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{
    "id": 198952,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/198952/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 95,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Capt. Nakitare",
    "speaker_title": "",
    "speaker": {
        "id": 348,
        "legal_name": "Davis Wafula Nakitare",
        "slug": "davis-nakitare"
    },
    "content": "Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, I support this Motion which was moved by Ms. Ndung'u. I also appreciate the contributions, particularly from Maj-Gen. Nkaisserry, who is a member of the Departmental Committee on Defence and Foreign Relations. I would like to highlight a few things that are a stumbling block based on the non-ratification of these protocols. Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, through the Departmental Committee on Defence and Foreign Relations, I have been an eye witness in Mogadishu, Somalia, Sudan and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). If we take into account the provisions of Article 17 of this Pact, which talks about stability within the region, it is deplorable when we talk about peace and security in this region. Kenya is chairing a committee on the Great Lakes Region and Horn of Africa in terms of defence and internal security. The biggest headache that we have here is that, when the protocols are signed by Heads of States, it is just a public relations exercise. When we, legislators, particularly from Committees of Parliaments, discuss the same issues, we are hampered. The treaties which have been signed and not implemented become a stumbling block. We have dealt in depth with the issue of Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA) in Southern Sudan and the Darfur Peace Agreement (DPA). Those are now becoming a national anthem in this country, the Horn of Africa and Africa as a whole. When we talk about sexual abuse and child abuse, we do not want to discuss that at a preliminary stage. It should be in depth. When you look at the displaced people under the war atmospheres--- Those are the refugees. Refugees in camps bear children who do not even belong to their country. They are in no man's land. They have no nationality and human respect. They lack the status of being human beings in the world. That is something that we have to address. Kenya should set the example. We are actually leading in Africa. When we look at ourselves, we have to be proud of this Government and the efforts it is making to ratify these treaties. Kenya is leading because other countries in Africa are looking at us as \"big brother\". We cannot underestimate that reputation. The efforts we have taken to bring peace in Sudan and Somalia are enormous. I was in Mogadishu with the Assistant Minister for Foreign Affairs. We went to witness the reconciliation documents about two months ago. The reputation we got in Somalia, although it is still under war is that, Kenya is a leading factor in Africa, when it comes to peace. The proliferation of arms is an economic activity that is benefiting the big countries. Small and big arms are supplied by countries which are interested in exploiting our natural resources. In 4534 PARLIAMENTARY DEBATES October 17, 2007 the case of DRC, for instance, there is a national grid where we could get hydro-electric power from River Congo. That river now offers transport to logged trees. Those trees are being exported along River Congo to Portugal. The natural resources of Africa are under threat. The disasters that we are talking about and the green house emissions are not because of pollution, but it is as a result of degradation of our natural resources in Africa. That is also undermining peace. It is a fact."
}