




They expressed deep alarm that more than 84,000 individuals have fled South Sudan since the beginning of January and that many continue to be displaced internally.
WASHINGTON D.C., United States of America, February 13, 2017 -The members of the Security Council strongly condemned continued fighting across South Sudan, particularly incidents in the Equatoria and Upper Nile regions of South Sudan and called on all parties to cease hostilities immediately. The members of the Security Council also condemned in the strongest terms all attacks directed against civilians and expressed serious concern that, once again, there are reports of killing of civilians, sexual and gender-based violence, destruction of homes, ethnic violence, and looting of livestock and property. The members of the Security Council urged the Transitional Government of National Unity to take measures to ensure that those responsible for the attacks are held accountable. They expressed deep alarm that more than 84,000 individuals have fled South Sudan since the beginning of January and that many continue to be displaced internally.
The members of the Security Council stressed the primacy of the political process and that there is no military solution to the conflict and reminded all parties in South Sudan that implementation of the ceasefire is critical for the success of any genuine, inclusive political process, including national dialogue, and that such a process should be based on the framework provided by the Agreement on the Resolution of the Conflict in the Republic of South Sudan (the Agreement) and aimed at achieving national reconciliation and enhancing the trust among parties in South Sudan. They reiterated their call on all stakeholders to commit to full implementation of the Agreement.
In this regard, they welcomed the continued and collective commitment in the search for lasting peace, security and stability expressed by the African Union (AU), the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD), and the United Nations (UN) during the joint consultative meeting on South Sudan in Addis Ababa on January 29, 2017. The members of the Security Council committed to work closely with IGAD, the AU High Representative for South Sudan former President Alpha Oumar Konare, the Chairperson of the Joint Monitoring and Evaluation Commission former President Festus Mogae, and the UN Secretary-General in support of the South Sudan peace process.
The members of the Security Council expressed appreciation for UNMISS’s tenacity in its efforts to carry out its protection of civilians mandate and expressed deep concern that UNMISS continues to face obstacles from the Transitional Government of National Unity hindering the ability of UNMISS to carry out its mandate to protect civilians and create conditions conducive to delivery of humanitarian assistance. The members of the Security Council reminded the Transitional Government of National Unity of its commitment in the September 4, 2016, Joint Communique to permit freedom of movement of UNMISS and expressed deep disappointment that the Transitional Government of National Unity continues to act inconsistently with this commitment and its obligations under the Status of Forces Agreement with the United Nations.
The members of the Security Council reiterated that targeting civilians may constitute war crimes and those involved could be subject to sanctions as authorized under resolution 2206 (2015) for actions that threaten the peace, security or stability of South Sudan.

Now that a few days have gone by and mind is put to the rest, the State of the Nation Address 2017 #SONA2017 of South Africa been held in the National Assembly and the dust have settled. We can still wonder if this was the outcome and the wished legacy that the African National Congress (ANC) wanted to leave behind. The speech of President Jacob Zuma will not be the important matter after the national tragedy; even the Greek legends couldn’t have created a masterpiece of this proportion.
Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) under Julius Malema or the Democratic Alliance (DA) under Mmusi Maimane couldn’t have wished for better audience to show the neglect and lost space under President Zuma. President Zuma has forgotten his heritage and what he carries with his position. Zuma is living on laurels of others, but not honouring it, instead he and his allies are eating of it. They are eating so heavy that all meat is scratched off the bone and digested.
Even The Congress of the People (Cope) leader Mosiuoa Lekota wouldn’t have thought this would go this far, even the so the South African Communist Party (SACP) Blade Nzimande must think that the freedom fighting days of ANC and wish for a equal distribution of goods and wealth is long dead in the ruling party. If it was so the ANC would not enrichen their elite and new-wealthy men and woman who loyally are eating of the government plate; instead of building progressive and clear-cut initiative to create work for a broader base of the citizens. Those days are long gone and forgotten after the term of Thabo Mbeki.

Zuma had to bring the National Army into the chambers where the speech of the president was about to happen, as much as the Police Officers presences on the streets was like a lock-down from the get-go. Like Zuma was preparing for a show of brutal force and not a honouring the Parliament and its constitution. Not like he has respected before, he has only had eager for power and not for running it for a common good. That MP Mapisa Nqakula needed to gazette legality on the 9th February to make sure the public of legality of having the army in the Parliament between 5th to 10th February. Zuma has many loyal servants that honour him instead of the constitution. Nevertheless, that is just a floosy disgusting paper right, aye?
No matter if an ANC MP created a fuzz with words and the ANC Parliamentary Speaker Baleka Mbete would have been Nobel in his approach. Instead of dialogue or even giving space, he expected to be a loyal servant only to Zuma and not to the rule of law. There are not many who doubt where the loyalty of Mbete lays, not with the codes of the sacred chambers of Parliament, but instead with the man who is the executive of the Republic. ANC has certainly forgotten their roots and their mission, the quests and their direction as a political movement.
What even more insulting after the violence of removing EFF and the DA walking out of the Parliament as a result of the misbehaving ANC MPs, the ones left behind started to sleep when President Zuma was addressing them. Well, there wasn’t anything serious left other than empty tin-box lies and deceit from the man-in-charge. Who has no scruples and no mercy for his opposition!
Zuma will now not tango with his enemy or even try to shadow play with the opposition, as the local election we’re insulting to the ANC and their ruling regime, that they lost important towns and places they have never seen others having mayors and local governments post-apartheid. That is the estate and the cracking into the party organization and the strain the chaos of corruption has left behind under Zuma. Something that not a puzzle of magic wand or public display can change, the heartbeat and the pulse is out of whack.

Zuma and his cronyism aren’t benefiting anyone nearly except his men and woman. The rest are left behind and on unknown terms as the leadership of ANC skates by with no concern of their reputation or their legislation. The procedures and their neglect of the value of institutions or government companies are proven with the delayed 2015 report on Eskom, that we’re released the day after Sona17, because ANC wanted another scandal than this one in the news.
Zuma wanted to be released from fatigue and disgusted with the sleeping MPs and the attacking opposition. He wanted to be claimed to be corrupt and neglect of his role as executive of holding the report behind locked doors. Just like he wanted to silence the Capture of the State report, but that one became a hot-potato he couldn’t keep in the archives until it was meaningless.
Now the SONA17 have put a new giant stain on the ANC, the Zuma administration and the National Assembly that prefers defending the Executive or defending the rule of law. As some say the constitution and the laws that built the Republic of South Africa. They doesn’t matter for Zuma or his cronies, but it means something to ones living in KwaZulu-Natal, the Orange State or anywhere else in the republic. Peace.

I got to be honest, when the NRM SG Lumumba or any other in the Ruling Regime is forgetting how they hired people and for what reason; then I need to address the mistakes and the bewilderment in the lacking of institutionalism and professionalism in the Movement. Not that I am surprised as they follow any wink or movement from Mzee. Let’s show first what the Secretary General Lumumba said recently and then what a CAO was claimed to be doing when the Public Service Commission hired a dozen in 2014!
“The National Resistance Movement (NRM) secretary general, Ms Kasule Lumumba, has warned district Chief Administrative Officers (CAOs) against being influenced by Opposition district chairpersons while executing their duties” (…) “It has come to my attention that most of the district Opposition leaders use their positions to intimidate our CAOs, mostly those who have been transferred to new offices such as our CAO in Wakiso and others in different districts,” Ms Lumumba said” (…) “When I stop you CAOs from being influenced by the district chairpersons, it doesn’t mean that I have told you to have disagreements with them but when you notice that you’re being influenced, please refuse and report to our offices for technical support. But I also need you people to have harmony and good working relationship with them while executing your duties,” she added” (Kiggundu, 2017).
What are key factors in all job descriptions of CAOs?
“Providing direction and guidance to the Local Government Councils and their Departments in the application of the relevant laws and policies. Supervising, monitoring and coordinating the activities of the District and Lower Council’s employees and departments and ensuring accountability and transparency in the management and delivery of Council services. Developing capacity for development and management of the planning function in the District. Supervising and coordinating the activities of all delegated services and the officers working in those services. Keeping custody of all documents and records of the Local Government Council. Acting as liaison Officer between the District Council, Government and private sector. Advising the Chairperson and Executive on the administration of the Council” (Public Service Commission, 31.09.2014).
So when you see the NRM Secretary general statement, it is fault and mistaken it’s role of the CAO. The CAOs are for the better work of the Local Government Council, that means for all members neither if they are Democratic Party, Uganda People’s Congress, Forum for Democratic Change, Farmers Party or the Progressive People’s Party. What matters is that the results and the work of the Local Government Council, not their allegiance or their place in which party. The CAO are also for ensuring accountability and transparency. Being so means that the CAO has to look over the LGC and their portfolios, their works and their needed assistance across party lines, neither if it is NRM or any other party. Still, the NRM SG Lumumba is more about the opposition creating fear supposedly from the Opposition. Since the NRM are usually pre-occupied with finding ways of bribing justice and rule of law.
The CAO and the LGC are inter-connected neither party involved in the district that matters. The Councillors and other leaders need to know what plans and how to participate together with the CAO to fulfil the guidance and needed state oversight of the works of the district. If this isn’t done, than the checks and balances will be lacking trust. There need to be a working relationship between the District Council and the CAO. When the CAO will be the liaison of the works done in the district!
So I would wish the ruling party and ruling regime had more tact. But that is asking too much, people like NRM SG Lumumba always create enemies instead of trying to bring an olive-branch. It is not in her character to be peaceful or dialogue. Instead she is on the war-path. Blaming the opposition and giving them a head-spin.
She would never ever have said this about her own, hey she would praise for the work in the districts. NRM SG didn’t say anything about the NRM Councillors because they are perfect and doesn’t try to intimidate or use their positions at all. They are perfect party members and local elected officials who work in wonderful harmony with the CAOs, not like the opposition. This could be the second meaning of what she did say?
Well, enough of the nonsense from the Movement for today. Peace.
Reference:
Kiggundu, Joseph – ‘Lumumba cautions CAOs on Opposition leaders’ (12.02.2017) link: http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/Lumumba-cautions-CAOs-on-Opposition-leaders/688334-3809580-41if1u/index.html

A long-time delayed report have been released this week, as the South African ruling party African National Congress (ANC) and their ministers has tried to subdue the private analysis of the government energy company ESKOM. However, this report will assess needed information that should have been delivered before the other leaks of questionable transactions and contracts that Eskom has done in the recent years under President Jacob Zuma. President Zuma has used his presidency to earn monies for his family members and even some of his family work in corporations that have gotten state contracts through Eskom. Therefore this report is telling of how the sufficient business-model and energy production has been handled by Eskom. This will be about the years before 2015 and to that date. What Eskom has done since has either been revealed through the contracts or through the scrutiny of Public Protector or Finance Minister who has questioned the company themselves. Just take a look at what I find as key things from this report!
“Prior to 1997, Eskom plant operated at relatively low energy utilisation factors (EUF). However, from the onset of Eskom 90:7:3 operational strategy in the mid-90s, the Eskom plant operated at higher EUFs. After 2012, the plant operational at very high EUFs with the median being in excess of 90%” (Dentons, P: 19, 2015).
About the lacking investment in older plants:
“The Generation Sustainability Strategy document cited information that Eskom has reduced planned maintenance (reflected in the Planned Capability Loss Factor (PCLF)) in order to maintain “Keeping Lights On (KLO)” strategy. It could be noted that the historical 90:7:3 strategy applied by Eskom should also be factored in the assessment of the fleet performance as international practice typically targets values in the order of 85:10:5” (…) “The historically low PCLF coupled with the KLO strategy and factors such as coal quality and high utilisation factors have led to a sharp increase in Unplanned Capabilities Loss Factors (UCLF)” (Dentons, P: 19, 2015). “The Generation Sustainability Strategy document indicates that the Eskom generation fleet has experienced 15 years of under-investment in capital expenditure (capex) which is largely the result of cost cutting due to financial and capacity constraints” (Dentons, P: 20, 2015). “The analysis of this information indicates that there was significant under-investment refurbishment capex versus best practice for an extended period of time (from the mid 1990s). The under-investment at plant mid-life age is also critical and significantly contributes to the current poor plant performance” (Dentons, P: 22, 2015).
2010 Football World Cup:
“To uphold the KLO Strategy, short term decisions were made by Eskom that negatively impacted on the long-term sustainability of the generation plant. Historically, this would include the impacts of maximising plant availability during the critical period in 2010 prior to and including the FIFA 2010 World Cup. The knock-on effects of deferring maintenance may not be immediately materialised and often manifest themselves later in the generation planning/production cycle. As an example, the available documentation indicates that in January 2013, five previous maintenance outages were not executed as scheduled as sufficient generation capacity was not available on the grid. The lack of generation reserves has also resulted in units operating outside limits of good practice. As an example, in June 2014, 46 out of the 79 coal units were operating outside of good practice” (Dentons, P:27, 2015).

Load Shedding:
“Load Shedding is the reduction of demand to achieve a balance between available generation and demand. If demand significantly exceeds available generation and reduction in demand is not achieved, the system will frequently drop, which may ultimately result in a system black-out” (…) “The problem Eskom faces is a steady decline in the performance and availability of its coal fleet. The further leads to a lack of ‘space’ to execute the maintenance required to restore the condition of the coal-fired power stations so as to achieve acceptable operating performance. This has been compounded by the delays in bringing on new capacity such as Mepudi, Kusile and Ingula” (Dentos, P: 30, 2015).
Skills to execute new build projects:
“When the decision to proceed with the new build projects was made, Eskom had limited skills to conduct such a project. Eskom has not developed coal power plants for decades. Experienced power plant staff (mostly operational staff) were moved to new build programme which left substantial skills gaps at the operating power stations” (Dentons, P: 38, 2015).
Delayed Projects:
“One of the measures taken by Eskom to bolster knowledge and experience was to recruit experienced resources internationally to increase the skills base. Eskom recently announced revised timelines for the Medupi and Kusile indicating that these projects will be further delayed and are now only planned completion by 2020 for Medupi and 2022 for Kusile. These appear to be more realistic time frames given the current status, but there remains general scepticism as to whether Eskom will be able to achieve this given its past track record on contract management for these projects” (Dentons, P: 42, 2015).
Debt made by Eskom:
“New debt of R49.5bn was taken on in the year to fund the continued capex programme. However, Eskom was downgraded to sub-investment grade status by both Moody’s and S&P and thus the funding was provided at much higher finance cost. Liquidity concerns were heightened as the net cash flow from operating activities of R23.3bn was not sufficient to cover the total of debt due for repayment of R17.1bn as well as the net financing interest payable of R15.3bn resulting in a shortfall of R11bn. In essence borrowings were starting to be used for ongoing operations” (Dentons, P: 89, 2015). “Eskom Treasury recently highlighted the key risks that Eskom faces to execute the borrowing programme, and in turn therefore complete the new builds: realisation of BPP cost savings; cost overturns on Medpudi and Kusile; RCA cost recovery in MYPD3 future years; Declining future ratios; threat of future ratios; threat of further credit rating downgrades; inadequate liquidity buffer; Lack of market appetite for Eskom debt; and inability to execute borrowing programme. In FY2015, all of these risk materialised” (Dentons, P: 94, 2015). “Recent history does not place these risks in a good light. Eskom is currently sacrificing its future to survive. If sales and arrears continue to plague Eskom, there is a shortfall in lending, a failure to meet meaningful cost savings, and a continued EAF below 80% prevail (in other words a continuation of the trend of the past 2 years), Eskom’s bail-out funds will evaporate” (Dentons, P: 95, 2015).

That this report is damaging to the reputation of Eskom. This shows the malpractice and lacking of guidance that the company has had. The monopoly and grand control over the market as the state corporation has given it kickbacks and security of funds, even as they haven’t done things properly or planned. Therefore the enlightenment and the clear indication of lose planning and less of experts on the field of building new power-plants is proof of the misguided and maladministration that’s been inside the Eskom company.
The African National Congress that has been the ruling regime and the ruling party, that has been in-charge of the resources and the selection of hiring and changing leaders of the company. Can be put to blame for lenient and lacking acts of putting in place enough expertise and enough clear procedures on how the changing leadership should go about. So the Eskom could be sure of having men and woman who we’re qualified and had experience to handle an organization and business like this.
The report highlights major facts and breaches in also ordinary buying procedures and lacking of that and other issues that I couldn’t fit. There are many lose ends that Eskom has and needs to address, that ANC has to take responsibility for and also answer for. Because the Company has dwindled and lost its edge during the reign of ANC and President Zuma, who rather spoils the company instead of investing in it! Peace.
Reference:
Dentons – ‘Report on Eskom’ (02.07.2015)










The African Union and East African Community leader and facilitator and former Tanzanian President His Excellency Benjamin William Mpaka are apparently waiting for Burundian President Pierre Nkurunziza to be sure that the delegation and the members of the peaceful dialogue are agreed upon before the actual meeting. That means the impartial and impertinent meeting of dialogue has already been scrutinized by the military and the executive of Burundian authorities, that means from the set-up the opposition has been side-lined.
This is not really news since Secretary General of the Supreme Court Agries Bangirienge who order that a dozens of individual and political activists not allowed joining in the Inclusive Dialogue as of 2nd February 2017. These are the lucky who are exiled and on a now non-exhaustive list: Moise Bucumi, Bernand Busokoza, rtd. Maj.Gen. Godefroid Niyombare, rtd. Brig. Gen.Philbert Habarugira, Leonard Ngerdakumana, Leonidas Hatungimana, Onesime Nduwimana, Liboire Bakundukize, Edouard Nibigira, Pacifique Nininahazwe, Patrick Ndikumana, Vital Nshimirimana, rtd. Maj. Gen. Pontien Gaciyubwenge and many more; the list in total contains of 34 individuals and many former high ranking officials in Burundi. So the Burundi authorities have already set the standard of who is allowed and who is banned.
Therefore with the list coming today from Mpaka, the chief negotiator is captivated by the government regime that shields itself with their strict regulation on people and who to speak too. So if Mpaka even wants to have anything to show for, he has to trade his scalps and be humble abode to the President Nkurunziza. This is shown with the list of today.
A list which states this on the bottom: “The Participation is subject to conclusion of discussion with President Nkurunziza to grant personal immunity”. Which translated meaning that President Nkurunziza allowed and set the standard for who to show-up and attend the negotiations, and also who was not allowed to attend. Like the sanctioned list of 2nd February shows the intent of Burundian authorities under Nkurunziza rule.
What the list also contains as the source is claiming that certain parties are not existing in the party register even, the likes of CNDD-FDD-Frondeur, FNL-Amizero or even the UPRONA-Amizero. If this is true, than there more capable evident that the CNDD-FDD are trying to look more multi-party friendly than they are, since they have already put sanctions on so many opposition who is in exile. Even as the news of Ex-Fab soldiers and former leaders are assassinated during the 2015 and 2016. I am just saying so if you didn’t know!
Maybe there would be viable opposition if the fear of oppression, militant behaviour and even free movement would help, since that is not existing and that certain former leaders of opposition leaders have been killed since 2015, the real opposition is either banned or sanctioned against. Therefore Nkurunziza prefers a discussion with himself and his loyal living allies instead of trying to offer a token of peace to the ones questioning his illegitimate government. Peace.