Music Society and Politics – a sharp sword or a soothing symphony.

"Musical innovation is full of danger to the State, for when modes of music change, the laws of the State always change with them, the words of a great philosopher and political thinker ”Plato - maybe Plato’s thoughts were in the same realm with Kenyan politicians during the controversial 2007 elections.
During that period, music was largely used as a tool to win followers, appeal or persuade voters to cast that important vote. Interestingly musical lyrics were used in hate campaigns that characterized what would be the genesis of the 2007 -2008 post election violence.
In the recent political history in Kenya typical lyrics, like unbwogable , by Gidigidi Majimaji in the call up to the 2002 elections, domo domo which actualized some political advertisements, in 2007- stuck in many a Kenyan mind. Plato would agree, this compositions changed attitudes of voters at that time, and had a huge impact on Kenya’s political history.
However there are those who still argue that music dampens politics, this thoughts came to mind the moment I spoke to Mansoor Mani Hosseini a Swedish self made theatrical music artist.
Mansoor lives in Gothenburg - the second largest city in Sweden, central Scandinavia. He is making a name for himself by composing theatrical music on political themes. Is he not afraid that his music would be a danger to the state?
No he affirms, “in my compositions, I give indirect political messages through animation, for instance one such depiction is the laxity of some politicians in implementing policies of which they hold a responsibility”.
In his description – it may involve a simple decision like perusing through job applications and choosing the right candidate for the job, a task that can go on for days at the chagrin of an expectant applicant.
For the theatrical composition Mansoor and two other from his group, Tony Blomdahl and Andreas Hall produce an act. In the act the sound of stifling pens on paper and clamping of hands on the table is the music. The laid back attitude and a boredom expression on their faces tells it all.
I relate this to the attitude and bureaucracy in some public offices in Kenya, and want to know if by composing messages themed on this scenario makes the difference.
“Some people listen to music rather than political statements, instead of screaming out on stage politicians should instead learn to induce meaning through music”, he says.
“Some people are put off by politics, but what makes it worth is when you start using humor and irony to break the political bureaucracy as an artist. It relieves the seriousness of politics, but in essence audiences will understand that they too need politicians as much as politicians need them because of the vote power”.
His concept of theatrical music is inspired from martial arts, with contemporary dance and theater. Mansoor has carried out extensive research in this area and studied with composers such as Georges Aperghis renowned Greek composer working primarily in the field of experimental music theater.
Aperghis has also composed a large amount of non-programmatic chamber music – and is a strong influence on Mansoor composing style.
He defines theatrical music, as music written for musicians who challenge certain theatrical tasks. “Even if theatrical parts of a certain piece may seem to take more space than the music in that piece, it is done for musical reasons and, therefore, the music has the main role. The music, the score and musicians become one and the same”.
Mansoor says, the sense of theatrical music, is interpreting the sounds giving meaning and creating corresponding dramatic action injecting a symbolic gist to the intonation, symphony and harmony.
Thus the concept, themus ensemble, Swedish for theatre music. He is quick to clarify the confusion in definition when the words are interchanged, for instance music theater meaning when music is enhanced for the purpose of theater.
He insists on calling these pieces theatrical music or French musique théâtrale and not musical theater or théâtre musical. The latter is an ambiguous term that could mean written or improvised music as an accompaniment to plays or musicals, and where the music has a second role.
In his composition Mansoor says, he does away with all instruments such as the saxophone, the guitar and the piano and instead uses elements of acting and visualization to describe actions in the lyrics.
A practical example, the action of cutting with a pair of scissor may mean censorship, as in self censorship, or a limitation to ones expression, or it could plainly imply cutting.
“This is a new concept even here in Sweden , but with it I get my audience to appreciate not only the melody but the meaning in the words, that is why interlinking theatrical music with politics brings out the desired effect which is to bring change” , he says.
Mansoor Hosseini studied composition in Paris later joined theory and computer-music classes at the Royal Music Conservatory of Brussels as well as composition classes at the Gothenburg Music Conservatory.
Mansoor together with his partners, currently work with avant-garde music, dance and theater groups in Sweden and compose contemporary music for various ensembles around Europe and America.
In 2003, the partners founded Gothenburg Music & Dance Company (GMDC) with the purpose of combining musicians and actors or even musicians becoming actors, leading to musical theater or, as he prefers to call it, theatrical music.
Probably Mansoor’s music brought to memory life in a small village in western Kenya, Central, Nyanza, the Coast or Eastern provinces – where traditional drum beats would announce time for celebration for instance, a marriage ceremony, or even a mourning period with dirges and mourners as actors.
David Otieno Akombo, assistant professor of Music, at Weber State University USA agrees, with Mansoor’s approach to music to a greater degree. In his research work on how music was used in fostering peace during the post election violence, he argues music is a healing agent and permeates across the cultural spectrum.
Up till now, people of many cultures incorporate music to transform those unhealthy individuals into healthy ones.
According to Proffesor Akombo, the therapeutic qualities inherent in the cultural music of the Kenyan people were used to help victims of the violence who developed post-traumatic stress disorder following the disputed 2007 Elections.
I made contact with professor Akombo , and indeed in our discussions, he points out that its worth understanding that in a community, musicians are still an invaluable therapeutic resource albeit their lack of professional training .
For instance drumming exercises greatly reduce stress among Vietnam veterans and other victims of trauma. Apparently, the altering of brain-wave patterns is one level of explanation for this change, Akombo argues.
To understand how music works as a therapeutic agent, at the onset of a conflict, or a depressing period the human brain and state of mind is sad, anxious, and worried, but with period of listening to uplifting music this can be reversed .
The sad mood could become - joyful, anxiety turned to – calmness, worry – elation, listless will be reformed to - energetic, where there was tension a relaxed state of mind is achieved.
Akombo is personally inspired by Kenya Air Force Senior Private Doris Chepchumba Tanui, who was instrumental in peace building process during the post election period.
Tanui applied humor to her music, which she heavily borrows from Kenya's artists, including the late Daudi Kabaka (1939-2001), a legend of Kenya's popular music. According to professor Akombo it was interesting to see how the audience reacted to her rhetorical questions in her songs such as:
Why didn't God create the Luo with horns, Kikuyus with tails, Kalenjin with wings... all communities with distinct identities... if we are not equal? This is critical questions in the lyrics of Tanui’s song where she is castigating the post-elections violence.
Why people were burning food stores, schools, houses, forests, hospitals and even vehicles, when the items are all for the human welfare and now without them, what next?
Like Tanui, other Kenyan musicians who came up to sing for peace were Eric Wainana, Achieng Abura, Susana Owiyo in the group that was highly praised for the inspiration and stance, that made a complete turnaround on the escalating violence.
For example Eric Wainaina sings on issues that affect the day to day life of the ordinary person, like corruption and the need for peace.
Two songs in his first album Sawa Sawa, released in 2001, received enormous airplay and are massively popular with Kenyans.
Nchi ya Kitu Kidogo, (a country of bribes) which speaks against corruption in the country, was adopted as tool against corruption by the local chapter of Transparency International.
Mansoor is with a similar thinking that international organizations should incorporate music in their advocacy messages if they have to reach out to masses.
Kenya Only, which calls for peace and patriotism, was again widely played after the 1998 bombing of the American Embassy in Nairobi, which resulted in the deaths of more than 200 people, most of them Kenyans.
Also during the post election violence where around 1200 lost their lives and thousands displaced, it was a hit on the Kenyan airwaves.
The song was used to bring comfort and healing to Kenyans, who were then undergoing trying times.Twende Twende also talks about the need for people to set aside their differences, and come together for the sake of development.
Another of Wainaina’s strong points is the fact that in spite of his American training, his music fuses various traditional styles and instruments to bring out a uniquely Kenyan beat.
It is however important to consider that the unauthorized use of songs during political campaigns has gained momentum in recent years, as politicians try to exploit the power of music to draw support from voters.
A significant case reported by the Associated Press is that of Musician Jackson Browne - who filed a lawsuit against John McCain and the Republican Party for unauthorized use of his song “Running on Empty” during the 2008 US presidential campaigns.
The case Browne vs. GOP highlights an increasing role of Music in Politics, the dispute was settled in July – stipulating that the Republican Party promise “not to use any musician’s work without permission in future campaigns.”
Brown, a 60-year-old singer-songwriter and active supporter of Barack Obama’s campaign, did not approve of the use of his song in a Web advertisement that made fun of Obama’s energy proposal. “And saw the settlement as a great step in protecting music copyright.
Just as elsewhere in the world, for instance entertainers such as musicians and celebrities have played an increasingly significant role in political campaigns over recent years, hoping to appeal to the general public with their endorsement of a particular candidate’s platform. The problem begins, however, when an entertainer’s work is utilized without their consent.
However the prevailing question is if artists and music composers will stay original, in their work. Kenyan artists are credited for the Afro fusion genre, which has remained critical in the perception of Kenyan music by experts in the arts field.
To answer this, Mansoor feels that if the originality of a musician or composer is lost then his work is entirely artificial, but he is quick to add, this can be solved by using oriental music and making it contemporary for the current market needs.
In essence music communicates, it directs the way a community perceives certain things, it doesn’t matter race color, religion or ethnic origin, and according to Mansoor scientifically music has a psychological effect to the listener
In reflection of the positive advantage of music this is what Professor Akombo says of artists like Tanui, “in order to leave a lasting impact on the community she started what she called "a military intervention without spilling blood."
He goes on , “She reminded Kenyans that God created human beings in his own image, without prejudice or features given to animals like horns, tails, wings, and anything else that could make one community or race think they are special – all being conveyed through the medium of music with a single objective—to heal”.
The writer is a Kenyan Journalist – studying for an MA in Human Rights Practice at Gothenburg University – Sweden.

When the rain Pounds

A family of eight was killed Monday in Cyamuhinda Cell Muko Sector, in Gicumbi District, when torrential rains caused a landslide that swept away their house. The local daily reports - however this is not the first time such disaster has struck Gicumbi District in Rwanda’ s Western province, every rainy season similar cases are reported.
Other mountainous areas like Rubavu, Gakenke, and Nyabihu have also suffered landslides during rainy seasons putting the lives of residents at risk. Rwanda is a mountainous country – with homestead build atop hills and deep into the valleys- on the hills the residents cultivate crops- more Agricultural activities have loosened the soils leaving it bare to the effects of heavy torrents.
Through out the year Rwanda receives substantial rainfall- this has contributed to the robust harvests enjoyed in Rwanda – sweet potatoes, peas, cassava, maize and variety of fruits and vegetables are locally grown .
Also Rwanda boasts as the regions – leader in tea and coffee production – the climatic conditions are just right for this Agricultural endowment. But just in the backyard – of Kigali is a quickly manifesting slum – this could be described as a little Kibera one of the largest slums in Africa.
The Kimichanga slum - stands precariously on a hilly water logged terrain – packed with small houses held together by cracking walls-build on loose foundations –
During the rainy season residents of Kimichanga have sleepless nights- not just because of the pounding rains - but the disaster in waiting, they are afraid that they could be swept either by the torrents loose their property and lives – in their precarious residential area sitting on a hilly water logged ground.
The residents have reason to worry every time the clouds open – the surface run off wash through their houses and they have to practically scope the water out of the house.
Outside the tightly packed houses- the murky waters run free, mixing with human waste – kitchen waste and all manner of dirt all submerged in what was once drainage trenches – the waste water poses a health hazard to children paddling into the murk oblivious of the danger.
Residents of Kimichanga – who have stayed here for the better part of their life’s – live in fear - every time the torrents come they cant help but wonder if they will sail through…or sail with the rains…
Vyett Dusenge is a widow – she has lived in the slums for more than 10 years, she says, during the rainy season, the children are in danger, they become sickly yet she cannot even afford proper medical attention, let alone afford warm clothing.
“I have nothing to do about it! If God wishes, I will get a place to live because it is too risky, my house was torn into parts; either in sitting room or in our bed room and there is much water in our house but am trying to fetch out this water so that I can get a place where my Children can sleep”.
However the Rwandan Minister for Local Government Protais Musoni maintains he is aware of the danger – he says, the government has plans to move and resettle Kimichanga residents in a secure place. People should not live in the valleys but join the campaign- to get resettled in other secure places- this is a process that takes money and has to be done systematically.
He says a similar evacuation has been done in a neighboring residential area Kiyovu; the Minister attributes the situation to soil erosion and increased human activity in the concentrated slum.
Ngwinondebe Chantal heads the Kimichanga cell located in Kimihurura sector Gasabo District - the slum has existed for the past 50 years - Ngwinondebe coordinates government activities at a local level - the deplorable living conditions in the low cost residential area have been one of her greatest concerns.
Ngwinondebe is a frustrated woman, she fears that if something is not done and done very fast – residents may just be sitting on a time bomb. She says, there were times when Kimichanga was submerged with rain waters and residents were evacuated to safer grounds.
“Now the government has plans to resettle Kimichanga residents to another place, because it is scaring; you see these children and old people here are in risk where houses can fall on them. But may be there’s problem money for compensation”. Says Ngwinondebe.k
The disaster is has already been experienced in Gicumbi District, heavy rains accompanied by strong winds and hailstorms left 8 family members dead destroyed property and crops- the residents of Kimichanga fear that a similar disaster struck in Kimichanga….
While visiting the bereaved families of the Gicumbi landslide - Minister for Internal Security Musa Fazil Harerimana, was quoted saying - the tragedy is a big blow to the entire nation, and urgent measures to relocate residents to safer places far from the hills to avoid such tragedies – But it is left to question if such measures been adequately taken..
At the onset of heavy rains – similar sentiments are voiced but residents in similar situations may just be waiting for nature to take toll on their precarious abode.
The Writer is a Radio Journalist with Contact FM – Kigali Rwanda
Email:lradoli2005@yahoo.com

A family of eight was killed Monday in Cyamuhinda Cell Muko Sector, in Gicumbi District, when torrential rains caused a landslide that swept away their house. The local daily reports - however this is not the first time such disaster has struck Gicumbi District in Rwanda’ s Western province, every rainy season similar cases are reported.
Other mountainous areas like Rubavu, Gakenke, and Nyabihu have also suffered landslides during rainy seasons putting the lives of residents at risk. Rwanda is a mountainous country – with homestead build atop hills and deep into the valleys- on the hills the residents cultivate crops- more Agricultural activities have loosened the soils leaving it bare to the effects of heavy torrents.
Through out the year Rwanda receives substantial rainfall- this has contributed to the robust harvests enjoyed in Rwanda – sweet potatoes, peas, cassava, maize and variety of fruits and vegetables are locally grown .
Also Rwanda boasts as the regions – leader in tea and coffee production – the climatic conditions are just right for this Agricultural endowment. But just in the backyard – of Kigali is a quickly manifesting slum – this could be described as a little Kibera one of the largest slums in Africa.
The Kimichanga slum - stands precariously on a hilly water logged terrain – packed with small houses held together by cracking walls-build on loose foundations –
During the rainy season residents of Kimichanga have sleepless nights- not just because of the pounding rains - but the disaster in waiting, they are afraid that they could be swept either by the torrents loose their property and lives – in their precarious residential area sitting on a hilly water logged ground.
The residents have reason to worry every time the clouds open – the surface run off wash through their houses and they have to practically scope the water out of the house.
Outside the tightly packed houses- the murky waters run free, mixing with human waste – kitchen waste and all manner of dirt all submerged in what was once drainage trenches – the waste water poses a health hazard to children paddling into the murk oblivious of the danger.
Residents of Kimichanga – who have stayed here for the better part of their life’s – live in fear - every time the torrents come they cant help but wonder if they will sail through…or sail with the rains…
Vyett Dusenge is a widow – she has lived in the slums for more than 10 years, she says, during the rainy season, the children are in danger, they become sickly yet she cannot even afford proper medical attention, let alone afford warm clothing.
“I have nothing to do about it! If God wishes, I will get a place to live because it is too risky, my house was torn into parts; either in sitting room or in our bed room and there is much water in our house but am trying to fetch out this water so that I can get a place where my Children can sleep”.
However the Rwandan Minister for Local Government Protais Musoni maintains he is aware of the danger – he says, the government has plans to move and resettle Kimichanga residents in a secure place. People should not live in the valleys but join the campaign- to get resettled in other secure places- this is a process that takes money and has to be done systematically.
He says a similar evacuation has been done in a neighboring residential area Kiyovu; the Minister attributes the situation to soil erosion and increased human activity in the concentrated slum.
Ngwinondebe Chantal heads the Kimichanga cell located in Kimihurura sector Gasabo District - the slum has existed for the past 50 years - Ngwinondebe coordinates government activities at a local level - the deplorable living conditions in the low cost residential area have been one of her greatest concerns.
Ngwinondebe is a frustrated woman, she fears that if something is not done and done very fast – residents may just be sitting on a time bomb. She says, there were times when Kimichanga was submerged with rain waters and residents were evacuated to safer grounds.
“Now the government has plans to resettle Kimichanga residents to another place, because it is scaring; you see these children and old people here are in risk where houses can fall on them. But may be there’s problem money for compensation”. Says Ngwinondebe.k
The disaster is has already been experienced in Gicumbi District, heavy rains accompanied by strong winds and hailstorms left 8 family members dead destroyed property and crops- the residents of Kimichanga fear that a similar disaster struck in Kimichanga….
While visiting the bereaved families of the Gicumbi landslide - Minister for Internal Security Musa Fazil Harerimana, was quoted saying - the tragedy is a big blow to the entire nation, and urgent measures to relocate residents to safer places far from the hills to avoid such tragedies – But it is left to question if such measures been adequately taken..
At the onset of heavy rains – similar sentiments are voiced but residents in similar situations may just be waiting for nature to take toll on their precarious abode.
The Writer is a Radio Journalist with Contact FM – Kigali Rwanda
Email:lradoli2005@yahoo.com

Reflection as Rwand gears to the 15th commemoration of the 1994 Genocide

Every April Rwanda remembers the 1994 genocide tragedy – which has been described as a tragedy not only for Rwanda but against humanity –
It will not be forgotten of millions of men, women, and children who were murdered in the 100 days of massacre – and according to the National Commission for the fight against Genocide- Rwanda is looking forward and full of hope, but the past is not forgotten.
From this – therapists and psychological experts advice - are critical lessons for the future of Rwanda – and especially for the children of Rwanda – who may not have witnessed the violence, but grow with its effects.
As a Nation – heading towards the 15th Anniversary of the genocide – it is time to pose and reflect – especially for thousands of survivors who struggle, materially and physically battling with trauma. They remain vulnerable not because they live in a poor country - but mostly disadvantaged from losing the support of the family.

The street Children of Lusaka !

Imagine today - landing on the streets in down town Lusaka Zambia- and the image that meets your eye – that of a group of teenage boys and girls squatting in a sewage pond – not just the sweet surprise you expected.

But to your shock - the teenagers scantly dressed plunge their hands into the dark brown sludge gathering fistfuls of murk and stuffing it into small plastic bottles –still others loiter on the streets begging for money and sniffing glue .

This sight may repeat itself in many African towns – but in Lusaka - thousands of these children have been forced to the streets – to seek a safe haven after the harsh realities of life namely poverty HIV and Aids- and they are coming in numbers in order to survive many engage in various forms of menial work – this children have been defined under - orphans and vulnerable children-OVCs

However – it is wrongly assumed that only children affected by HIV and Aids are vulnerable – But the status could vary – Doctor Jane Muita a Pediatric HIV Aids - specialist with UNICEF Rwanda defines a vulnerable child -as all those children with basic care, abandoned affected by HIV and Aids, vulnerable to sexual violence , child labour and devoid of the realization of childrens basic needs.

In Zambia these children are especially vulnerable to commercial sex exploitation and child prostitution wide spread in Zambia. In Lusaka alone an estimated 30, 000 children are living on the streets – Luisel Mudenda is the Director of Transit Home of hope which gives temporary accommodation to homeless children- She says.

" We receive children from the police and the social welfare and basically this are children who are temporary in need for a place to stay- some children are here because they are lost – and when they get in Lusaka it’s a new place for them and they would be playing with new friends and move on to another house and by the time they get to the third house they would have gotten lost they would not remember – there cases where children have been abandoned by there care givers – whether they are parents or just other care givers – when this children have been abandoned it depends on the age- other are small and cannot tell us where they came from- some children are here with us because they are witnesses in courts -

we involve the police and social welfare services just to find out why the children are with us in the first place – basically as a transient home we offer temporary shelter mainly to children under the age of 12 – meaning that when you cannot locate the parents we can put them up for adoption with the permission of the social welfare – or we can put them in an orphanage-

There will be as many as one and half million orphaned children in Zambia by 2010 according to Unicef statistics -deprived off adult guardian by the Aids pandemic , many of these children will end up living in the streets of the country's major towns and cities.
Under the Zambian government plan that begun in 2006 – street children were swept off the streets to undergo rehabilitation- but once they attain the skills they are again let out to fend for themselves. Incapable of securing jobs they return to their old haunts and ways.Begging on the streets for money- they often become victims of police brutality – sexual abuse- or abusing substances that have serious effects on their mental development –

Unicef Head of communication Patrick Sullivan says HIV and Aids has massively contributed to the Orphans and vulnerable children crisis-

He says, " the Zambia Government clearly estimates that there are 2 million OVCs in Zambia – that’s about 20 percent of the young population– this are children of about the age of 18 in Zambia – an estimated 30 percent of children in Zambia are orphans HIV and Aids is the major cause of this OVC crisis - in Zambia and the large part of Southern Africa – that HIV has probably affected the traditional social fabric in Zambia – we already have 10, 000 child headed households-"

At the transit home - care givers are often faced with a challenge of how to handle children suspected to be HIV positive - for once they are torn between protecting the rights of the vulnerable children - to their consent on testing for HIV or risking their life where they could be put on life saving ARVs- According to Mudenda the health of a child is always top a priority-

She says it is something we cannot deny yes we have had situations where but you see a child has a right to privacy – if a child comes in the home and is healthy and playing – we do not have them tested – but if the child is ailing then we have to know how are we going to handle this case if the doctors find that this child is not responding that will be the time to get the tests done- coz we need to know how to handle the case – with the modern drugs we would be doing the child a de-service if we do not have them put on ART treatment - because so many people are HIV positive – and are dying of it there are HIV orphans and there are some children ending up on the streets coz their parents have died-and there is no one to take care of them-

However voices for the children are already beginning to heard in Zambia- public institutions are being challenged to commit to the needs of orphans and vulnerable children – Just like those who know the joy of fending for the children-

Such voices are urging their governments to start involving children affected and – to come up with ways to get children out of the streets or tell the children the truth that - it’s a survival for the fittest after rehabilitation-

Falling back into the vicious cycle - of where they scratch a miserable living to their best of ability living the law of the jungle.

Goma after the Joint Operation!

Coming from from Kigali Rwanda - descending into Goma in the Democratic Republic of Congo , the topography and human settlements drastically changes, from Gisenyi the road is filled with people walking, carrying goods on their heads, some pushing bicycles with over 90kgs of load, balancing recklessly , and posing a danger to motorists. A stop at Ruhengeri, gives as time to look over the mountainous terrain, with cascading valleys , and farms cultivated unto the top of hills . Rwanda has such a beautiful topography, but precariuos for un seasoned driver - luckly we had a proffessional at the wheel so what we had to do is relax and admire the beutiful scenery.I was travelling with my friend Peter and countryman , he was good at his tour guiding , showing the depths of the valleys and the undulating hills, the vegetation and volcanic mountyains threatening from the Congo Side. The volcanic luminous soils , in the farms , giving farmers afertile land. However he tells me that the volcanic erruptions that happened many years ago were still having their negative environmental effects on the sorrounding areas. The stretch of more that 51 kilometers took as to the border, on the beautiful Lake Kivu the highest lake at sea level placed at 42,000 meters above sea level.Peter tells me that the Volacnic action is still rife in the lake infact rwanda is using the Lake to harvest Methane gas, and they are fears that residents close to the Lake could face a threat of future eruptions.We reached Gisenyi at 6.30 Pm not a good time to see the beutiful beach and lake, but , we could not resist to look at its charm in the dusk of the sun.In the morning we crossed over to Goma, the border between rwanda and the DRC , the town is scraggy , lacking roads to connect to the other connecting provinces- business is thriving at this boarder town.Last yera Rwanda and the DRC launched a joint opeartion to rid off rebel militia who were causing havoc in the area.The operation, which was launched on Jan. 20, has led to the arrest of CNDP rebel leader Laurent Nkunda and now Edmond Garamba, spokesman for the Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Rwanda ( FDLR), which is linked to the 1994 massacre in Rwanda, this according to Lambert Mende Communication Minister in Kinshasa , the captive has been handed over to Rwanda. however before this journey on thursday fierce fighting erupted in the Masisi region of North Kivu province , when the coalition launched air bombing, killing 40 FDLR combatants including four officers and injuring 17 rebels.The raid was intended to end the FDLR menace to attack aircraft of the UN peacekeeping mission in DR Congo (MONUC) and civilian planes, the official said. And as we set to attend a MONUC day event at Goma Hotel Karibu, it did not cross to as that we are in the fighting Zone, until we apporacehed , Rwandan soldiers with their congolese counterparts patroling the streets of Goma, a sine that indeed the joint operation was working in the border town . "One cannot imagine a 100 percent success of this work against rebels who have been holed up nearly 15 years in DR Congo mende pauses'. But the essential is to break the backbone of this movement so that one can control the residue forces," declared the official. The FDLR is a root cause of DR Congo's internal conflicts and extern tensions with Rwanda. Under an African plan to restore stability in the Great Lakes region, the two neighboring countries decided to join hand in December to uproot the long-standing trouble maker for both countries. At the MONU event i got a chance to talk to a few business peolle take instance Vikesh Shah who feels the conflict had nothing much , to do with the daily business, compared to the restrictions experienced on crossing borders, of rwanda and Congo. while Joseph Bahati is a Congolese resident he says,what the peacekeeping mission was doing is to fuel the feud that has been held between Rwandans and Congolese for years - He argues that the UN forces cannot differentiate between a rebel and a civilian , and most civilians became victims of the conflict. DRC presiden Joseph Kabila himself demanded the pullback of foreign troops by the end of February with or without the operation targets fulfilled. DR Congo witnessed the invasion of both Ugandan and Rwandan troops in the 1990s. The two countries recalled their troops from DR Congo under a peace deal in 2002.Besides the military pullout, the war-torn central African country faces subtle diplomacy in another issue -- the treatment of Nkunda.The Congelese government has twice requested the extradition of the man, accusing him of committing war crimes. Rwanda wants him to be treated politically rather than in the hands of jurists.DR Congo, which won independence from Belgium in 1960, has suffered two civil wars since the 1990s. The 1998-2003 Congo war sucked in several countries in the Great Lakes region, including Angola, Zimbabwe, Rwanda and Uganda. More than 5 million people died in the bloodshed.There are still an estimated 1 million refugees in North Kivu, including 250,000 displaced in the months-old flare-up between the government forces and the CNDP. But for 80 year old Calliste Mkabo, the conflict in the DRC has done but brought alot of misery, he says, he now has to depend on wellwishers for food, and before he talked to me i had to buy him a cup of tea in a cafe, nearby. On the streets of goma , motorists cruise by, motorcycles pass at a high speed , punctuated by a survillence helicopter, the locals go on with their activities , business as usual, after a tiring day of experiences , and feeling in the sights and scenes of goma, we cross the border at 8pm driving back to Kigali exhausted, one thing established that as long as theere continues to be conflictict in the region, business will thrive and the people of Congo will adapt a life that responds to emerging conflicts in Africas vast country.

The intricates hiv/aids in Taita and Taveta

The other day i traveled to Taveta, my journey begun at 10.00PM Friday night , i slept through the journey to Voi to arrive at 5.00AM. Amazing Voi town embraced by scraggy hills was alive at that time. Surprising there was no means of transport to Taveta, at that time there were only two Nissan matatu , which were ferrying miraa, and early commuters to Taveta. There comes this young man in his early twenties he is known as Erico a stage name, he is the broker, you can never get a matatu to Taveta unless i issue a ticket to you..Since am new in the town and almost unfamiliar with the town and its on goings i get worried because Iam going to condole

The community in Taveta was challenged to look at the HIV/AIDS as real disease and change risk behaviors to help stamp out new infections. Speaking in Eldondo a small community in the heart of Taveta early last year , Eldondo parish priest Father Edward Mushi in his sermon to a funeral gathering advised the residents that its high time that residents in the area stopped searching for healing and treatment of HIV related symptoms from traditional healers , but rather to follow the advice given by caregivers and health practitioners. Father Mushi noted with concern, that though VCT centers had been opened in the region, most people were reluctant to know their status fearing that they will be stigmatized in the community. He took issue with all those who were persecuting people living with HIV, saying they were persecuting Jesus himself. Father Mushi advised that at the time a person living with HIV needed compassion love and understanding and not rejection and stigma. In his sermon there was cause to check on some factors contributing to HIV infections, and mortality rates in the district. According to a study by Population Division of the Department of Economic and Social Affairs of the United Nations, Secretariat, the factors range from.

Risky Behaviors

Reports show that risky behaviors like prostitution have led to the increases in reported cases of HIV/Aids related cases notably around the towns of Maungu (a long distance vehicles stopover) and Bura area. Certain religious groups abhor conventional medicines which they view as ungodly and as a parade of lack of faith. It is also evidenced that lives have been lost in the past especially of young ones, though this tend is speedily subsiding.

Cultural Beliefs and Practices

Belief in magic and witchcraft that leads to the seeking of alternative explanations to obvious disease occurrences have also led to deaths since by the time conventional treatments are sought, the cases would have aggravated. Cultural Beliefs and Practices Birth process is one area particularly affected by this. This is because of the general cultural belief that women should give birth in the custody of either their mothers or the mother in-law. It should be noted that first birth experience is usually the toughest and far dangerous. Lives of mothers, the child or both have been lost especially in event that complications arise. The questionable health conditions under which the traditional birth attendants practice have been blamed in the past for fatal secondary infections. However, this too is changing with the integration of traditional birth attendants into the main stream health profession especially through seminars and provision of protective gear like gloves and sterilized equipments.
· Insecurity
Though not rampant, insecurity is a contributor on mortality in the district. Deadly theft incidences and banditry have led to loss of lives in the area. The worst years under this are the 1960’s during the Shifta menace.
· Excessive Alcohol Consumption
The local brew dens have been known to have fatal consequences on those who flock them. This is because, the culture chronic of drinking is rooted within most Taita men and the conditions under which the brews are prepared are generally appalling. Drinking sprees that end with deaths or drowning as drunken people try to cross flooded rivers are a reality.
- Environmental Factors
These usually work in relation with other factors to worsen the setting such that it attains a threshold where deaths become a concern. For instance, Malaria and water borne epidemics are inherent on the environment e.g. water stagnation has led to deaths especially among the under 5yrs of age children whose immunity is low.

a friend.