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Al Ahly coach and ex-Tottenham Hotpsurs and Fulham boss Martin Jol believes his side will get a good result against Zesco United despite Monday’s league loss in Cairo.
The record eight-time African champions build-up for the Zesco game ended on a low note after losing 3-2 at home to 3rd placed Al Masry on Monday but the visitors remain top of the Egyptian Premiership table on 71 points, five more than 2nd placed Zamalek with three games left to play.
“The league defeat is from past, our focus is Zesco match. We know they are a very good team and we do respect them well. I can see a good game on Saturday,” Jol said who took up the Egyptian appointment in February
It will be the two sides second meeting in the competition since 2011 when they drew 0-0 in Ndola before Zesco lost 1-0 away in Cairo that saw them bow out at the pre-group stage.
Meanwhile, Al Ahly who leave Cairo at 23h00 on a private jet for Zambia and will arrive in the early hours of Friday morning in Ndola.
The Supreme Court has ruled in favour of Zambia Revenue Authority in the case where the High Court granted the Post Newspapers a stay which prevented ZRA from levying distress on the Post.
Events leading to this appeal were that The Post Newspapers Limited commenced judicial review proceedings challenging the decision of the Commissioner General to reject the Post’s proposal to pay its tax liabilities in installments.
The Newspaper firm was also challenging the Commissioner General to respond to a letter which was addressed to Commissioner Domestic Taxes.
In its judgment dated June, 13th 2016, the Supreme Court reversed and set aside the ruling of November 10th 2015, by the High Court.
The Supreme Court agreed with ZRA that the learned trial Judge erred in law, in granting, “stay of execution”, after he had held that the Post Newspaper’s pending appeal had no prospect of succeeding.
It noted that in effect, the learned trial Judge granted the “stay” purely for the convenience of the Post Newspaper.
The Supreme Court stated that Courts should not be swayed by sympathy into making moral judgments.
The Supreme Court also agreed with ZRA that the High Court erred in law when it granted the stay for 90 days after the decision of the Supreme Court, on the pending appeal.
The Supreme Court stated that the High Court went beyond its jurisdiction as the High Court tried to exercise the powers of the appellate court.
Further, the Supreme Court noted that the pending appeal by the Post Newspaper did not question the amount due and agreed with ZRA that in issuing of the stay, the High Court disregarded Section 77 Clause 4 of the Income Tax Act, which requires that Tax be
The Supreme Court upheld ZRA’s appeal on the basis that the High Court ought not to have granted the stay since there was nothing to stay as the judgment in issue was not capable of being stayed.
The appeal was allowed with costs to ZRA, to be taxed in default of Agreement.
On the 30th day of October, 2015, the High Court delivered its judgment in which it dismissed the Post’s motion for judicial review for want of merit.
Following the dismissal of its motion for judicial review, the Post Newspaper applied for a stay of execution of the judgment pending appeal.
On the 10th day of November, 2015, the High Court delivered its ruling and granted the Post Newspaper a stay which prevented ZRA from levying distress on the Post.
It is against the ruling of November, 10th 2015 that ZRA appealed to the Supreme Court.
The European Commission has today announced the lifting of its suspension of Zambian registered aircrafts from entering the European skies.
According to the updated the EU Air Safety List released today, Zambia is one of the countries that have been removed from the list of airlines that do not meet international safety standards, and are therefore subject to an operating ban or operational restrictions within the European Union.
Following today’s update, all airlines certified in Zambia are cleared from the list, along with Air Madagascar and three airlines certified in Indonesia namely Citilink, Lion Air and Batik Air.
In 2009, the EU banned all Zambian registered aircrafts from entering the European air space on safety grounds.
The EU Air Safety List seeks to ensure the highest level of air safety for European citizens, which is a top priority of the Aviation Strategy adopted in December 2015.
The EU Air Safety List is one of the Union’s main instruments to meet that objective.
EU Commissioner for Transport Violeta Bulc said, “aviation safety is my top priority and today’s update illustrates our continuous efforts to offer the highest level of air safety to European citizens. I am happy to say that after seven years of work and extensive European technical assistance, we were able to clear all Zambian air carriers from the list. Following my visit to Iran in April, a technical assessment was successfully carried out in May. Based on this I am happy to announce that we are now also able to allow most aircraft from Iran Air back into European skies.”
Following today’s update, a total of 216 airlines are banned from EU skies and 214 airlines certified in 19 states due to a lack of safety oversight by the aviation authorities from these states.
VICE President Inonge Wina shakes hands with a 6 year old Emmanuel Mfula after receiving flowers from at Harry Mwanga Nkumbula International Airport in Livingstone on Wednesday. The Vice President was in Livingstone to officiate at African Regional Labour Administration Centre (ARLAC) governing council meeting
Vice-president Inonge Wina has urged traditional leaders to mobilize people in their chiefdoms for development.
Mrs Wina said chiefs should engage and work together with respective district administrations to plan and spur development in their areas.
She urged the chiefs to engage the district administration and work on a strategic plan for the district for incorporation in the country’s Seventh National Development Plan.
Mrs Wina pointed out that Siavonga has vast economic potential in tourism and agriculture which need to be exploited for the benefit of the local population.
And traditional leaders in the district assured the Vice-President of their continued support to government.
Speaking on behalf of other chiefs, Chief Simamba said chiefs will work with the government to foster development.
Chief Simamba regretted that there has been a huge misconception about Southern Province stressing that not everyone belongs to the opposition United Party for National Development (UPND).
Earlier, the Vice President urged pupils at Siavonga Secondary School to concentrate on studies in order to excel in life and make meaningful contribution to the country’s development.
Minister of Local Government and House,Stephen Kampyongo (c),His Worship the Mayor of the Greater City of Lusaka,George Nyendwa and United States Ambassador to Zambia Mr.Eric Schultz, during the ground breaking in Garden Compound
Local Government and Housing Minister Stephen Kampyongo says government recognizes that dynamic and growing cities have potential to drive the economic growth of the country.
Mr. Kampyongo said local economies of cities and towns are capable of being at the centre of a vibrant and resilient national economy in which integrated systems of transport, commerce and government interact.
He said for economic development to be sustained and have impact on reducing poverty, the economies of cities must drive economic growth and respond to people’s needs.
Mr. Kampyongo said government has since enacted a number of instruments to strengthen urban planning and development such as Urban and Regional Planning Act Number 3 of 2015, which is responsive to the current planning and development challenges.
He said this in a speech read for him by Local Government and Housing Permanent Secretary Amos Malupenga during the launch of the report for “Promoting Job-Rich Urbanisation in Zambia by Zambia Institute for Policy Analysis and Research (ZIPAR), International Growth Centre (IGC) and Just Jobs Network.
He observed that the approach to development which has been anchored on the crafting of fiscal and monetary policy which operates at central government level has paid less attention to the role of well-planned cities and good urbanization to sustain economic growth.
And speaking earlier, ZIPAR Acting Executive Director Shebo Nalishebo said urban centres are the engines of economic growth as they drive the buying power and the demand for rural goods by the urban economy.
Mr. Nalishebo said the study that three institutions conducted has outlined the opportunities accorded by urbanisation to sustain growth and diversify Zambia’s economy.
Victor Mensah Event Project Manager and Finance Minister Alexndre Chikwanda inspecting the venue of the Conference at Mulungushi Conference Center
Finance Minister, Alexander Chikwanda, says Luanshya district is poised for economic recovery once
the dewatering of shaft 28 Baluba underground mine was completed.
Mr Chikwanda said that underground mining activities were an expensive but profitable undertaking capable of reviving the economy.
He was speaking in Luanshya today when he paid a courtesy call to the district administrative office this morning.
He noted that though underground mining had severe cost implications, operationalising shaft 28 once dewatered, would positively contribute to economic development.
The Finance Minister however was pleased that the Mulyasha Open Pit Mine was fully functional.
And Acting Luanshya District Commissioner, Kasemuka Mwalo, is hopeful that production in the mines would increase with the stabilising of copper prices on the international market coupled with government’s intervention of increasing electricity supply to the mines.
Mr Chikwanda, who is Patriotic Front member of the central committee, was in the district to meet party nominated candidates among other party functionaries in the district.
Police trying to force PF cadres off the UPND rally venue
Zambia Union of Financial and Allied Workers (ZUFIAW) President, Alick Mweemba, says the issue of ending political violence should not be left to the Patriotic Front (PF) as the ruling party alone but should be condemned by all well-meaning Zambians.
Mr Mweemba told ZANIS in an interview in Ndola that the violence that has rocked some parts of the country are detrimental to the economic growth of the nation.
He noted that with less than two months to the election day on August 11, 2016, political leaders should ensure that their cadres desist from all acts of violence as it will have a negative impact on investor confidence that Zambia commands.
Mr Mweemba stated that the unprecedented political violence that is taking part in some parts of the country is being driven by the high unemployment levels among the youths and poverty which many people are faced with in the nation.
He added that the government should prioritise youth empowerment programmes in order for the unemployed youths to be engaged in productive issues and not violence, adding that young people engage in violent activities because they do not have anything productive to do.
Mr Mweemba observed that for Zambia to get where it should be in terms of development there is need for all stakeholders to condemn violence as it retards development because investors with intentions to invest in the country cannot do so.
A PF cadre ready to launch an attack on UPND supporters
Muchinga Province Police Commissioner, Auxensio Daka, has called for peaceful and issue-based campaigns in the run up to the August 11 general elections.
Mr Daka has warned that political parties that will not adhere to the Electoral Code of conduct and the Public Order Act in the province risk being arrested or jail.
Mr Daka says all political parties should try by all means possible to conduct violent-free campaigns in order to maintain the good record Zambia is known for of having peaceful elections.
He said this in an interview with ZANIS yesterday following the violence that occurred in Shiwang’andu, Isoka and Mafinga districts during the United Party for National Development (UPND) campaign tour of Muchinga Province.
The Police Commissioner urged all political parties to respect one another, avoid name-calling and the use of sharp instruments such as machetes (pangas) as they campaign.
Mr Daka added that there is need for political parties to be peaceful in the manner they conduct their campaigns, be it from the ruling party (PF) or the opposition to ensure that there is no bloodshed in the country.
He called on all political parties to aim at explaining their manifestos to electorate without engaging in political violence.
The Police Commissioner has further warned politicians of stern action if they do not follow the laid-down procedure of conducting campaigns.
Mr Daka has called on all Zambians, in particular people of Muchinga, to continue safeguarding the peace that the country has been enjoying over the years and promote the ‘One Zambia, One Nation’ motto.
He has also called on the Church mother bodies to continue praying for the nation before, during and after the polls.
However, the Provincial Police Commissioner thanked the people of Chama district for not engaging in political violence during the United Party for National Development (UPND) rally held yesterday.
President Lungu at Myooye Seconday school in Mumbwa
President Edgar Lungu says Government is eager to develop communities in the countryside so as to foster development in rural areas.
President Lungu says this will be done through creating linkages between villages and districts. This link between villages and districts will be done through construction of road infrastructure, schools and hospitals.
He said this after touring developmental projects in Nangoma constituency of Mumbwa district in Central province on Wednesday.
President Lungu has also donated 60 computers to Myooye Primary School in Nangoma constituency to enable pupils be equipped with Information Communication Technology skills.
And President Lungu has assured Chief Shakumbila of the Ila people of Mumbwa district that Government will work on the road from Mumbwa to Nangoma which is in bad state.
He said the road will be upgraded to bituminous standard this year.
The Head of State said the road was important for both transportation and providing access to natural resources such as the Blue Lagoon National Park which promotes tourism.
President Lungu said this when he paid a courtesy call on senior Chief Shakumbila at his palace.
Welcoming the Head of State, the Chief advised his subjects in the district to desist from engaging in violence during campaigns ahead of the August 11, 2016 general elections.
The traditional leader has warned that he will not tolerate any one found engaging in violence in his chiefdom.
He has since advised that it was important for citizens to respect the incumbent President and his government in order for development to be realised in the area.
President Lungu is in Mumbwa district in Central Province to inspect developmental projects.
President Lungu at Myooye Seconday school in MumbwaPresident Edgar Lungu assist in Pumping water at Myooye Secondary in Mumbwa on Wednesday 15th June 2016- Picture by EDDIE MWANALEZA/STATEHOUSE.President Lungu addres Pupils at Myooye Seconday school in MumbwaPresident Lungu addres Pupils at Myooye Seconday school in MumbwaPresident Edgar Lungu assist in Pumping water at Myooye Secondary in Mumbwa on Wednesday 15th June 2016- Picture by EDDIE MWANALEZA/STATEHOUSE.President Edgar Lungu address Myooye Secondary in Mumbwa on Wednesday 15th June 2016- Picture by EDDIE MWANALEZA/STATEHOUSE.
Wezi releases the song “Mwenzeko (Mama knows best)” .The song is produced byMainza Chipenzi.
She had this to say about the song:
“I’d like to share a very sentimental public display of affection towards the woman that saw it all before it became reality, now I am an award winning artist. A song called Mwenzeko, meaning “you were there” is a song dedicated to my mother and every other mother figure out there and all females that sacrifice so much to raise champions. African mothers are the best, Zambian mothers are awesomeness at its highest degree. I’m nothing without my mom’s prayers”
GBM arrives at court
UPND Vice President Geoffrey Mwamba has instructed youths in the party to hit back whenever they are attacked by PF cadres.
Mr Mwamba said UPND youths cannot continue absorbing the amount of provocation from PF cadres.
He said UPND officials have been harassed and beaten up by PF cadres who have also disrupted party events on numerous occasions and that the police have failed to act on such reports.
Mr Mwamba recounted that Monday’s attack on the UPND campaign team in Shiwangandu area in Muchinga was an indication that the PF youths had gone too far.
He was speaking in Lusaka yesterday at the Magistrates Complex when he addressed his supporters.
Mr Mwamba was in court to hear his application to have the case in which he is accused of proposing violence regarding a comment he made that he will go for President Edgar Lungu’s throat.
His legal team had applied that his case be transferred to the Constitutional Court to determine whether the use of idioms in politics was illegal but the court refused to grant the application.
Delivering the ruling, Magistrate Jennifer Bwalya said the defence had failed to raise substantive constitutional matters to warrant referring the matter to the constitutional court for determination.
Magistrate Bwalya said the court had sufficient facts to proceed with trial.
The matter has since been adjourned to 19th July 2016 for mention and 19th August for commencement of trial.
Addressing his supporters outside court, Mr Mwamba who is also UPND presidential running mate charged that President Lungu has failed to handle political violence.
He however cautioned UPND cadres to refrain from causing violence but that they should be quick to defend themselves whenever they are attacked.
Mr Mwamba said it was clear that the PF youths in Shiwangandu intended to cause a plane crash by stoning the helicopter in an effort to have it crash land.
Meanwhile, PF cadres went on rampage in Lusaka’s Northmead shopping area and destroyed vehicles and property belonging to people suspected to be members of the PF.
Around mid-day, a large group of youths clad in UPND attire mercilessly destroyed vehicles and makeshift stalls belonging to people who were wearing PF attire.
The UPND youths were heard shouting that they were attacking PF members in Northmead in revenge attacks on the attacks on their leaders in Shiwangandu.
And a statement the Police Spokesperson said, “We received a report where people clad in UPND regalia drove to Lusaka’s Northmead area and smashed some vehicles that were on sale. The same group later proceeded to Garden compound where they are reported to have assaulted two people.”
“We compile statistics after receiving reports from divisions. Most of them are still undergoing Investigations. Most of these violence happens where we are not present. Hence the delays in concluding Investigations.”
UPND presidential running mate Geoffrey Mwamba has challenged the PF Government to go ahead and arrest him if they believe that he submitted forged academic papers to the Electoral Commission of Zambia.
And Mr Mwamba has revealed that he did not submit any academic papers from Zimbabwe but that all his academic documents were from the United Kingdom.
Mr Mwamba who is also UPND Vice President said the reported investigation going on between the Zimbabwe Examinations Authority and the Examinations Council of Zambia is a waste of time.
He has disclosed that the Advanced Diploma in Business and Finance he submitted to the Electoral Commission of Zambia was validated by ECZ Chairman Essau Chulu because it was authentic.
Mr Mwamba was speaking this morning when he featured on a special radio programme on Radio Phoenix alongside party leader Hakainde Hichilema and former Vice President Guy Scott.
“You see, I was very smart, I never presented any papers from Zimbabwe because I know the relationship between Mugabe and President Lungu. They would have gone to fidget with the papers so I only gave them the papers from the U.K,” Mr Mwamba said.
He also disclosed that officials from the Zambian High Commission in the UK got in touch with the UK College to verify the information about his academic records and that they were provided with the information they requested for.
“I am very sure this is the information that they supplied to the Electoral Commission of Zambia and this is why Judge Essau Chulu had to accept them. I also got a letter from the Zambia Qualifications Authority which also authenticated my qualifications. So my nomination is very valid. What they are doing is mere political propaganda. In Bemba, we say Baloba ilya uma (they have fished a dry fish).”
Mr Mwamba wondered why his qualifications are the only ones drawing public interest when it is in public domain that even President Lungu’s running mate Inonge Wina’s credentials are questionable.
He also revealed that he is currently studying for a Degree with another UK university and that he will be graduating in the next few weeks.
The UPND presidential running mate has since challenged ECZ Chairman Essau Chulu to resign immediately if it is proven that he accepted and validated forged papers.
“Who is the Chairman of ECZ? Isn’t it Judge Chulu? He should now resign if they are saying I presented forged papers.”
“They are busy talking about GBM because they are jittery. They know that we are going to wallop them and they are now running scared,” he said.
Mr Mwamba has since challenged the ECZ to publish the qualifications of all those that are vying for political offices from Presidential, MPS, Mayors to Councillors.
He said Zambians are now resolved to remove what he called the inept leadership of President Lungu.
“Zambians don’t want to see this party continue in Government because we are all now suffering, prices of all commodities have escalated. President Lungu has increased his salary three times while he only gave civil servants a paltry 5 percent hike.”
He added, “Edgar Lungu could not even afford to buy a suit in 2015 now he is using public resources to hire 10 helicopters and bring in Chitenges to cover the trees. This is exactly what happened in 2011. The PF didn’t have anything but we beat the MMD.”
And Mr Hichilema says focusing on Mr Mwamba’s academic qualifications is a non-issue and that those peddling the issue are being malicious.
He said there are more pressing issues in this election which Zambians should be focusing on and not talking about Mr Mwamba’s qualifications.
Mr Hichilema said the ruling of Justice Sichinga in the Grade 12 qualifications matter has rendered the issue closed.
“I think Judge Sichinga, if I am not mistaken ruled that any other qualifications beyond Grade 12 will suffice. In my case, I didn’t even submit my Grade 12 certificate, I, instead, gave them my Degree certificate. Maybe they should be questioning my papers and not GBM’s but I also got a letter from the Zambia Qualifications Authority authenticating my qualifications so the matter is now closed.”
The eighteen countries that signed the Arusha protocol of new variety of plants were Botswana, The Gambia, Ghana, Kenya, Liberia, Lesotho, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, Rwanda, São Tomé and Príncipe, Sierra Leone, Sudan, Swaziland, United Republic of Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia and Zimbabwe.
Statement issued by the Alliance for Food Sovereignty in Africa (AFSA)
On 06 July 2015, in Arusha, Tanzania, a Diplomatic Conference held under the auspices of the African Regional Intellectual Property Organisation (ARIPO) adopted a harmonised regional legal framework for the protection of plant breeders’ rights—the Arusha Protocol for the Protection of New Varieties of Plants (the ‘Arusha PVP Protocol’).
The Arusha PVP Protocol is a slightly revised version of a previous Draft ARIPO Protocol for the Protection of New Varieties of Plants (the ‘ARIPO PVP Protocol’). The previous Draft has come under consistent and severe attack by the Alliance for Food Sovereignty in Africa (AFSA) because it is based on a Convention known as UPOV 1991—a restrictive and inflexible international legal precept, totally unsuitable for Africa. Crucially, the ARIPO PVP Protocol proposed extremely strong intellectual property rights to breeders while restricting the age-old practices of African farmers freely to save, use, share and sell seeds and/or propagating material. These practices are the backbone of agricultural systems in Sub-Saharan Africa; they have ensured the production and maintenance of a diverse pool of genetic resources by farmers themselves, and have safe-guarded food and nutrition for tens of millions of Africans in the ARIPO region.
[pullquote]The Arusha PVP Protocol is part of the broader thrust in Africa to ensure regionally seamless and expedited trade in commercially bred seed varieties for the benefit, mainly, of the foreign seed industry.[/pullquote]
The Arusha PVP Protocol is part of the broader thrust in Africa to ensure regionally seamless and expedited trade in commercially bred seed varieties for the benefit, mainly, of the foreign seed industry. Multinational seed companies intend to lay claim to seed varieties as their private possessions and to prevent others from using these varieties without the payment of royalties.
Germplasm developed by farming households over centuries is increasingly under threat of privatisation; and ecologically embedded farming practices risk being destabilised and dislodged. The broader modernisation thrust of which the Arusha PVP Protocol is an intrinsic part, is designed to facilitate the transformation of African agriculture from peasant-based production to inherently inequitable, inappropriate and ecologically damaging Green Revolution/industrial agriculture. Such a transformation will lead to many farming households being threatened with marginalisation or extinction, without alternative options for survival. It is worthwhile to note that a 2002 Food and Agriculture Organisation and World Bank study, the International Assessment of Knowledge, Science and Technology (IAASTD), strongly recommended a complete shift away from the Green Revolution’s industrial agriculture to agroecology.
Exclusion of African Civil Society
Despite AFSA’s well-established track record of constructive engagement with ARIPO on the Draft ARIPO PVP Protocol, and despite it being a Pan African network of African regional farmers and NGOs, working with millions of African farmers and consumers, AFSA was purposely excluded from the Arusha deliberations. This restriction stands in sharp contrast to inclusion in the deliberations of the UPOV Secretariat, and other foreign entities, including the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO), the World Intellectual Property Organisation (WIPO) the European Community Plant Variety Office (CPVO) and the French National Seed and Seedling Association (GNIS). The commercial seed industry (e.g. the African Seed Trade Association (AFSTA)) was particularly well represented.
The Arusha PVP Protocol has major implications for national decision-making. AFSA’s exclusion is a violation of the right of farmers to participate in decision-making on matters related to plant genetic resources for food and agriculture (Article 9.2(c ) of the International Treaty on Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture (ITPGRFA).
Least Developed Countries and sui generis options
Upon adoption, the Arusha PVP Protocol was immediately signed by representatives of the governments of Ghana, Mozambique, Sao Tome and Principe, and the Gambia. Ironically, Mozambique, the Gambia and Sao Tome and Principe are defined as Least Developed Countries (LDCs), along with a further 10 of the 19 members of ARIPO—some of the poorest countries in the world. LDCs are currently not under any international obligation to provide any form of plant variety protection until 2021, let alone one based on UPOV 1991! In any event, all countries have an option to develop sui generis (i.e. unique) plant variety protection systems that cater for their specific conditions. Acceptance of the Arusha PVP Protocol will eliminate this option. Smaller countries are bullied into accepting their subordination to regional bodies that are dominated by more powerful foreign countries and multinational corporate interests.
National sovereignty and slight changes
During the deliberations in Arusha, several delegations raised serious concerns that the Draft ARIPO PVP Protocol eroded national sovereignty because of the extensive decision-making powers vested in the ARIPO Plant Breeders Rights Office (PBRO), which operates at a regional level. The government of Malawi, in particular, said that this would “have a demeaning and nullifying effect”. Consequently, after long hours of negotiation, changes were made that now give Contracting States an explicit right to object to any Plant Breeders’ Right (PBR)—as granted by the ARIPO PBRO, regionally—in which event the PBR will not be awarded national protection. Further, Contracting States and not the ARIPO PBRO will have the right to issue compulsory licenses in the public interest. Notwithstanding these changes, a centralised regional PVP approval system will be established and the ARIPO PBRO will have full authority to grant and administer breeders’ rights on behalf of all Contracting States (e.g. to decide whether or not to grant protection, nullify or cancel PBRs, etc.). These regionally granted PBRs will have a uniform effect in all Contracting States. Expediently, Contracting States will be required to put scarce public resources at the disposal of breeders to enforce breeders’ rights at the national level.
Ratifications and joining UPOV 1991—shirking the (ITPGRFA)
The Arusha PVP Protocol will come into force when four member states of ARIPO ratify it. In April 2014 the UPOV Council, at the cost of breaking its own rules, verified that the Draft ARIPO PVP Protocol conformed to the 1991 Act of the UPOV Convention, allowing ARIPO itself as well as ARIPO Members that ratify the Protocol, to become a Party to the 1991 UPOV Convention. With the new changes, to become a member of UPOV 1991, ARIPO will have to re-submit the Arusha PVP Protocol to the UPOV Council, to reassess its conformity with the 1991 Act.
AFSA calls on UPOV members to reject the Arusha PVP Protocol. On numerous occasions AFSA has challenged the legitimacy of the whole process—leading up to and culminating in the adoption of the Arusha PVP Protocol.
AFSA has also indicated, in many public statements during discussions on the Protocol, that UPOV 1991 restricts farmers’ rights to save, exchange and sell farm-saved-seed and/or the propagating material of protected varieties in their possession. Farmers’ rights are recognised in the ITPGRFA yet this has been ignored by the fourteen member states of ARIPO that are also Parties to the ITPGRFA. By adopting the Arusha PVP Protocol these countries have placed the rights of plant breeders ahead of farmers’ rights.
AFSA vows to continue struggle for seed sovereignty
AFSA is vehemently opposed to the Arusha PVP Protocol. This Protocol’s underlying imperatives are to increase corporate seed imports, reduce breeding activity at the national level, and facilitate the monopoly by foreign companies of local seed systems and the disruption of traditional farming systems. AFSA remains committed to ensuring that farmers, as breeders and users,remain at the centre of localised seed production systems and continue to exercise their rights freely to save, use, exchange, replant, improve, distribute and sell all the seed in their seed systems.
15 people suspected to be Somalian nationals have died in a containerised truck on the pedicle road in an apparent case of human trafficking gone wrong.
The Truck registered AFB 496 from Kasama was carrying over 50 Somalians suspected to be trafficked from Tanzania.
The final destination of the victims is unclear at this stage.
The Truck carrying bags of beans in front but had Somalians hidden behind.
Apparently passers-by are said to have forced the driver to open the truck when they heard noises coming from the truck.
At the scene, 20 Km from Levy Mwanawasa Bridge in Chembe, bodies were found strewn on the ground and over 30 survivors narrated that they were transferred from another truck and were picked from Kasama but the new truck had no ventilation which made their colleagues suffocate to death.
The driver is detained by Police on the Congo side.
Bodies of suspected Somalians strewn on the groundBodies of suspected Somalians strewn on the ground after the suffocated in a truckLifeless bodies of suspected Somalians strewn on the ground
