnecessary"

Ms Livni reportedly accused the prime minister of cowardice in his sacking of her

On Tuesday morning, Mr Lapid told an economic conference that the prime minister had "decided to take Israel to unnecessary elections".

As speculation about an election mounted, Ms Livni accused Mr Netanyahu of "extremism, provocativeness and paranoia".

The government did not know how to fight terrorism while also "upholding freedom and Zionism", she added.

Mr Netanyahu and his ministers disagreed about strengthening the Jewish nature of the Israeli state

Ms Livni, who leads the centrist Hatnua party, also accused Mr Netanyahu of "inciting sectors in Israel against each other".

'Cowardice'

Mr Netanyahu's office issued a statement on Tuesday announcing: "The prime minister plans to call for parliament's dissolution as soon as possible and to go to the people and get a clear mandate to lead Israel."

It also said he had ordered the dismissal of Mr Lapid and Ms Livni.

"In past weeks, including the past day, ministers Lapid and Livni have harshly attacked the government that I head. I will no longer tolerate an opposition inside the government," the statement added.

Following Mr Netanyahu's new conference, Ms Livni reportedly accused the prime minister of cowardice in his sacking of her, saying that he "didn't even dare to look me in the eye to fire me", and she denied there was a "putsch" against him.

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