Opinion: Burundian government support of Mayi-Mayi in Kivu Provnices; is it a ploy to keep Kabila in Power?

The instability in the Democratic Republic of Congo has been used by the other states in the Great Lakes Region. This has been done in the past by both Rwandan and Ugandan forces, even South Sudanese rebels has been on DRC territory at some point. Therefore, its a massive change that the Burundian support of rebels. Seems like it been used as propaganda tool by the Bujumbura government. That President Pierre Nkurunziza is using his CNDD-FDD youth militia the Imbonerakure, to create havoc at the neighbor country in collaboration with the Mai-Mai Yakutumba.

There is even an agreement flooding online between Mayi-Mayi Jejero Pelican and representative of the Burundian government Eltienne Ntakuratimana, who wrote an agreement on the 8^th February 2017, where the Burundian counterparts would supply guns, ammunition and radios to the Mayi-Mayi group in response of taking out the Rwandan counterparts in the region.

So first after giving a short insight to who the Mayi-Mayi militia is, I will give one report on the Burundian enterprise in the Democratic Republic of Congo, before showing my thoughts on the manner. Where the different rumors are combined with critical thinking on the actors in the conflict of the Kivu’s. Who earns and what purpose. Take a look!

A tale of who the Mayi-Mayi or Mai-Mai is explained nicely here:

“This inter-community power conflict is shaped by and shapes antagonistic identities, which are firmly rooted in specific worldviews. In the case of the Mai Mai Yakutumba, this worldview is constructed around the idea of “autochthony”, or the concept of being a “Son of the Soil”, the “original” inhabitant of a certain zone. In this perspective, which is shared by almost all Mai-Mai groups in the DRC, the self-styled autochthonous groups are threatened by the Rwandophone communities (Hutu and Tutsi), who are seen as “foreigners” trying to take over their land and power. Betweeen 1996 and 2003, “autochthonous” and Tutsi (often Banyamulenge)-led groups clashed on numerous occasions in southern South Kivu, and there were several ethnically targeted massacres on both sides. The resulting mutual distrust and dislike continue to feed Mai Mai movements like the Yakutumba group, which serves to many Babembe as a psychological safeguard to avoid that the Banyamulenge will extend their power in Fizi and will come to dominate the Babembe” (…) “It is in part this function as a safeguard that makes Yakutumba fairly popular among the Babembe, although many do not approve of armed struggle and are tired of the war. What also contributes to Yakutumba’s popularity is that he is perceived to symbolize and embody what are seen as typical Bembe characteristics and values, such as resistance against domination and repression, not only from other ethnic groups, but also from the central government. This self-imagery is in part the product of a tradition of Bembe resistance dating back to the colonial era, the Mulele rebellion in the 1960s and the Fizi-based rebellion of Laurent-Désiré Kabila under the Mobutu regime. The Mai Mai Yakutumba place themselves explicitly in this tradition, which implies a strong animosity towards Kinshasa. They consider the regime of Kabila jr. to be complicit with the Rwandophones and their plan to ‘balkanize’ the DRC, backed by resource-hungry imperialist powers” (Verweijen, 2011).

This shows the plans and added support of the group from Burundi would serve their purpose, as well as give them strength to create havoc in the Kivu’s. Since they want power and be different than the Armed Forces of the Democratic Republic of Congo (FARDC), also different from FDLR and ADF. Who all have been militias contributing to violence and weakening the control of these eastern states of the Republic. As well, being proof of the lacking control that the Central Government from Kinshasa has in the region. With all the eyes that we’re on M23 who has had armed insurgency and also tried to gain control of the area. It’s wouldn’t be the first try someone who has supported a group like Mayi-Mayi/Mai-Mai has done it in the Kivu’s, to show Kabila and his government, that they want to be a force to be recon with.

“Very few smart commentators aside. However, Gibert-Bécaud Njangwa, president of the association ONELOPE-Burundi (mobility) finds that the capture of Uvira by Yakutumba would destabilize peace and security in Bujumbura. He is not talking about a threat from some Burundian rebel group. But he suspects that behind Yakutumba is the invisible hand of the West: “It is very likely that Burundi is attacked by mercenaries from Congo Kinshasa so that the West can destabilize peace and security in the subregion. The Government of Burundi must be vigilant, if not the plan of destabilization is well conceived, planned, it can be executed from one moment to another” (…) “Another reading by the former communication commissioner of the Burundian opposition platform CNARED: “Uncontradicted evidence shows that Mai-Mai Yakutumba are working with Burundian intelligence, Imbonerakure militia in DRC, Interahamwe militiamen who are also allies of the Burundian regime. We have evidence that Mai-Mai Yakutumba are supplied with weapons from Bujumbura, we also know that elements of the regime are fighting alongside them. “(Ngendakumana, 2017).

If all of this isn’t bad enough, there are speculations that National pour le Renouveau et la Democratie (CNRD-Ubwiyunge) and Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Rwanda (FDLR), who is Rwandan counterparts in the same region. CNRD-Ubwiyunge have been an armed militia who has tried to gain control. While the FDLR has been more trying to recoup strength to go back and take their motherland back again from the Rwandan Patriotic Front(RPF). Therefore, the troubles of the region, also transpires in the Kivu States. So, the problems and the power-struggle of Burundi is now reaching the mineral rich Kivu’s and Uvira.

There reports that both CNRD and FDLR has been fighting together with Mayi-Mayi this month and in the battles for Uvira this week. If that is likely or true, than it wouldn’t fit the pattern and the history of the Mayi-Mayi, but they are accepting foreign support from Burundi, so if they would use help of Rwandan supported groups. It would be more powerful and even stronger, in the region where the FARDC and MONUSCO is lacking manpower and resources. If they had enough and if they could, they would have been able to banish these groups long time ago, but the Kabila government is keeping them. Just like he is accepting insurgency from Kisoro, Uganda into Southern Kivu, since its from the friends that brought him into power.

There is even further conspiracy that Pierre Nkurunziza is working together with Joseph Kabila to make instability and insurgency, so that there is no need for another election and end of his term. Secondly, the support and the instability is made to make sure the FARDC could get support from French Government, which they can use to invade and control the Rwandan Government. That is only plausible, if the French wants to challenge Paul Kagame, since he has distanced himself from Paris during recent years. Thirdly, the Burundian government would use their relationship with Kabila and Paris to gain proper capital to their struggling economy. So the trade of arms to militias in Kivu Provinces, would enrich the weak Bujumbura government.

Sidebar: We can just wonder if even Emmanuel Macron would care about these places, since he is more into make-up, then international politics, just remember his ignorance towards the African continent earlier this year. Therefore, parts of me doubt it, but French involvement in regime change on the continent isn’t new, but would a risky project for the newly elected French President to pull-off. Even more seasoned leaders has struggled with doing so.

Sidebar II: It is more reasonable to use this insurgency to enforce the need for Kabila, just as the running battles in Kasai-Orientale, which has killed dozens and made massive amounts of mass-graves. So that his leadership could again regain peace, but this is different. Just like the sudden movement of M23 from camps in Kisoro in 2016 and early 2017, that just fitted the paradigm of using militias as pawns. The innocent lives in the Kivu Provinces to let Kabila government rule a little longer. The same could be possible yet again. This time instead of having either Rwandan or Ugandan supported militias, it would be the cash-strapped Burundian government, who would need the financial support and the trade with the groups. Clearly, it makes it more plausible, as the net of well-wishers are dwindling for Bujumbura as well.

We just have to wait and see, what is fact and what is fiction. What we do know is that that Bukavu and Uvira has seen violence and insurgency this last few days. That the DRC/RDC has seen militias growing in strength and if foreign states are interfering in the Kivu’s. Peace.

Reference:

Ngendakumana, Phillipe – ‘Et si les Maï-Maï Yakutumba prenaient Uvira, la ville de Bujumbura serait-elle menacée?’ (30.09.2017) link: http://www.ikiriho.org/2017/09/30/burundi-rdc-mai-mai-yakutumba-prenaient-uvira-la-ville-de-bujumbura-serait-elle-menacee-monusco/

Verweijen, Judith – ‘Guest Blog: Profile of Mai-Mai Yakutumba’ (01.08.2011) link: http://congosiasa.blogspot.no/2011/08/guest-blog-profile-of-mai-mai-yakutumba.html

NASA Statement: “NASA Objects to Outrageous Tender Award to OT-Morpho” (30.09.2017)

Age Limit: No Media House is allowed to host the 25 Suspended MPs, the new UCC Guidelines say!

This here is not shocking, but this is the state of control the National Resistance Movement has and are controlling the other parts of society. It is not enough that 25 Members of Parliament was suspended from taking part in the Plenary Session on Wednesday 27^th September 2017. That they we’re taking out by force and violence inside the Parliament. This should be enough of oppression and proving how far the NRM goes to own the Republic. Clearly that was not enough as the MPs had to show up at Central Investigation Division at Kireka. There they we’re interrogated on the 28^th September 2017. All of this should be enough as the Age Limit Motion got passed on the 27^th and the praise of Parliamentary Speaker Rebecca Kadaga happen on the 28^th. All of this proves how belittling the NRM are to voice of opposition and dissidents.

Today, it is proven even worse, as the NTV Uganda Reporter Sudir Byaruhanga spelled out this: “No media house is allowed to host the 25 suspended MPs according to the new UCC guidelines” (Byaruhanga, 30.09.2017). This proves to what extent the NRM goes to silence the message and the ones wanting to stop the Age Limit Bill. That the ones who are defying and speaking ill of the possible bill. Is not allowed on the airways, on live broadcast or expressing their concern.

He was not alone to reveal the controlling efforts of the state. Oskar Semweya-Musoka, the ones running the favorite political radio talkshow ‘The Capital Gang’ reveled: “We received phone calls that stopped us from hosting Bobi Wine on The Capital Gang today” (Semweya-Musoka, 30.09.2017). Both of them is media personalities and has knowledge of how it is.

That NTV and radio stations are silenced, that has happen when radios has shows with Dr. Kizza Besigye, the Uganda Communications Commission (UCC) has ordered direct orders to stop transmitter s and closing stations for not complying. They also stopped the live-broadcast from the Parliament on the Age Limit Motion on Wednesday. Clearly, they know the toils of oppression and is complying with orders from above. They know that they have the obligation to comply and put in the sanctions. If not the NRM will find other heads to run the UCC.

But we now know the extend, the manner in which the NRM state are ruling. We know now that the democratic values is dying, freedom of expression is getting shrunk in everyday. The longer Museveni rules, the state wants to control it more. The possible closure of newspapers like Daily Monitor and Red Pepper might happen too. The Independent Magazine will live, because Mwenda and Museveni is as close as kin these days. The Observer might be raided, but the wealth of the owners might make it stick for a while longer, as long as they are not pushing their message to far south.

The NRM can clearly not accept defiance, the civil disobedience and the belittlement of the cause, the cause being life-presidency for Museveni. Since he can acts as he pleases go on radio and lie until his lips goes dry, while people questioning his right rule, get silenced or stopped from doing so. That is why the 25 MPs are now stopped from taking part of the conversation. Being in the public sphere by the media and their channels of information. This is vital for discussion and debating the Age Limit. The NRM and Museveni wants to control the debate in their favor and therefore blocking the rest. If people do act outside the spectrum of the NRM, there will be sanctions as seen earlier this month. Freedom FM in Kabale, know whats happen if you do.

It means these are not allowed, as reported on 27^th:

“The Speaker Rebecca Kadaga has named 25 Members of Parliament who have been suspended and asked them to exit the Chambers. The suspended MPs are; Kibuule, Ssewanyana, Amoding, Lyomoki, Kasibante, Nambooze, Kyagulanyi, Zaake, Kasozi, Nzohgu &Olanya. The other suspended MPs are; Osegge, Niwagaba, Odonga Otto, Mafabi, Munyangwa, Nambeshe, Mbwatekamwa & Mugume. Ssewungu, Tinkasiimire, Muwanga Kivumbi and Medard Ssegona are the others suspended. The Speaker has suspended the sitting to allow the MPs exit the House or be evicted by the Sergeant at Arms” (New Vision, 27.09.2017).

All of these MPs are now banned from shows and media houses. If the media comply with these sanctions and these acts of excessive breach of freedom of speech. You know that the debates and the stories that are told will be one sided. It will never be the whole story, neither the factual or critical thinking towards the Age Limit. Not that Museveni wants that, because if you look critical at him, you will finds sculls and blood. Stories that’s not reflect the so-called “statesman” like story he wants portrayed of himself.

But you the NRM are weak, when they cannot carry discussions and debates of opposition. When they don’t have the arguments and the reasoning to let them go-on. Since Museveni knows his weakness and he cannot stomach it. That is why the orders from above was to clear the Parliament Plenary Sitting, since he couldn’t manage to humiliated, even if it meant destroying the sanctity of it.

Now they are proving their lack of tolerance and understanding of need of an open media that discuss this vital matters. That the representatives should be allowed to talk and debate the manner. Not only looking and listening to the brilliant mind of Ofwono Opondo and his NRM defense no matter what or other loyal cronies. That will all be sounding the same and saying nearly the same. Defending the NRM and the President without concern that its burning, they see the smoke, but they will not talk about it like it doesn’t exists. Not until themselves are burnt by it, than their acts might change. Until then, they are accepting the republic is burning, but they don’t want to say it! Peace.

Hon. Otto Odonga Letter to Hon. Rebecca Kadaga: “Re: Withdrawal from your Cases Cum Demand Note” (29.09.2017)

Apollo Mboya letter to Judicial Service Commission: “Re: Petition for Compounded Misconducted Against Hon. Njoki Susanna Ndung’u” (29.09.2017)

Opinion: Why is Kenyatta afraid of free and fair elections? Well, because at this point he couldn’t win one!

I know, I know, sometimes I am late to the party, sometimes I scan through things, but in the recent days and with the news unfolding in the background of the constitutional crisis Uganda. Most things has shadowed that. But with a little consideration, I had a revelation. A starch one for me, I might be late and forgive me, but at this point, the incumbent President Uhuru Kenyatta and Deputy President William Ruto cannot win in a free and fair election.

It makes perfect sense, it really make sense of how it’s been since the Supreme Court ruling and the nullification. The nullification came on the matter of computer algorithms that couldn’t be proven or had any basis on the possible transmitted results from the polling stations. The tally came from nowhere and the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) announced Kenyatta the winner. Though the Court Justices at the Supreme Court saw it as a mischief and electoral malpractice that wasn’t following the codes and procedures in the law and in the Constitution.

So here we are today with a build-up to a second round of elections. National Super Alliance (NASA), Key Opponent Raila Odinga and Deputy Stephen Kalonzo Musyoka are gearing up their demonstrations and wanting to reform the IEBC. This is happening while the incumbent trying to rally again and as much as possible on short time. Just like he did in the days ahead of 8^th August 2017. This has alle been seen before, but more dire this time. NASA is using their time making sure the provisions of the laws is hold and that the IEBC are up to standard, which they we’re far from during the previous election.

So we can know something by just these acts, as well as all the spreading of hatred towards the Supreme Court from the Jubilee Leadership, while they have worked to defend IEBC and it’s leaders. This is what is striking, one institution are wrong for stopping the incumbent a second term, the other institution cheated them from it, but is still valid to do it again without any concern of reforming it. It shows that the Jubilee doesn’t care how they win and if it takes rigging. They don’t mind the rigging at all. It serves the purpose, they stay in power by any means.

Kenyatta cannot win without rigging. Without some sort of foul play, without use of state funds and civil servants, cabinet secretaries and all sort of digital manipulation to get the results in his favor. It seems so obvious. Since he has used his time in office to enrich his cronies and his people. That is why the Jubilee government had in its time more than plenty of grand corruption cases and misuse of state reserves, which shouldn’t be accepted anywhere.

Still, even with this track-record and lack of keeping up with prior promises. Kenyatta still believes he is the righteous one, that all Kenyans will naturally back. Like he is perfect leader and the one who can control the ship. Clearly, the PR gigs and memos make it golden, but when you start to look. The picture is distorted and the evidence of work is often lacking. Its sprinkled quick work with a heavy bill, without any consideration of the tenders or the users. That is why the Hospital Containers or whatever they we’re meant to be. Is still on the stockpile and not out in the districts and counties.

That is the old news, but the new news, that has been steady all through September 2017 is the lack of understanding, lack of tact and also grasp of why the Jubilee lost in the Supreme Court. It was the IEBC who lost the case and had to restart a new election. Still, they have kept the same heads and changed a few, but not to make it trustworthy. As long as the IEBC Secretariat is of the same people, they might try to pull of the same trick as before. Even as the suppliers like OT-Morpho, Safaricom and others has proven to partial. Also, Jubilee internal memos proves they are defending Ezra Chiloba and Wafula Chebukati. All of this is happening as the IEBC has taken their dirty laundry to the press. Still, even as this has happen, the Jubilee has not attacked or cared for changing it. They have kept cool and told their staff and government employees that they are suspended for traveling abroad.

The Jubilee and Kenyatta, seems to not get what that happen. He doesn’t bring hope, neither trust. Since with his non-acts towards the IEBC and the revelation of Tuju defending the IEBC. We can know that the Jubilee knows they earn on keeping the IEBC as today. They are fearing if they turned Independent in more than just the name.

Well, since it is like that, we can know that Kenyatta cannot win in fair election at this point. That is why he is not bothered with reforming or changing the IEBC. He knows that if they do as they do. He will become the President again, even if it is against the will of the people. This proves that he see no reason to risk his loss and possible end of Presidency. Kenyatta deem that unacceptable and therefore pursuit another way. Even if it means this time actually respecting all districts and making it seem like the voters are important to him. They weren’t that before the August 2017. Because he knew he would win it, just as he thought the case before the Supreme Court was stellar and could post elephants on twitter the before while waiting on the Court Ruling. Something that really insulted him and he felt betrayed by them.

Kenyatta knew that IEBC would rig for him and would serve his purpose, we don’t know to what extent or how close the Chiloba and Chebukati is to the Jubilee leadership. Clearly, close enough that the Jubilee Secretariat are defending them. We just have to wait, but we can now from the recent month, that the Kenyatta presidency cannot have enough votes or support to actually win. If he did and if he had faith in the IEBC. He would have the state of mind to reform it and wait for another announced election after the new staff and provisions, that again could given all stakeholders trust in the Electoral Commission. Instead, the trust of IEBC is lackluster, the same should be of Jubilee. Only thing trustworthy is the Supreme Court and Odinga. Since NASA has been the truth considering the problematic electoral malpractice that was done in August.

Kenyatta cannot win in a free and fair election. Deep inside him, he accepts it, but he will not say, because that is slap in his face. Peace.

Kura Yangu Sauti Yangu Press Statement on Irreducible Minimums (29.09.2017)

NASA Letter to Nairobi Police Commander Koome – “Ref: Notification of a Peaceful Demonstration to IEBC Headquarters on Monday 2nd October 2017 and Friday 6th October 2017” (29.09.2017)

U.S. Leaked Document – “Termination Letter to Deputy Attorney General Sally Yates” (30.01.2017)

Buganda Kingdom statement regarding what transpired on Wednesday in the Parliament(29.09.2017)