Footage: Evan Mawarire update from Courts earlier today (17.02.2017)

“Update from the courts earlier today. Matter has been postponed to March 16 because the state was not ready. Our resolve remains steady in uniting the citizens of Zimbabwe as we prepare for the coming season of change. #ThisFlag” (Evan Mawarire, 17.02.2017)

U.S. House Representatives wants to block the January Arms trade sold to the Kenyan Government!

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“The arms trade – an intricate web of networks between the formal and shadow worlds, between government, commerce and criminality – often makes us poorer, not richer, less not more safe, and governed not in our own interests but for the benefit of a small, self-serving elite, seemingly above the law, protected by the secrecy of national security and accountable to no one.”

Andrew Feinstein

As of today there two United States Representatives from the Republican Party Ted Budd of North Carolina and Duncan Duane Hunter from California that for their own reasons to stop sales of U.S. arms to Kenya, this they have forwarded a joint resolution. This was first from Ted Budd, but Duncan Hunter became his co-sponsor of the bill. Of today it has been transmitted to the Committee at the House Foreign Affairs that will work on it, before initial voting.

“That the issuance of a letter of offer with respect to any of the following proposed sales to the Government of Kenya (described in the certification Transmittal No. 16–79, sent to the Speaker of the House of Representatives and the chairman of the Committee on Foreign Relations of the Senate pursuant to section 36(b)(1) of the Arms Export Control Act (22 U.S.C. 2776(b)(1))) on January 19, 2017, is hereby prohibited:

(1) Twelve Air Tractor AT–802L.

(2) Two AT–504 trainer aircraft.

(3) Weapons package, technical support and program management” (Budd & Hunter, 2017).

It is not long ago since this was sanctioned to the Kenya Defense Force and their missions, as this was a supplement to the on-going missions that the Kenya contingent in Somalia and might even be used as blue-helmets inside South Sudan. Still, the U.S. Representatives think these will be misguided and not well used arms for their ally in East Africa. This is the double-standard and double moral from the U.S. counterparts that easily has dropped and sold this sort of weapons to others, but has to all of sudden sanction Kenya for buying the same thing.

Just take a look at the timing of the deal between the U.S. and Kenyan earlier in 2017:

“The US Defence Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) notified Congress of the possible sale on 19 January and disclosed the potential sale on 23 January” (…) “The DSCA said Kenya had requested the sale of up to twelve Air Tractor AT-802L and two AT-504 trainer aircraft, weapons, technical support and programme management worth $418 million” (…) “This proposed sale contributes to the foreign policy and national security of the United States by improving the security of a strong regional partner who is a regional security leader undertaking critical operations against al-Shabaab and troop contributor to the African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM),” the DSCA said” (…) “The proposed sale provides a needed capability in the ongoing efforts to counter al-Shabaab. The platform maximizes the Kenyan Defense Force’s Close Air Support (CAS) ability because it is a short-field aircraft capable of using precision munitions and cost effective logistics and maintenance.” (DefenceWeb, 2017).

So a purchase accepted in January is now in question in February, as the new Trump Administration will not care for the allies and friends as such before. The DSCA sanctioned the sale on the 23rd January 2017 and now on the 14th February 2017 the U.S. Representatives questions the sale. So the AMISOM mission and their allies who fights in it doesn’t matter as much, as that was the destination for the arms and technical weaponry in this transaction. That the sales of close worth over $400m that suddenly goes into the wind!

We will see if the Foreign Affairs Committee at the House of Representatives will work with this and see if this will go for voting in the House or Senate to sufficiently go forward with joint communique of Ted Budd and Duncan Hunter. That then will become legislation as the deal will not happen as the Committee will put forward a motion or legislation that the stops the arms agreement and trade between the DSCA and the Government of Kenya. Therefore the U.S. Arms trade to the Kenyan Defense Force.

This story is certainly not over. Peace.

Reference:

DefenceWeb – ‘US approves possible Air Tractor, weapons sale to Kenya’ (24.01.2017) link: http://www.defenceweb.co.za/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=46563:us-approves-possible-air-tractor-weapons-sale-to-kenya&catid=35:Aerospace&Itemid=107

Representative Ted Budd (R-North Carolina) & Representative Duncan Duane Hunter (R-California) – ‘H.J.Res. 72: Relating to the disapproval of the proposed foreign military sale to the Government of Kenya of Air Tractor aircraft with weapons, and related support’ (14.02.2017)

Uganda: Imposter King and Imposter Cabinet in Ankore (15.02.2017)

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Kenya: Hon CJ’S Remarks on Doctors Strike Case (16.02.2017)

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RDC: Declaration Politique du G7 (16.02.2017)

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Burundi: Communique de Presse concernant les operations de World Vision International/Burundi dans la province de Karusi (15.02.2017)

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South Sudan: “SPLM-IO forces pursued the aggression and overran Nyinakok of Jur River in Western Bahr el Ghazal State” (16.02.2017)

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Just as the world is looking for another political process to end the ongoing war in South Sudan, the brutal and ruthless Juba regime has once again intensified its atrocious, ferocious and egregious abuses against the people of South Sudan. The ongoing mass killings, rapes, destruction, arbitrary arrests and displacement of people in and around Kubi in Oponi County of Eastern Equatoria State (CES) and Unity State is a stark reminder and a clear indication to the people of South Sudan, the African Union (AU), United Nations (UN) and indeed the international community that the Jieng Council of Elders (JCE) as an executive arm of the Juba regime under Mr Salva Kiir Mayardit is more than ever committed to exterminating non-Dinka communities.

At the same time, the same brutal and ruthless Juba regime has now escalated its all-out and nationwide dry season offensive by burning down villages and attacking SPLA-IO positions and bases throughout South Sudan. In the afternoon of yesterday February 15, 2017, the Juba regime attacked the gallant SPLA-IO positions and bases in and around Jur River, Western Bahr el Ghazal State (WBS).

In response, the gallant SPLA-IO forces pursued the aggression and overran Nyinakok of Jur River in Western Bahr el Ghazal State (WBS). The fighting of yesterday Wednesday February 15, 2017 at 1:30PM left fifteen (15) soldiers, including three (3) officers, died. Following the intense fighting, the Luo young men and women that the Juba regime had apparently mobilised as vigilante groups and counterinsurgency units were eventually forced to join the gallant SPLA-IO forces in pursuit of the defeated and desperate Juba regime soldiers.

Indeed, Nyinakok and the entire Jur River are now under the full and complete control of the gallant SPLA-IO forces. In the same afternoon of yesterday Wednesday February 15, 2017, a squad of fifteen (15) Juba regime soldiers under the command of Capt. Simon Lam Yuol Joker and Sgt Gai Muot (MO) abandoned its Raja base and reported to the nearby SPLA-IO base in and around Raja, Western Bahr el Ghazal State (WBS). With them were two (2) PKM, one (1) RPG in addition to their individual AK47.

With the ongoing mass defection of Juba regime soldiers to the gallant SPLA-IO, the people of South Sudan have understood why South Sudan is not at all the property of the Jieng Council of Elders (JCE) and why the Juba regime must go now rather than later. Therefore the SPLA-IO would like to one more time remind the African Union (AU), the United Nations (UN) and indeed the international community that the Juba regime is the problem, a threat to peace and stability in the region and hence must be isolated for peace and stability to return in South Sudan.

By Col. William Gatjiath Deng
Spokesperson for SPLA-IO

UNMISS SRSG describes situation of displaced people in Upper Nile region as “real problem” (16.02.2017)

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GRECO kommer med kritikk av korrupsjonshåndtering i Stortinget!

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«Europarådets anti-korrupsjonsorgan GRECO har laget en ny rapport om korrupsjon i nasjonalforsamlinger, domstoler og påtalemyndighet i Norge» (Regjeringen.no, 2017).

Det er alvorlig når man kommer med råd og formulerte initiativ at det rådgivende organ og representanter for befolkningen ikke tar å følger dette opp. Det er dette som skjedd etter som Europarådets Anti-Korrupsjonsorgan GRECO gav råd til Stortinget om oppfølging og legge til verks systemer som viste mulige konflikter og andre mulige hendelser som kan skape grobunn for korrupte statsmenn. Derfor burde Stortinget og deres representanter tatt nødvendige grep og tak for å rette dette opp. Dette handler om etiske og fundamentale retningslinjer som enhver representant burde stå til rette for. At en ikke er kjøpt og betalt av tredjepart eller har forbindelser som gjør seg knyttet til saker og revidering av lovverk. Derfor er kritikken av manglende eller ufullstendig utbedring av dette kritikk-verdig av den Norske stat og Stortinget som helhet.

«De fire anbefalingene som ble gitt til Stortinget kan kort oppsummeres slik:

1.Videreutvikle Stortingets etiske retningslinjer slik at de bl.a. bedre bidrar til å hindre interessekonflikter, klargjøre reglene mht. gaver og kontakter med tredjeparter.

2.Innføre et system for varsling/avklaring av mulige interessekonflikter.

3.Videreutvikle Stortingets register for representantenes verv og økonomiske interesser.

4.Iverksette tiltak for å sikre tilsyn og gjennomføring av plikten til å varsle Stortingets interesseregister og oppfølging av de etiske retningslinjene.

Anbefaling nr. 4 ble ansett som gjennomført, og anbefaling 1 og 3 ble ansett delvis gjennomført. Anbefaling 2 ble ikke ansett gjennomført. For ytterligere opplysninger» (Regjeringen.no, 2017).

At en ser at en av fire anbefalinger er blitt gjort noe med på tre år, så kan en spekulere at Stortingsrepresentantene er redde for offentliggjøring av både gaver og kontakter med tredjeparter som kunne skape skepsis til deres egen håndtering av saker som representanter. Dermed, har de i stillhet ikke tatt tak i dette. At en ikke har innført system for interessekonflikter kan vises til hvordan man kommer fra lobbyister eller bedrifter innen visse fagfelt for så å bli ministre, slik som vi har hatt ministre fra Oppdrettsnæringen som har vært landbruks- og fiskeri minister. Da de fortsatt har hatt verdier og aksjer i større foretak som driver med dette. Det vil og naturlig skape interesse konflikt ved visse reguleringer og lovgiving som blir utført, mens person sitter som minister.

«Korrupte handlinger kan bli begått i norske kommuner. Oftest tenker vi på at enkeltpersoner har gjort noe ulovlig eller upassende, ved å utnytte sin posisjon til å oppnå fordeler eller gi fordeler til andre» (…) «Vi sier ikke at hele kommunen dermed er korrupt. Det var den utro tjeneren som sviktet, mens kommunen for øvrig er «ren», tar avstand fra slike handlinger og sørger for å rydde opp» (Dølvik, 2016).

At en ikke har videreutviklet register for verv og økonomiske interesser viser hvor lite Stortingsrepresentantene vil være inhabil eller andre grunner for sine veivalg, enn det beste for befolkningen. Da vil sin egen lommebok være mer viktig enn det reelle utfordringer eller bestemmelser som blir tatt. Da kan også disse verv og økonomiske interesser bli brukt i forhandlinger og som støttespillere for videre lovgiving og mulige statelig innkjøp. Derfor bare med muligheten og mangel på innsyn viser at de vil ikke komme frem med de faktiske tilknytninger som de kan ha ellers i samfunnet.

Det viser at en kan lett få frem viktigheten av etiske rammer, men å gjøre det aktive er selv vanskelig for våre egne Stortingsrepresentanter som ikke vil direkte åpenlyst vise frem gaver eller penger som de har fått av givere. De har heller ikke klargjort reglene med tredjeparts gaver som kan skape interesse-konflikter for den som får dette. Da vil det i realiteten være mulig å gi en konvolutt uten å måtte gjøre for denne gaven.

At en ikke har fullført et register for interesse-konflikter viser hvor lite tiltro til sin befolkning våre Stortingsrepresentanter har, at de er redd for å vise sine andre roller og andre verv for befolkningen. De er redde for å vise sine sanne posisjoner og vennekretser. Der de har muligheter og knytter nettverk som tjener de både nå som representanter, men også i etter deres tid i parlamentet.

Dette viser at det er åpne hull og åpner for muligheter blant våre representanter som ikke er korrekt eller burde være der. De burde i sammen med Stortingspresidenten og andre komiteer sette foten ned og se seg fore for å fikse, justere og legge vekt på at de skal være foran når det kommer til lovlydighet og rett håndtering av statsforvaltningen. Dersom dette er feil, bør de iverksette sine organer og sine tillitsvalgte, sine apparat og sin struktur slik at dette kan gjøres om. Fordi så lenge det er mulig for tillitsbrudd, korrupte handlinger og avtaler gjort bak lukkede dører. Så vil dette skape et tillitsbrudd som ikke kan rettes opp igjen. Da vil også tilliten til Stortinget falle. Noe Stortinget og de som representerer det høyeste organ ikke har råd til å miste. Peace.

Referanse:

Dølvik, Tor – ‘Kronikk: Korrupsjonsranking – en idé også i Norge’ – Kommunerevisoren nr. 4/2016 – 71. årg.

Regjeringen.no – ‘Rapport om korrupsjon i Norge’ (15.02.2017) link: https://www.regjeringen.no/no/aktuelt/rapport-om-korrupsjon-i-norge/id2539057/

Joint statement on the Democratic Republic of the Congo by the African Union, the United Nations, the European Union and the International Organization of La Francophonie (16.02.2017)

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ADDIS ABABA, Ethiopia, February 16, 2017 – The African Union (AU), the United Nations (UN), the European Union (EU) and the International Organization of La Francophonie (IOF) are increasingly concerned by the continuing impasse in the dialogue among the political stakeholders in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) related to the implementation modalities of the 31 December political agreement.

The four partner organizations note that six weeks after agreeing on the modalities of a transition period leading to the holding of peaceful and credible elections by December 2017, the parties are yet to conclude discussions on the effective implementation of the agreement. This situation has the potential to undermine the political goodwill that led to the signing of the 31 December agreement.

In this context, the four partner organizations call on all stakeholders in the DRC, including the presidential majority and the opposition, to redouble, in good faith, their efforts towards a speedy conclusion of the ongoing talks.

The four partner organizations reaffirm the need for all parties to rally behind the mediation efforts led by the Conférence épiscopale nationale du Congo (CENCO), and recall that the full and timely implementation of the 31 December agreement is critical in upholding the legitimacy of the transitional institutions until elections.