Demonstrators set Gabon parliament on fire: witnesses (Youtube-Clip)

Clashes as Gabon’s Bongo narrowly wins re-election (Youtube-Clip)

Zimbabwe Shutdown on Wed 31 Aug | Pastor Evan Mawarire (Youtube-Clip)

#AmharaProtests – ENDF continues Martial Law with added force of 25,000 to silence the Province!

“I have given order [for the army] to take action on protestors with no sympathy” Ethiopian Prime Minister Hailemariam Desalegne

Today’s report from Amhara is not good as the Ethiopian National Defence Force is continuing to take heavy artillery to the Province. As the picture is evidence of. In Bahir Dar the people have burned down 9 Flower Farms, several shops and even factories in the city.

“I know you will continue working to make our shared vision of a peaceful & prosperous #Ethiopia become reality.” (U.S. Embassy in Addis, 31.08.2016).

As the pictures show, there aren’t much peace of mind in sight for the men and woman who get to meet the Agazi squad from the ENDF. There cannot be peace when the heavy artillery and soldiers are arriving to settle the score with the demonstrators.

The Army are acting with violence and killings in Gondar. It is hard to know the numbers and intelligence is scarce as the Internet blockade is still evident in the Amhara State. This is a government sending their specialized weapons against their own citizens who peacefully protest, not criminals or terrorist. This proves to what extent the Ethiopian Authorities does with their citizens.

“TPLF has ordered deployment of additional 25,000 regular army to Amahara region. It is also sending Tigray region special police force dressed in federal police. Wrong move. It might thing it can use overwhelming force to shut down the protest. But its risking further fracturing the army.Also Amhara farmers are armed and they be forced to abandon the current peaceful protest and confront the regime in armed rebellion” (Jawar Mohammed, 31.08.2016).

The effect in Addis Ababa is that the flower prices has sky-rocketed due to scarcity after the violence in Amhara.

“ESAT Radio: 254 fully armed soldiers defected and joined the peasant forces in Armacheho, Gondar” (ESAT Radio, 31.08.2016).

There is reports of four people have been gunned down in Debareq town, where several also been injured. Also protesters in the town burned the house of the mayor down.

Also that certain level of protester has done what they can to phone-lines to be able to call and tell what is happening in the Amhara state.

“Uprisings defense when it is a matter of patience and control obligation , but for 30 million people, has confirmed the fact that the deadly assault on the whole Africa has the capacity of various international organizations” – Dr. Debretsion Gebre Michael.

Reports from the OmoroProtest:

“#OromoProtests BREAKING: armed conflict between Karayu Oromo and Agazi soldiers at Xuxi village in Fantale District, East Shewa. Four Agazi’s and three pastoralists have been killed” (SiiTube, 31.08.2016).

What reported about yesterday:

“Deadly protests have however continued on Tuesday in Gondar and Gojam where seven protesters – three in Adet and four in Simada – were shot and killed by TPLF forces. Three people were also killed in Merawi. In Bahir Dar, angry protesters went to the Sebatamit prison and freed 700 prisoners who were detained in the recent protests. Several people were injured in the shoot out to free the prisoners, according to hospital sources. Gun fire could be heard on Tuesday in the city of Bahir Dar which saw deadly protests on Monday as four people were killed and protesters attacked businesses belonging to the regime. In Amba Giorgis, regime forces attacked residents who on Monday targeted businesses and set on fire houses belonging regime officials. Tensions remained high in Finote Selam that has seen deadly protests in recent days. Offices and businesses remained closed on Tuesday in Finote Selam” (SiiTube, 31.08.2016).

This is what I collected today. The Army and Government continues to silence and oppress the Amhara people as they goes all-in the capital city of Banhir Dar City. While the protestors are retaliating with burning businesses that even has hit the flower market of Addis Ababa. Still, the killings and violence from the government continues… the silence from the world and the little sad reports prove the fate of a people who deserve a government who takes care of them; not a government who comes with heavy artillery and tanks to silence the citizens of Amhara State. Peace.

Press Statement: Philip Kinisu resigns as Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission chairman (31.08.2016)

Sudan: UN Rights Experts condemn Charges of Death Penalty Crimes for Human Rights Activists

A group of United Nations human rights experts today called on the Sudanese authorities to drop charges carrying the death sentence brought against six people linked to a prominent Khartoum-based organisation, Training and Human Development (TRACKS).

GENEVA, Switzerland, August 31, 2016 -A group of United Nations human rights experts today called on the Sudanese authorities to drop charges carrying the death sentence brought against six people linked to a prominent Khartoum-based organisation, Training and Human Development (TRACKS).
The six*, who were detained some three months ago but are yet to face trial, have been charged with criminal conspiracy, undermining the constitutional system, waging war against the State, espionage, and terrorism by the Sudanese State Security Prosecution Office. All these charges carry the death penalty.

“The death penalty is an extreme form of punishment. lf used at all, it should only be imposed after a fair trial that respects the most stringent due process guarantees as stipulated in international human rights law,” said UN Special Rapporteur on extrajudicial, summary or arbitrary executions Agnes Callamard. “I am seriously concerned that any trial of these six people would not uphold such principles.”

The six individuals have faced constant targeting by agents from the National Intelligence and Security Service (NISS) over the past two years. Their offices have been raided twice, and their documents, equipment and passports confiscated. In addition, they say they have been summoned, detained and tortured several times at the NISS office, where they were questioned about the organisation’s activities.

“The charges brought against them appear to be directly linked to their work in the defence of human rights, while exercising their rights to freedom of expression and freedom of association,” said the UN Special Rapporteur on the rights to freedom of peaceful assembly and of association, Maina Kiai.

“Sudan ratified the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, a binding instrument, which enshrines the rights to freedom of expression and freedom of association and this sentence is likely to have a chilling effect among activists and human rights defenders in Sudan,” he added.

The human rights experts have already jointly raised their concern to the Sudanese authorities about the ongoing harassment of TRACKS members and, more broadly, about the increasing targeting and prosecution of human rights defenders, including women human rights defenders, in Sudan for undertaking their peaceful and legitimate human rights activities.

“This action is part of an increasing trend to threaten, harass, or intimidate key members of Sudanese civil society, and to curb freedoms of expression and association, which are guaranteed in the Bill of Rights of the Interim National Constitution of the Sudan,” said Aristide Nononsi, the Independent Expert on the situation of human rights in the Sudan, who visited the country in April 2016. Mr Nononsi had already expressed concern about this case to the relevant Sudanese authorities. ”Human rights defenders play an important role in the country, and there is an urgent need for the Government of the Sudan to allow them to carry out their activities in an open, safe and secure environment,” he stressed.

*The six facing charges are Mr. Khalafalla Mukhtar, Director of TRACKS; Ms. Arwa Elrabie, Mr. Midhat Hamadan, and Mr. Alhassan Kheiri, TRACKS’ employees; and Mr. Mustafa Adam and Ms. Raye Imany Leyla who are affiliated to the organisation.

The experts’ appeal to the Sudanese Government has been endorsed by the Special Rapporteur on freedom of opinion and expression, Mr. David Kaye, and the Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights defenders, Mr. Michel Forst.

Beni : le Chef de la MONUSCO Maman Sambo Sidikou estime qu’il faut une stratégie différente contre les massacres (30.08.2016)

Beni – 30 août 2016 : « Il est évident que pour la MONUSCO, les discours et la compassion ne suffisent plus ! Il faut travailler avec le gouvernement et de façon très rapprochée. Il est évident qu’il faut travailler avec les FARDC de façon très rapprochée et arrêter une stratégie différente.» a déclaré le Représentant spécial du Secrétaire général de l’ONU en RDC (SRSG), Maman Sambo Sidikou, lundi 29 août 2016 à Rwangoma, localité située à 4 km du centre-ville de Beni.

«Parce que nous comptons les morts, les uns après les autres et ça ne peut plus continuer », a expliqué le chef de le MONUSCO.

C’est à Rwangoma que le 13 août dernier, une cinquantaine de personnes ont été massacrées par des présumés ADF.

M. Sidikou, accompagnait le nonce apostolique, Luis Mariano Montemayor, dans sa visite pastorale au Diocèse de Butembo-Beni. Le nonce apostolique a d’ailleurs présidé une célébration en la mémoire des disparus, avant d’insister sur la protection des civils, priorité majeure du mandat de la MONUSCO.

Le mardi 30 août 2016, trois temps forts ont rythmé la fin de la visite du SRSGG à Beni : une rencontre avec les leaders religieux – imams, pasteurs, protestants -, une autre avec la société civile ainsi qu’une conférence de presse.

Pour l’essentiel, ces échanges ont permis de comprendre que la gestion d’un tel dossier nécessite l’implication et la collaboration de tous les acteurs qui, par leurs propositions, leurs idées, peuvent contribuer à la résolution d’une telle crise.

Le chef de la MONUSCO a encore une fois insisté sur le fait que le remède à cette crise n’est pas seulement militaire, que seule une approche multidimensionnelle peut apporter une réponse à cette problématique et qu’il y a lieu de revoir la stratégie actuelle.

C’est dans cette optique que M. Sidikou a annoncé que, très prochainement, en compagnie d’autorités politico-militaires congolaises, il se rendra à nouveau à Beni.

Alain Coulibaly

Readout of the Secretary-General’s phone calls with H.E. Mr. Ali Bongo Ondimba, President of the Gabonese Republic and Mr. Jean Ping, presidential candidate of the Démocratie nouvelle party (30.08.2016)

He called on President Bongo Ondimba and Mr. Ping to impress upon their supporters the need to show restraint while waiting for the announcement of the provisional results scheduled for 30 August 2016.

NEW YORK, United States of America, August 30, 2016 – The Secretary-General spoke on 30 August by phone to H.E. Mr. Ali Bongo Ondimba, President of the Gabonese Republic and Mr. Jean Ping, presidential candidate of the Démocratie nouvelle party. He commended the peaceful holding of the presidential election on 27 August 2016. He welcomed the high voters’ turnout as well as the presence of a large number of national and international observers.

The Secretary-General expressed concern about the issuance of premature declarations on the outcome of the election ahead of the official announcement of the results.

He called on President Bongo Ondimba and Mr. Ping to impress upon their supporters the need to show restraint while waiting for the announcement of the provisional results scheduled for 30 August 2016.

The Secretary-General encouraged President Bongo Ondimba and Mr. Ping to address any dispute that may arise after the announcement of the results through the existing legal means, following a transparent and democratic process.

The Secretary-General reiterated the availability of his Special Representative for Central Africa, Mr. Abdoulaye Bathily, to assist in defusing tensions.

#AmharaProtests: The Agazi Force and Martial Law in the Province!

On Ethiopian TV and on a Press Conference today the Prime Minister of Ethiopia His Exellency Hailemariam Desalegne said that the Military could take any action against the protestors of Amahara region. This here is not great news as the oppressive behaviour is continuing. The Ethiopian People’s Revolutionary Democratic Front (EPRDF) and the Ethiopia National Defence Force (ENDF) are attacking their own public. It’s scary to know how far the EPRDF are using military to silence their citizens.

As this been told there been reports of total shutdown of Internet in the Northern Regions of Ethiopia. Also, there been reports of military intervention with tanks and equipment to silence the demonstrations. So the Demonstrations in Gondar has been planned to shut down, apparently.

“Amhara regional gov spokesman said the military is underway,  which he describe “to control and take any measure in the region.” (EHRP, 2016).

“Even the little report that is, that Prison of Andasa near Bandahir have the prisoners broken out. “The Gebeya (market) area shut down.” High tensions. Agazi forces on the streets” (Habesha, 2016).

“According to sources in Addis Abeba and Amhara Regional cities, and Addis Abeba based Sheger Radio, thousands of heavily armed members of the Ethiopian National Defense Forces (ENDF) along with the special squad of Agazi Force, have been deployed to the Gojjam and Gonder provinces of the Amhara regional state” (Link: http://debirhan.com/?p=10342, 2016)

In Amahara region the Military have set off the Martial Law. Stopping all people from moving and selling; no social networks, internet, markets and the Ethiopian National Defence Force (ENDF) is heavy deployed in the area.

In Bandahir where the forces we’re taking control over the town the tortured people who demonstrated and also killings from the military. But no numbers confirmed.

Second Report from Bandahir: 

“The regional government said yesterday it has invited the military to restore order. But, in Bahirdar city, it appears only federal police and regional forces are actively involved. The regional government disclosed today that it has arrested “key instigators of violence and vandalism”. Since several arrests and subsequent releases took place in the past weeks without much announcements, it seems the statement refers to either mass arrest or high profile arrests” (Daniel Berhane, 30.08.2016). 

Reports of full hospital at Bahir Dar Fekege Hiwot Hospital; the hospital is full of injured people after the army entered the town.

In Gojam and Gondar the Phone Service is shut off from the authorities. So the intelligence from the area is near to extinct. So if the Martial Law is in effect in the scores of the Bandahir.

This is just pieces of the puzzle, not the real picture as the government does what they can to silence their report of their behaviour. As the allies of the Government doesn’t want the world to condemn them. The UN Envoy or Special Representative Michael Keating had consultation meeting with the Minister Taye Atske-Selassie on the violence of Somalia. But the man from the United Nations didn’t care for thinking about the oppressed people in Amhara. So the United Nation takes a blind eye to Ethiopian issues as long as their army fights the Al-Shabab, because the citizens of Amhara aren’t that important. Is that what the citizens of the world should take from this and their actions?

The worrying effect is that the PM can go off on TV at a Press Conference and later the pictures of military artillery and tanks going on the roads towards the Amhara Region. With the reports of civilian casualties! This should be sanctioned and the Ethiopian Government shouldn’t be walked away from even as the United Nation, United States and other allies need their forces as peacekeepers, because their funding of this government are oppressing and killing their own. That they do because they don’t want to be silenced anymore. They does so in peace, but brutally get shut-down by army and their tanks. Peace.   

Western Sahara: Letter to MINURSO from the Frente Polisario (28.08.2016)