There's Evidence Of War Crimes In Ukraine By Moscow — Investigators

By Erhirhie Julius Otadafe 

A UN team of experts investigating possible human rights violations in Ukraine by Russia in its seven months invasion on Friday said there are evidences that Moscow committed war crimes. 

 

The Human Rights Council-backed experts from the Commission of Inquiry of UN set up earlier this year focussed on four regions – Kyiv, Chernihiv, Kharkiv, and Sumy.

During the investigation, the Commission visited 27 towns and spoke with 150 victims and witnesses as part of their initial investigation, inspecting graves and place of detention and torture.

Victims described beatings, electric shocks, and forced nudity in Russian detention centres, the commission said.

"Based on the evidence gathered by the commission, it has concluded that war crimes have been committed in Ukraine," Erik Møse, the commission's chairman, told the Human Rights Council.

Commission member Pablo de Greiff told reporters the team had “found two instances of ill-treatment of Russian Federation soldiers by Ukrainian soldiers. ... We have found obviously significantly larger numbers of incidences that amount to war crimes on the part of the Russian Federation.”

The team travelled in June to Bucha outside Kyiv where authorities found mass graves after Russian forces retreated from the area in late March.

“We were struck by the large number of executions in the areas that we visited. The commission is currently investigating such deaths in 16 towns and settlements,” Møse said, but he did not specify which side allegedly committed the executions.

The experts also found that some Russian soldiers committed sexual or gender-based crimes including sexual violence, torture or inhumane treatment. The victims ranged in age from four to 82-years-old.

The findings echo reports by news outlets and others of the destruction, death and despair in Ukraine since Russia launched its invasion in late February.

The Commission's findings could ultimately contribute to the work of International Criminal Court prosecutors who could bring charges over war crimes in Ukraine, although it remains uncertain whether Russia or other alleged perpetrators will ever face justice.

European Council Deplores Russia's 'Web Of Lies' Used To Justify Aggression

By Erhirhie Julius Otadafe

Charles Michel, president of the European Council, spoke at the UN General Assembly on Friday and criticized Russia's invasion of Ukraine, saying it had put hundreds of millions of people in danger of starvation, heat exhaustion, or energy shortages.

"This is hybrid warfare. It combines the poison of lies with the violence of weapons, according to Mr. Michel, who was speaking about the Kremlin's fabrications that have been used to justify the war as a defence against the alleged genocide of Russian speakers in Ukraine.

He declared that it is improper and nasty.

The idea that Russia's attack would be a "special operation" rather than a war was also included in its "web of lies."

However, Mr. Michel confirmed that the conflict is "unprovoked, illegitimate, and unjustified" and that it is intended to forcibly alter internationally recognized borders.

He continued by referencing the myth that sanctions on Russia would result in a lack of food and fertilizer, noting that even before the war, Russia itself had dramatically curtailed its shipments of cereals and fertilizer, "favouring the volatility of prices" on the global market.

Moreover, the European Union (EU) provided "solidarity corridors" to export millions of tons of food from Ukraine while Russia militarily shut down the Black Sea ports, preventing marine trade.

The president of the European Council said, "In reality, there is a very simple approach to address the food crisis: for Russia to terminate the war, withdraw from Ukrainian land, and lift the port blockade.

He went on to say that the only motivations for "this war of colonization" against Ukraine are imperialism and retribution, and that the aggression has purposefully flouted international law and the UN Charter.

Mr. Michel emphasized that the use of nuclear weapons as a threat and as a military base at the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power station "must stop" and pledged the assistance of the EU to the International Atomic Emergency's (IAEA) efforts to re-establish security at Europe's largest nuclear plant.

Indicating that the EU prefers collaboration over threats, respect for borders over aggressiveness, and a rules-based system over the survival of the fittest, he said: "Today, Russia is dangerous. The Kremlin reintroduced war to Europe.

The President continued by issuing a warning not to allow its destructive acts to compromise "our ardent desire to work for the common good."

Burkina Faso Coup-leader Justifies His Military Takeover At UNGA

By Asefon Opeyemi Chris

Burkina Faso’s coup leader-turned-president, Lt. Col. Paul Henri Sandaogo Damiba has justified his military takeover at the 77th session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA77). 

The junta leader who acknowledged that the overthrow was “perhaps reprehensible” and inconsistent with the UN’s values, added that it was “necessary and indispensable.”

“It was, above all, an issue of survival for our nation,” he said. That’s even if it was “perhaps reprehensible in terms of the principles held dear by the United Nations and the international community as a whole.”

The coup in Burkina Faso’s coup came in the wake of similar takeovers in Mali and in Guinea, heightening fears of a rollback of democracy in West Africa.

None of the juntas has committed to a date for new elections.

Many in Burkina Faso, however, supported the military takeover, frustrated with the previous government’s inability to stem extremist violence that has killed thousands and displaced at least 2 million.

Yet the violence has failed to wane in the months since Lt. Col.  Damiba took over.

Earlier this month, he also took over the position of defense minister after dismissing a brigadier general from the post.

The Burkina Faso leader said on Friday that his transitional government will remain in power for almost two more years despite calls from West African neighbors for a quicker return to democratic rule.

But Lt. Col. Damiba gave no precise date for the holding of new elections in his speech to the UN General Assembly.

He warned, however, that the insurgency embroiling Burkina Faso has security risks for the rest of the world too emphasizing that Europe “is the closest continent to Africa.”

“No precautions or prevention measures will prevent terrorism from crossing the Atlantic if the Sahel is abandoned,” Damiba said.

“Nothing at all will be able to stop the youth in the Sahel countries and its surroundings from giving in to the temptation of perilous immigration to Europe through the Sahara and the Mediterranean if these youth no longer have any hope by staying at home.”

Chad Demands Permanent African Seats At UN Security Council

By Asefon Opeyemi Chris

Chad has tasked the United Nations, UN on ensuring that African states get permanent seats at the intergovernmental organization security souncil. 

Making the demand at the 77th session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA77), Chad's Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, Awatif El Tidjani Ahmed Koiboro, said it would "correct an historic injustice" and help countries in the G5 Sahel.

She said: "On the reform of the Security Council, the body responsible for peace and international security, Chad once again urges member states to move from rhetoric to action in order to achieve the said reform and correct the historic injustice towards the African continent, which excludes it from full and equal participation in this body."

It is worthwhile to note that the Security Council is the only UN body that can make legally binding decisions like imposing sanctions and authorizing use of force. It has five permanent veto-wielding members: the United States, Britain, France, China and Russia.

The African continent usually has two to three non-permanent seats on the Security Council, currently held by Kenya, Tunisia and Niger.

Speaking on internal situation of the Sahel region, Chad regretted Mali's recent withdrawal from the G5 Sahel, stressing that Bamako is a founding member of the joint force. 

"We will not be able to defeat terrorism, stabilise and develop the Sahel, without a common fight and pooling of resources," said Ms Koiboro. 

"We hope that our Malian brothers will reconsider their decision and rejoin our common organization. The door of the G5 Sahel is always wide open to welcome them," she added. 

In December last year the UN and the African Union pledged to work together with the G5 Sahel and Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) to improve security and governance.

UNGA 77: Nigeria Reiterates Commitment To Renewable Energy Transition

 

By Asefon Opeyemi Chris 

President Muhammadu Buhari has restated the commitment of the Nigerian government towards ensuring that there is a rapid and strategic transition to renewable energy in response to the worldwide efforts for the preservation of the environment.

This is contained in a statement issued on Thursday by Mr Femi Adesina, the President’s media aide, on the sidelines of a Leaders’ Closed-Door Meeting on Climate Change convened by the Secretary General of the United Nations, Mr. Antonio Guterres.

The President disclosed that Nigeria had in august this year, launched a home-grown, data-backed, multi-pronged energy transition plan, which is the country’s framework for achieving net-zero emissions by 2060.

He said the data-backed energy transition plan highlights the use of renewable energy technologies to transform Nigeria into a clean energy-led economy.

Nigeria’s energy transition plan is projected to create 340,000 jobs by 2030 and up to 840,000 jobs by 2060, driven by the transportation, clean cooking and power sectors. 

According to him, emerging technologies like hydrogen and bioenergy would create pathways for low-carbon development in the country. 

In his statement, Buhari shared a few details from the plan and shared his confidence in Nigeria’s energy transition plan, which he said would put Nigeria on a path to prosperity.   

“The clean energy goals of the plan include modernizing the power sector with large-scale integration of renewable energy, enhancing energy efficiency and conservation; and is expected to generate 250 gigawatts of installed energy capacity with over 90% made up of renewables,” he said.

Buhari, whose administrative tenure comes to an end by May 2023, said the implementation of the energy transition plan will provide investment opportunities for Nigeria, especially in the area of natural gas for industrialization and power supply. 

In his speech, he made reference to the possibilities that solar energy, e-mobility, and hydrogen production could give Nigeria, going forward. 

He commended Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi for his tireless efforts in the preparations for the COP27 and assured him of the support of the Nigerian Government.

Delta 2023: Niger Delta APC Youth Group Hails Emergence Of Osanebi

Ahead of 2023 governorship election in Delta State, a Niger Delta All Progressives Congress, APC, youth group, Niger Delta APC, Youth Vanguard, ND-APC YV has hailed emergence of Rt Hon Friday Osanebi as running mate to Senator Ovie Omo-Agege.

Reacting to the decision of the Delta State APC chapter's on Osanebi to be the running mate to Senator Omo-Agege, the National Coordinator, ND-APC YV, in a statement signed by its President/National Coordinator, Gen Fiawei Pathfinder, noted that the duo are men of integrity with impeachable track record of good governance that will change the narrative come 2023.

Commended the process of Osanebi emerged as running mate, the group noted that Rt Hon Osanebi is a young man of integrity with unblemished track record.

Also, the grassroots-based organisation added that it has thrown its weight behind the Omo-Agege/Osanebi governorship ticket as it unanimously endorsed the deputy governorship candidate slot of the former Deputy Speaker of Delta State House of Assembly.

‘‘Rt Hon Osanebi is a young man of integrity with unblemished track record, A onetime pioneer President of Ndokwa Youth Council who worked hard to bring community development with employment opportunities to the youths of Ndokwa Nation by engaging most of the multinational oil companies in the Ndokwa domain such as Agip, Saipem, Sterling Global Oil Company and others by ensuring that all MoU's agreements towards community development was adequately approved. 

‘‘He is a young man that is well accepted by all various youth groups, women the elderly and the traditional rulers in the entire Delta North Senatorial District. He is a round peg in round hole and has all it takes to be a competent deputy governor based on his antecedents as a lawmaker a well-established Business entrepreneur, a loyal the party stakeholder and a dedicated family man. His unparalleled effective representation of his constituency while he was Deputy Speaker of Delta State House of Assembly is unquestionable’’

However, the group called on the neglected oil producing communities in the riverine to take their destiny in their hands to elect the candidates of the APC to rescue them from the shackles of bad administration.

Bayelsa State Government Mulls Stoppage Of Unfriendly Burial Practices Against Women

Bayelsa State government has said it would work towards ending unfriendly traditional and customary practices that inhibit the burial of married females in some communities in the state.

Governor Douye Diri gave the hint on Tuesday during a condolence visit to the Yenagoa residence of his Technical Adviser on Ijaw National Affairs, Chief Douyi Douglas-Naingba, who lost his wife.

The Bayelsa governor said his administration would consider legislation to end practices that forbid women from being buried in some communities. 

He expressed concern over the practice, saying it was unfair to the female gender. 

A statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Daniel Alabrah, quoted the governor as assuring that his administration will work with the state House of Assembly to provide a legal framework to end discriminatory practices against women. 

As part of efforts to tackle the issue in the short term, Governor Diri directed the Commissioner for Lands and Housing and his Works and Infrastructure counterpart to laise with leaders of Amassoma community to get a suitable location for the construction of a cemetery.

He described as painful the death of a loved one, particularly a spouse, and prayed God to grant Chief Naingba and his family the fortitude to bear the loss. 

The state helmsman described the deceased as a very caring woman, who  left a worthy legacy, stressing that those who mourn should be consoled by her legacies. 

His words: "I know what it means to lose a loved one, especially a wife. Chief Naingba, let me on behalf of your government and the people of the state express my sincere condolences. 

“All of us, at any point in time, will answer the call of death. We accept that reality. We pray that the almighty God will grant you the fortitude to bear this loss.

"God made it so and we accept our fate. Whatever happens to one of us happens to all of us. We came today to encourage and to pray with you. But let the reality be on all of us that no matter who we are, we can die at any point in time. We are consoled that she has led a good life."

Responding, Chief Douyi Douglas-Naingba expressed gratitude to the governor for his show of love and friendship, stressing that his family was strengthened by the visit. 

He appealed to the governor to approve the construction of a cemetery in Amassoma Island to end the discriminatory tradition against female corpses in the community.