In just under a month, Kenya will be on the ballot for one of the five vacant slots reserved for non-permanent members of the United Nations Security Council. Kenya’s bid follows a resounding endorsement by the African Union in August 2019; a reaffirmation of the trust the Union has in Kenya’s leadership to pursue the continent’s interests in the Council.

Kenya is renowned for many things: it is the archeological cradle of mankind; its galaxy of middle and long distance runners have dominated the world athletics scene for decades; and, its tourist attractions, that includes the great annual wildebeest migration, the Great Rift Valley, the Maasaii Mara, the expansive beaches and mountainous landscape, are, probably, unrivalled. In addition to these and many others is that the country stands out as a global thought leader and a champion for galvanizing regional and global consensus on matters of international concern.

Following its endorsement as African Union’s candidate, Kenya has run a campaign based on a “Ten Point Agenda”. The Agenda focuses on regional and global concerns that the country champions, namely: building bridges; peace keeping and support operations; regional peace and security; countering terrorism and prevention of extremism; women, peace and security; youth empowerment; humanitarian action; justice, human rights and democracy; environment and climate change; and, sustainable development goals.

The ‘building bridges’ agenda resonates at the domestic level in deepening our democratic credentials while securing the peace during political transitions and elections. This agenda is particularly relevant today as the world needs multilateral consensus the global COVID-19 pandemic and its adverse effects. President Uhuru Kenyatta who is the current President of the Organization of African, Caribbean and Pacific States and a member of the Bureau of African Union Heads of State and Government has been at the forefront engaging world leaders and institutions in proffering solutions for concerted response measures. During its tenure in the UNSC, Kenya will pursue an approach that ensures the achievement of world peace, security and sustainable development.

Kenya has played a leading role in promoting inclusive and sustainable development in Africa and beyond. It co-facilitated with Ireland the post-2015 Development Agenda Process leading to adoption of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. Domestically, Kenya has made substantial progress towards the achievement of SDGs, also developed under its co-chairpersonship, recognizing that sustainable development and peace and security are mutually dependent.

In Africa, Kenya is an anchor state and guarantor of regional peace and security. Kenya made immense contributions in the process leading to the signing of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement also known as the “Naivasha Agreement” in 2005 between the Government of the Sudan the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement. It also played a key role in the Somali peace process and continues to support South Sudan and Somalia in their peace and state building efforts.  Additionally, Kenya has taken part in peace missions across 40 countries and runs one of the largest and oldest peacekeeping training centers on the continent; the International Peace Support Training Center. Further, Kenya stands out as an excellent example for the progressive achievement of gender equality in peace keeping, having one of the highest percentage of female officers serving in peacekeeping missions. Kenya intends to vigorously pursue the promotion of the women, peace and security agenda during its tenure as non-permanent member of the UNSC.

Over the years, Kenya, which was home to the late Prof. Wangari Maathai – the first African Woman Nobel Peace Laureate- has a long and distinguished tradition in conservation and environmental protection. It is the first East African nation to establish a legal framework on climate change with laws against high carbon development and a ban on single-use plastic. Kenya will leverage on her experience and position as host country for the United Nations Environmental Programme to give a fresh momentum and support to the global environmental agenda.

On humanitarian action, Kenya has demonstrated its commitment to standing for peace by providing a haven for over 600,000 refugees fleeing conflict and instability in Somalia, South Sudan and other parts of Africa and indeed further afield. By the same token, the 2010 Kenyan Constitution is one of the most transformative and progressive documents on the African continent based on its guarantees of basic human rights and the power it gives citizens to determine how they are to be led.

One of the most significant threats to Kenya’s security has been terrorism and violent extremism. Apart from counter terrorism measures at the domestic level, Kenya has been an integral part of regional and global efforts particularly in putting in place punitive measures to dismantle terrorist networks wherever they are. Kenya will vigorously pursue this agenda in the Council with a view to creating an environment for the achievement of long-lasting and sustainable peace and development.

With this set of credentials, it is evident that Kenya has a wealth of experience that it would bring to bear as a non-permanent member of the United Nations Security Council.

Amb. Raychelle Omamo, SC,EGH

Kenya’s Foreign Affairs Cabinet Secretary

Indian Ministry of External Affairs’statement of 5 June 2020 is continuation of their desperate campaign to divert international attention from India’s state-terrorism in Indian Occupied Jammu and Kashmir.

Ansar Bhatti

ISLAMABAD, JUNE 8 /DNA / = Pakistan has categorically rejected India’s malicious assertions based on complete distortion of facts to advance its false and self-serving narrative. Even the remarks of the Prime Minister of Pakistan have been completely twisted. This mischievous attempt is highly condemnable.

According to Foreign Office spokesperson Aisha Farooque, the Indian Ministry of External Affairs’statement of 5 June 2020 is continuation of their desperate campaign to divert international attention from India’s state-terrorism in Indian Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IOJ&K) and its continuing crimes against the Kashmiri people.

Pakistan has been the principal victim of terrorism, including terrorism perpetrated against our people from across the border. Tens of thousands of our citizens have lost their lives,while thousands of our valiant law enforcement personnel have made the ultimate sacrifice in Pakistan’s resolute fight against terrorism. Pakistan’s sacrifices and contribution in combating the scourge of terrorism have been recognized by the international community.

Senior Indian officials and other Indian commentators have frequently boasted about destabilizing parts of Pakistan and of their nefarious designs to use terrorism as state policy against Pakistan.Today, the Hindutva-driven saffron terror against India’s minorities, Indian state-terrorism in IOJ&K, and India’s use of terrorism as an instrument to destabilize its neighbours stands fully exposed.

It is India that is seeking to distort and misrepresent the report of the UN Security Council’s Analytical Support and Sanctions Monitoring Team to promote its anti-Pakistan propaganda. We are sure that the world community will not be misled.

Pakistan’s role as a facilitator to the ongoing peace process in Afghanistan has been widely acknowledged by the relevant international partners.

A Taliban official also reported that Taliban leadership, known as Rehbari Shoura, has approved the commencement of the intra-Afghan talks.

QATAR, JUNE 8 /DNA / = The US Special Representative for Afghanistan Reconciliation Zalmay Khalilzad and Commander of US forces in Afghanistan General Scott Miller met with the deputy leader for the Taliban Mullah Ghani Baradar in Doha.

Suhail Shaheen, the political spokesperson for the Taliban tweeted that the two sides discussed the kick start of the long-awaited intra-Afghan dialogue.

“Both sides talked about the speedy release of the prisoners and commencement of intra-Afghan negotiations,” Shaheen said.

A Taliban official also reported that Taliban leadership, known as Rehbari Shoura, has approved the commencement of the intra-Afghan talks. Majority of the council members, who met during the month of Ramadan, opined that if parts of the peace agreement with the United States, particularly the release of Taliban prisoners, were implemented then there was no harm in starting the dialogue, a Taliban official familiar with the process has told.

Another meeting of the Shoura will decide the agenda for the intra-Afghan dialogue which is expected to be held soon,” the official.

Meanwhile, sources close to the Taliban said that based on initial agreements between the engaged sides, the intra-Afghan negotiations will be held in Doha.

DNA

DUSHANBE,–  In order to limit the effects of COVID- 19 on the socio-economic spheres, and being guided by Article 69 of the Constitution,  President Rahmon has issued an executive order that aims to alleviate the hardships incurred by individuals and businesses as a result of the pandemic.

According to the order, doctors and medical personnel who come into direct contact with patients with suspected or confirmed COVID-19 infection, will be provided with additional financial benefits until the situation stabilizes.

Those undergoing medical treatment for COVID-19, participants in the Great Patriotic War of 1941-1945, recipients of social pensions, individuals with disabilities, orphans and homeless children, impoverished families, and families of labor migrants left without a breadwinner will receive one-time payments equivalent to a month’s minimum wage.

In order to reduce production costs, prevent inflation, increased prices for domestic products and other services, the planned increase in tariffs for electricity, water, irrigation, communication and utilities will be postponed until the end of this year.

Earmarked funds from the reserve funds of the state budget and extra-budgetary funds for 2020 will be used to replenish state material resources, by purchasing grain, seeds of agricultural crops, pesticides and fuel.

From April 1 to September 1, 2020, tax obligations will be suspended for tourism businesses, hotels, public catering organizations, health and sports centers, resorts, international passenger transportation companies. Accreted interest for late tax payments for this period will be eliminated.

From May 1 to August 1, 2020, small and medium-sized businesses that have completely suspended their activities in connection with the pandemic are freed from their rent payment obligations for state property.

From May 1 to September 1, 2020 it is no longer permissible to apply tax liability to business entities that have not paid social tax on time.

From May 1 to August 1, 2020, sole proprietors working in markets, shopping centers, in consumer services, including in beauty salons, fashion ateliers and tailor shops, are free from paying taxes.

ATTOCK, JUNE 7 (DNA) – The Pakistan Sikh Gurdwara Parbandhak committee (PSGPC) along with other Sikh representative bodies staged a symbolic ‘registered protest on Attack on Golden temple” amid COVID-19 outbreak, to pay homage to the victims at Gurdwara Punja Sahib Hassanabdal on Sunday.

On the 36th anniversary of Indian army attack on the most sacred and important Gurdwara for the Sikhs  “Darbar Sahib” – known as the Golden Temple in June 1984, PSGPC leaders along with other members of Sikh community staged protest in solemn solidarity with the Sikh community and families of the victims at Gurdwara Punja Sahib Hassanabdal.

The Sikh community was carrying placards inscribed with different slogans like “Never forget 1984”, “6 June- we want justice”, “Sikhs can never forget 1984” and condemning the Sikh Genocide 1984. The protest was symbolic in nature due to SoP issued by the government and local administration in wake of COVID- 19. The protesting Sikh leaders also raised pro-Khalistan slogans during this protest.

“We are undertaking a genocide remembrance protest against the Indian government for attacking and demolishing the supreme Sikh throne Sri Akal Takht Sahib and to pay homage to the people who fought and to tell the government of India that we have not forgotten the bloodshed of thousands of Sikhs including women and children during operation Blue Star”, Said Pardhan of Pakistan Sikh Gurdwara Prabandhak Committee Sardar Satwant Singh while addressing to protesting Sikhs.

He added that “We are observing the protest on the call of Sri Akal Takht Sahib- highest religious body of Sikhs”. Sardar Ameer Singh- Pakistan Sikh Gurdwara Prabandhak Committee said the sacrifices of the thousand of Sikhs for their sacred caused would not go in vain and the struggle they launched would be carried forward till the logical conclusion.

During speeches, the leaders of the Sikh community also paid rich tribute to their slain freedom-fighting leader Sardar Jarnail Singh and his hundreds of followers who were ruthlessly killed by Indian troops in the first week of June 1984 at Golden Temple and Sri Akal Takhat Amritsar in ruthless operation Blue Star.

Later, the protesters later also performed Ardas (rituals) in the memory of those who perished during the heinous attack on Sikh religion followers in year 1984 in India.=DNA

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