Zimbabwe: Secrecy and doubt around the Bond Notes as Barclays Bank in are separating currencies in their branches, as there are lacking trust in the currency!

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We should worry when details and documents proving that Barclays Branches are having forms that are made for both Bond Notes/Coins Deposit. The Barclays are issuing the numbers of the bank and the address of the bank. The other issue is that the Bond Notes are accounted on the value of coins deposit or another currency. Not the value itself on the Bond Notes. The Bond Notes are valued together with another currency, if it is South African Rand and United States of Dollar.

The Worry with seeing the form that Barclays Limited Zimbabwe has created this form where they are valuing the Bond Notes and also separating it. This is happening as the Republic already is lacking enough of the Bond Notes. Some are even questioning if this is the first start of a parallel economy and so you know what that means: “Parallel economy, based on the black money or unaccounted money” (Your Article Library).

So the values might be turned or changed as transactions have become more costly in Zimbabwe as well:

The value of transactions processed on Zimbabwe’s National Payment System (NPS) increased from $1,2 billion to $1,5 billion as the volume of transactions went up by 13 percent in the week the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe (RBZ) introduced bond notes, a report by the central bank has shown” (…) “The RBZ has said it will release a total of $75 million worth of bond notes by the end of this year.” (Zimbabwe Mail, 2016).

With the cash-shortage and the promised delivery together with the volume of transactions in Zimbabwe proves the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe wasn’t ready, neither we’re the Hon. Patrick Chinamasa has to keep up his promises and deliver a grand policy to revitalize the economy.

The RBZ has increased the rate of printing with the latest batch of notes worth $7million being delivered at Harare International Airport in the last few days a Ukranean Jet. But the development will worsen the plight of safari operators who have already experienced a 25 % slump in business this year” (ZimEye, 2016).

Since the Tourist doesn’t trust the currency, neither does the locals as the government and finance ministry are keeping the secrecy around the production and cost of the currency doesn’t add to the faith in the Zimbabwean Bond Notes, as the draconian state tries to silence the #NoBondNotes and #Tajamuka are getting real. The batches worth $7million of Bond Notes haven’t done what they we’re supposed to do, as they cannot even create trust between the citizens and the financial institution.

The Comment from the Independent are clear on the Bond Notes: “Government domestic debt — which stood at US$3,7 billion as at October 2016 — is clearly unsustainable. In a normal economy, Treasury Bills (TBs) are a useful short-term instrument for raising funds via open market operations. But in Zimbabwe’s case, TBs have not been deployed prudently. In fact, TBs are a ticking time bomb. Long before bond notes spooked the market, the authorities were churning out TBs which, to all intents and purposes, were effectively a local currency by another name” (The Zimbabwe Independent Editor, 2016).

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So when the Government has this massive debt and delivers a little bunch of currency that isn’t trusted because of secrecy, the reality is also that the Zanu-PF haven’t really tried to be honest about their approach on the Bond Notes. They seem like a giant loan from the Afreximbank who borrow the funds so the Finance Minister Chinamasa could afford to chip the monies on the public. So the public and citizens are in the paying for the added debt for a currency, which isn’t valued by anybody. Even the banks operating in Zimbabwe is making ready for a parallel economy with the Bond Notes. As we can question as the Barclays of Zimbabwe has separated the foreign currency and the new note.

In July 2016 the Afreximbank:

“The RBZ has said the bond notes, which will trade a ratio of 1:1 with the greenback, are backed by a $200million Afreximbank bond facility, from which they derive their name” (New Ziana, 2016).

So now the first batch was $7million worth out of the proposed $200million loans used to put the Bond Notes to the citizens of Zimbabwe, which I have proposed from the get-go is added in the debt into the hands of the citizens as they get indebted with the notes and also with the surging government spending.

There aren’t clear indications that the bond notes will add anything positives, as even the banks are now showing resistance and proving their little faith in the currency. Not only the citizens, but also tourists, visitors of Zimbabwe don’t even trust it.

Like this example:

“The informal traders lament that they are slowly losing faith in the new currency as it has been posing a myriad challenges towards their business, which is solely hinged on imported wares” (…) “The flea market traders import various wares from neighbouring Mozambique, mostly second hand clothes and shoes” (…) “Murayirwa further added that it becomes a challenge since the Mozambican Bureau de Change only cross rates US$ against Meticals” (…) “This is an unnecessary headache. Bond notes are going to kill our business. This business is supporting close to 1,000 breadwinners. Most of the people here were formerly employed by the major industries that closed and they had no choice but to come here to support their families. Yes we understand that government is trying to solve cash challenges in the country, but they are doing so at the expense of thousands of other families whose businesses are in jeopardy now,” said Murayirwa” (Nehenda Radio, 2016)

The Zimbabwean citizens struggle with paying and exchanging monies to importing things to sell at the markets, as proven with this example. The small-scale entrepreneurs who are important at markets to sell needed products at a decent price; they cannot do so if their currency isn’t valued. Therefore the trust of the Bond Notes is lower than when they we’re introduced.

The reasons are the secrecy and the uncertainty of the effects on the market as it was unleashed to the people. Still close to a month after the release there isn’t any proof of any good coming out of the currency, other than surely some unknown Zanu-PF cronies earning fortunes on it! Peace.

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Reference:

Nehenda Radio  – ‘Traders decry loss of business because of bond notes’ (15.12.2016) link: http://nehandaradio.com/2016/12/15/traders-decry-loss-business-bond-notes/#sthash.cEnubUzE.dpuf

New Ziana – ‘Afreximbank to state position on bond notes’ (01.07.2016) link: http://www.herald.co.zw/afreximbank-to-state-position-on-bond-notes/

Your Article Library – ‘What is the Meaning of the Parallel Economy?’ link: http://www.yourarticlelibrary.com/economics/what-is-the-meaning-of-the-parallel-economy/2720/

The Zimbabwe Independent Editor – ‘Govt’s budget a non-starter’ (16.12.2016) link: https://www.theindependent.co.zw/2016/12/16/govts-budget-non-starter/

ZimEye – ‘Secret Bond Note Printing Accelerates’ (16.12.2016) link: https://www.zimeye.net/secret-bond-note-printing-accelerates/

Zimbabwe Mail – ‘Value of financial transactions up 23pct following bond notes injection’ (15.12.2016) link: http://thezimbabwemail.com/banking-finance-34021-value-of-financial-transactions-up-23pct-following-bond-notes-injection.html

Tanga Odoi reveals NRM has no funds to pay staff salaries (Youtube-Clip)

“The NRM electoral commission chairman Dr Tanga Odoi has revealed that he and his staff have not received their salaries for the past six months. Odoi told journalists at the commission’s headquarters in Kampala, that he has written to the party chairman President Museveni expressing his grievances. Odoi had called a press conference to announce the NRM electoral commission road map to the Local Council 1 primaries in the villages that do not have flag bears ahead of the national local council elections” (NTV Uganda, 2016)

Buganda Magistrate Court issues Warrent of Arrest on WizKid (16.12.2016)

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EU Statement on the situation in Kasese District (16.12.2016)

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SPLM/SPLA(IO) on Arrest of Commander Dr. Riek Machar (15.12.2016)

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Uganda: Legal Red Note on Wizkid after failed concert in Kampala (16.12.2016)

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Censure et violences contre les journalistes : JED et RSF redoutent une sombre fin de mandat pour le Président Kabila (16.12.2016)

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Journaliste en danger (JED) et Reporters sans frontières (RSF) sont très préoccupées par l’offensive des autorités contre la libre circulation de l’information, à l’approche de la fin du mandat du Président Joseph Kabila, le 19 décembre 2016. Les deux organisations appellent les autorités congolaises à permettre aux médias de fonctionner librement et en toute sécurité.

A l’approche de la fin officielle du mandat du Président Joseph Kabila, le 19 décembre 2016, RSF et JED s’inquiètent des mesures de censure qui frappent les médias, et plus largement, l’accès à l’information des citoyens congolais. Suspension prévue et assumée d’internet, interdictions des émissions politiques au Kasaï Oriental, irruption de la police dans des locaux des médias, brouillage continu des antennes de RFI à Kinshasa… Les exactions des autorités nationales et locales contre la presse sont nombreuses.

Le 14 décembre, les compagnies de télécommunications ont reçu une lettre de l’Autorité de Régulation des Postes et des Télécommunications (ARPTC) – sous autorité de la présidence de la République -, leur intimant de bloquer l’accès aux réseaux sociaux à partir du 18 décembre à minuit, et de suspendre l’accès à Internet si le blocage ciblé n’était pas possible. Selon Jeune Afrique, les opérateurs ont été menacés de se voir retirer leur agrément s’ils n’obtempéraient pas.

Au Kasaï Oriental, le Gouverneur de province, en plus de renforcer le couvre-feu, a tout simplement interdit la diffusion de toute émission ou débat traitant de politique au prétexte de “prévenir des messages et les informations d’incitations à la haine, aux troubles à l’ordre public et aux violences”. Pour rappel, un journaliste de la RTNC, Marcel Lubala a été assassiné dans la province du Kasaï Oriental dans la nuit du 14 au 15 novembre 2016. Plusieurs sources faisaient état de l’implication de la police dans ce crime.

Pour JED, “les journalistes n’ont pas à obéir à ces mesures, car il est de leur devoir, au nom de la liberté d’information et d’expression, d’avoir un esprit critique, de s’intéresser et de questionner les choix et pratiques du gouvernement et des acteurs politiques afin d’engager avec responsabilité un débat public sur des questions qui concernent toute la population.”

Le 6 décembre 2016, à Matadi au Kongo Central, des individus en tenue de policiers ont fait irruption dans les locaux de Canal Congo Télévision (CCTV) puis Horeb Télévision (HTV), alors que les deux chaînes diffusaient des émissions de débats portant sur un projet de motion de défiance contre le Gouverneur de la province Jacques Mbadu. Ils ont interrompu la diffusion, malmené les journalistes et saccagé le matériel de la radio.

“En continuant de prendre des mesures liberticides contre les médias, ou de laisser impunies les agressions contre les journalistes, le président Kabila dévoile ses dispositions anti-démocratiques, ce qui laisse présager du pire pour le 19 décembre et les jours qui suivront, déclare Reporters sans frontières. L’ensemble des mesures récentes de censure et les attaques non sanctionnées contre les médias sont autant de messages envoyés sur le fait qu’aucune dissidence ou contestation ne sera tolérée.”

Le Commissaire de police de Kinshasa, Célestin Kanyama, récemment visé par des sanctions européennes, réclamées notamment par RSF, a menacé toute personne qui descendrait dans la rue à partir du 19 décembre, de violentes représailles, interdisant par là même toute couverture journalistique. Il a invité les parents à ne pas laisser sortir leurs enfants, ou sinon “ à bien regarder la photo de leurs enfants car ce serait la dernière fois qu’il les verrait”.

En septembre 2016, RSF et JED avaient demandé au vice-Premier ministre et ministre de l’Intérieur, Evariste Boshab (également sous le coup de sanctions américaines), l’ouverture d’une enquête après les exactions recensées contre au moins huit journalistes lors de la répression des manifestations des 19 et 20 septembre 2016.

Depuis novembre, les médias étrangers font l’objet de mesures visant à les réduire au silence. Le signal de RFI à Kinshasa continu d’être brouillé depuis le 4 novembre 2016.

La République démocratique du Congo occupe la 152è place sur 180 pays dans l’édition 2016 du Classement de la liberté de la presse établi par RSF.

Pour tout contact
Journaliste en Danger
21, av. Nyembo. Quartier Socimat.
Référence : Haute Cour Militaire
Kinshasa/Gombe. B.P. 633 Kinshasa 1
Téléphone: +243 81 99 96 353 ou +243 99 99 96 353
E-mail : jedkin@jed-afrique.org, jedkinshasa@gmail.com
Internet : www.jed-afrique.org

UNSOM SG Michael Keating on the Somalia Election (16.12.2016)

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Number of children recruited into South Sudanese conflict passes 17,000 – UNICEF (16.12.2016)

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So far, 1,932 children have been released by armed forces: 1,755 in 2015 and 177 this year.

JUBA, South Sudan, December 16, 2016 – According to new figures released by the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), some 1,300 children were recruited by armed forces and armed groups in 2016, bringing the total number of children used in conflict since 2013 to more than 17,000.

“Since the first day of this conflict, children have been the ones most devastatingly affected by the violations,” said Leila Gharagozloo-Pakkala, UNICEF’s Regional Director for Eastern and Southern Africa.

“Now, as the fighting intensifies – and despite repeated pledges by all to end child recruitment – children are once again being targeted,” she added.

The Sudan People’s Liberation Army (SPLA) and SPLA in Opposition have both signed agreements with the UN in order to end and prevent the recruitment and use of children in the conflict.

So far, 1,932 children have been released by armed forces: 1,755 in 2015 and 177 this year.

Nonetheless, UNICEF reports that violations against children have continued to occur since 2013, including 2,342 who have been killed or maimed, 3,090 who have been abducted, and 1,130 sexually assaulted. There have also been 303 attacks or military use of schools and hospitals.

Since November, the UN has documented at least 50 children who have been abducted and recruited in the Greater Upper Nile region. Additional reports indicate that another 50 have been recruited in the Greater Bahr el Ghazal region and that violations against children have occurred in the Greater Equatorias area, but due to the high level of insecurity and restricted access, the UN has been unable to verify such claims.

In addition to the ongoing armed conflict, South Sudan is suffering an economic crisis that has brought inflation to more than 800 per cent, leading to widespread food insecurity and childhood malnutrition at emergency levels throughout most of the country.

UNICEF and its partners have treated 184,000 children with severe cases of malnutrition this year – an increase of 50 per cent from last year and more than 135 per cent higher from 2014.

“UNICEF’s concern is that with the prospect of increased hostilities and atrocities, the suffering that children have endured will have no end,” said Ms. Gharagozloo-Pakkala. “The children of South Sudan must no longer live under constant fear of hunger or conflict. They need sustained peace, care and support.”

South Sudan has faced ongoing challenges since a political face-off between President Salva Kiir and his Vice-President Riek Machar erupted into full blown conflict in December 2013. The crisis has produced one of the world’s worst displacement situations with immense suffering for civilians.

Despite the August 2015 peace agreement that formally ended the war, conflict and instability have also spread to previously unaffected areas in the Greater Equatoria and Greater Bahr-El-Ghazal regions of South Sudan.

The UN Mission in South Sudan, known as UNMISS, has been operating in the country since 2011. Just hours before it was set to expire, the Security Council this evening voted unanimously to extend the Mission’s mandate for one day and is expected to come back to the matter tomorrow afternoon.

Press Release on the Human Rights Situation in the Republic of The Sudan (15.12.2016)

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The African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights (the Commission) continues to follow closely the deteriorating human rights situation in the Republic of The Sudan, State Party to the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights (the African Charter).

The Commission’s Special Rapporteur on Human Rights Defenders in Africa, Hon. Commissioner Reine Alapini-Gansou, is deeply concerned by the deteriorating human rights situation in the Republic of The Sudan, in particular: the constant harassment of human right defenders by the Sudanese National Intelligence and Security services (NISS); the arbitrary arrest and detention in secret places by the NISS; and the inhumane treatment meted on human right defenders when arrested and detained.

The Special Rapporteur has received reports of the alleged arbitrary arrest and detention in an unknown location of Dr Wudawi Ibrahim Adam and his driver Mr Adam El-Sheikh by the NISS, and of Mr Akram Ahmed who has been repeated summoned and held by the NISS.

The Special Rapporteur notes that the constant arrests and detention of human rights defenders by security forces of the Republic of The Sudan is a tactic used by the Sudanese authorities to obstruct the work of human right defenders and activist, in their promotion and protection of human rights.

The Special Rapporteur recalls particularly the cases of Dr Wudawi Ibrahim Adam and Mr. Akram Ahmed who have severally suffered numerous arrests and detentions and have been subjected to inhumane treatments while in detention.

The Special Rapporteur condemns the suppression of the rights of human rights defenders and the reprisals meted upon human rights defenders and activist in the Republic of The Sudan, and calls on the Government of the Republic of The Sudan to:

  1. Provide clarification to the African Commission regarding the above-stated allegations of the arbitrary arrest of Dr Wudawi and his driver, the illegal search conducted on his property and their detention in an undisclosed location, and the repeated summoning and detention of Mr Akram Ahmed;
  2. Immediately release all human rights defenders arbitrarily arrested and to refrain from repeatedly summoning, questioning and detaining human rights defenders; including Dr Wudawi Ibrahim Adam and Mr. Akram Ahmed
  3. Take all necessary measures to guarantee the physical and psychological integrity and security of all human rights defenders in the Republic of The Sudan;
  4. Guarantee in all circumstances that all human rights defenders in the Republic of The Sudan are able to carry out their legitimate human rights activities without fear of reprisals and free of all restrictions;
  5. Uphold its obligations under regional and international human rights law, including by refraining from undue interference and suppression of the rights of human rights defenders.

The Special Rapporteur would like to remind the Sudanese authorities of their obligations to guarantee fundamental rights, including: the right on equality before the law and equal protection of the law; the right to dignity and integrity of the person; the right to be free from all form of inhumane and degrading treatment/punishment; the right to liberty and security of the person and to be protected from arbitrary arrests and detention; the rights to freedom of association, assembly and expression; as enshrined in Articles 3, 4, 5, 6, 9, 10 and 11 of the African Charter.

The Special Rapporteur continues to monitor developments on the situation of human rights defenders in the Republic of The Sudan and calls on the African Union and the international community to contribute towards the effective realization of human and peoples’ rights in the Republic of The Sudan as a whole.

Done in Banjul-The Gambia, 13 December 2016

Honourable Commissioner Reine Alapini-Gansou

Special Rapporteur on Human Rights Defenders in Africa