IGAD lnternal Memo: “Re: IGAD Special Mission to Somalia” (13.09.2017)

Arms proliferation continues in Darfur, but area remains largely calm, Security Council told (14.09.2017)

NEW YORK – The situation in Darfur has been largely calm in recent months, but there is continued violence fuelled by a proliferation of weapons and competition over natural resources, a senior United Nations official today told the Security Council.

“Most of the insecurity currently experienced in Darfur can be attributed to the tensions originating from the underlying causes of the conflict, exacerbated by the proliferation of arms in the hands of civilians and militia groups,” said Jeremiah Mamabolo, Special Representative and Head of the African Union-UN Hybrid Operation in Darfur (UNAMID).

“Inter-communal disputes usually triggered by competition over land, water, livestock and mineral resources, have become increasingly violent due to the availability of weapons,” added Mr. Mamabolo.

The Government is carrying out an arms control campaign but reactions to the arms collection campaign “vary,” according to Mr. Mamabolo, who noted that the opposition and groups who did not sign the peace agreement are opposed to it.

Briefing the 15-member Council in New York on quarterly developments in the region of Sudan, Mr. Mamabolo noted progress on the implementation of the peace agreement is “limited.”

That agreement was signed in 2012 by the Government of Sudan and the Liberation and Justice Movement (LJM), based on the Doha Document for Peace in Darfur (DDPD), which calls for a permanent ceasefire and comprehensive peace agreement to end the fighting.

Progress is particularly limited on issues such as “durable solutions to displacement, the administration of land, water, and other scarce resources, and the issue of armed militias,” Mr. Mamabolo said.

He also noted that efforts on an inclusive peace agreement by the AU High-level Implementation Panel (AUHIP), with support of UNAMID, remain “inconclusive” due to a stalemate between the Government and one of the parties.

“We call upon the Council and those with influence on the parties to stress the importance of a political settlement and desist from bringing more suffering to the very people that they profess to represent,” said Mr. Mamabolo.

Among other issues raised, Mr. Mamabolo said that cooperation between the UN and the Government of Sudan has “noticeably improved” with a more open humanitarian environment and faster approval of movements within Darfur and clearance of visas, except for human rights staff.

UK Statistics Authority Chairman Sir David Norgrove letter to Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson: “On his clear misuse of statistics” (17.09.2017)

NASA Statement: “Why Should Kenyans Trust IEBC with Another Election?” (17.09.2017)

ICJ Kenya Statement on the Petition for the Removal of the Honourable the Chief Justice of the Republic of Kenya to the Judicial Service Commission (16.09.2017)

Opinion: North Korea continue to test missiles, the world needs to react with diplomatic means before someone is hurt!

Yesterday, the North Koreans sent up another rocket to the sky, again the Japanese sent people into shelters and made sure they we’re safe. The rockets could have hit one of their islands. The South Koreans are getting more worried as the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK) and their President Kim Jung-Un continues with missiles and launches. The extensive works and promotions of their arms development should worry.

This is just as the KCNA today issued this news:

Pyongyang, September 16 (KCNA) — Trump announced that they would sell off weapons worth billions of U.S. dollars to south Korea. And he allowed Japan and south Korea to increase the quantity for buying U.S.-made military equipment. Timed to coincide with this, a spokesman for the White House at a press conference said that now is not the time to focus on the dialogue with north Korea. Minju Joson Saturday in a commentary says that Trump’s behavior goes to clearly prove that he has neither will nor ability to defuse tension on the Korean peninsula but he has only merchant-like calculation to use the aggravated situation as a golden opportunity for making money” (KCNA, 16.09.2017).

So the state propaganda is in full-effect. The North Korean are ready to blame everyone else for their activity. Not looking within itself and wondering, if they we’re shooting up less missiles, the United Nations Security Council wouldn’t have reasons for sanctioning it. Neither would United States has to sell and help Japan and South Korea with missiles defense like THAAD System.

The acts of North Korea is the reasons for the tensions, also the words of President Trump. Because he has sounded like warmonger, who is ready to send battleships and make another Korea-War. Since it went so smoothly during the last Korean war. President Donald Trump needs a repeat of that, this time hire his friend Eric Prince and his company to send mercenaries to the Korean Peninsula. That would be nightmare, not only for President Kim Jung-Un, but for all parties in the South East Asia. Nothing good would come out of it.

But North Korea if it shoots down a boat or hit land. Actually kills someone with a missiles, even if it was an exercise and just trying new technology. It might spark something unheard of. As long as life is not lost and the heads of South Korea and Japan, are keeping their cool. The warfare will not start. The loss of life will not happen. But the more you play with fire, the more likely someone is actually going to get burnt. At this rate, its just a matter of time.

President Kim Jung-Un does this to spread to fear and awe. But it is not working outside of North Korea. Even if China is peaceful and want to continue with cordial relationship. Even if South Korean government don’t want war, they still wants their citizens safe without fear of tomorrow, the same can be said by Japanese. The United States are there to support allies, but if they are really hit. Will the US put troops and bigger guns on the ground?

We can hope for dialogue, for debate and for negotiations, so that the North Korean doesn’t continue to shoot. That they hopefully doesn’t suddenly hit Seoul, Tokyo or any other place where millions of innocent people lives. North Koreans can with the right type of hydrogen bomb or other device really do lots of damage and hurt. The world doesn’t want to see that. Just like the rest of the world, this part of the world don’t need a war. No place needs a war. The Korean peninsula needs diplomacy and possible aid. So that the North Koreans and the rest of world can engage in possible solution to the stalemate. As the DPRK President is fearing for livelihood and life. Therefore he is using fear and missiles to get respect. Peace.

Opinion: Expect the Age-Limit bill to be PASSED, because President Museveni needs it!

During an interview, Margaret A. Novicki of Africa Report asked Museveni “What advice would you give to your African colleagues who are resisting movement towards democracy?” (…) “Museveni responded that “I have no sympathy for those who resist democracy. Democracy should not be resisted. Power belongs to the people, not to an individual. Why should you want power for yourself? Who are you? You are a servant of the people. If the people don’t want you, then you go and do other things and they elect whom they want. I have no sympathy for them”(Africa Report July/August 1993).

For everyday that passes, the closer we get to see the Constitutional Amendment of the Article 102 (b) that ushers in the life presidency of Yoweri Kaguta Museveni. To say something else, is a lie and ignorance on the behalf of the republic. The National Resistance Movement have been allowed to demonstrate and have discussions. While the ones trying to have campaigns and rallies has been silenced or detained. The latest victim is the Democratic Party EALA MP Mukasa Mbidde, who was supposed to be a “Good DP”, but still ended behind bars in Fort Portal today.

Well, it would be lie if this isn’t important, as the NRM Youth League, as NRM MP’s are supporting the motion and bill. That they are calling it unjust to have an age-limit on the Presidency, since it affects the whole age-bracket and could possible stop pensioners from running. Which is most likely, since the most people that age use time to give the youth advice, show them how to run a household and tells stories of the past generations. Not like they are running for being councilor’s or MP’s. Unless, they have been cronies who never let go, there are a few of them subjects within the cabinet and in parliament, but very considering the amount of people over 75 in Uganda.

That the bill will come and the pay-day for the Members of Parliament will also come as an affect to the matter. Since NRM and President Museveni is well-known to give a bonus suit, car or even foreign trips to his loyal cronies. This will happen again. That the MP’s are trading away their loyalty and the republic doesn’t matter. They become wealthy by a single vote and get a small fortunes pocket within no-time. They can pay-off debt and even get an extra maid.

So when even talks of Private Initiatives to pay the MP’s not to vote for the abolishment. It says a lot of the state of affairs. Since they already has enough perks, high salaries, no tax on it and all the remuneration together with allowances as well. The MP’s as long as they are working inside the Parliament should earn more than enough. Alas, they want some more to do the President a favor, giving him the state for life. Delivering it on a silver platter.

If the MP’s and the NRM does this, they are giving way for the President so he can possible be President until his been there for 40 years. No he is on his 31 year. He has farms and businesses, his presidency is involved in any part of government and there isn’t anything soon that is enacted or sanctioned without his handshake. Therefore, the bill to give him life presidency, will be helped by him and as he wanted it to be. Since this was never made for betterment of the state, but for one individual, that being President Museveni.

This sounds far-fetched from the President that was praised by Bill Clinton in the 1990s, the one who spoke as new leader. He has long killed that persona and become the one he wanted get rid-off on the continent. The reasoning for getting rid of Mobutu in the Democratic Republic of Congo, is now himself in Uganda. With mansions and wealth, while the state is stuttering, schools falling apart, lacking medicines and government services in general. So if looking at the state and service delivery, the President doesn’t care. That ship has sailed at least a decade ago, he is just there to be in power and to own the republic. Not to develop or making sure the people are in a safe place. Since his daughters are advised to give birth abroad, not at Mulago. This proves the knowledge of the failing state and the President knows this, because he has run it to make wealth for himself and family. Not creating a welfare state.

The Age Limit, is the total proof of how NRM and Museveni are working for one perspective. For his wealth and rich. The sole candidate and his will. Nothing else. Everything else is well-spent lies and deceptions. If he cared the school buildings in up-country wouldn’t rot and lack windows. The roads wouldn’t be so bad that only boda-boda can pass after the rain. There to many lacking institutions. Because if the institutions and procedures actually worked, they wouldn’t need Museveni and his sanctions. They wouldn’t need his stamp and favors, he has made sure he is the government and the government is him. Therefore, the NRM has to give it another breather, even if it is no-good.

So expect the Age-Limit bill to be enacted and passed as a law. It will happen because President Museveni needs it. Not because Uganda or the republic needs it. Peace.

Ugandans Must Reject All Retrogressive Amendments to Our Constitution – A Statement by Leaders of Civil Society to Fellow Ugandans (16.09.2017)

Opinion: Boris Johnson shows his ‘Alternative Reality’ concerning Brexit!

Boris Johnson, the writer, the journalist and who turned politician. The now Foreign Secretary of United Kingdom in the Conservative-Democratic Unionist Party (Tories-DUP) Government. Clearly, he has his own marbles and his own vision. As it sparkles on the night sky like stars. He thinks it shines and is the reason for light hitting mother earth, not that the light is the reflection and sun-light shining on the stars and moons to reflect back on mother earth. It is the same way I feel while reading the The Daily Telegraph, the article he written in prospects of gaining support for his vision.

Boris Johnson or from now on Bojo, has his own vision, certainly not one of a kind. This article could have been written by any maverick inside the United Kingdom Independence Party (UKIP). The only thing making it difference isn’t the nationalist stance, but more on the economic foundation and self belief, that the EU negotiations will benefit the UK. He has to believe it, since his career needs it. Bojo are clearly trying to sell a story and tries to deflect. Even with lies and submission of “we will fix it in the end, please trust us”.

Bojo words speaks best for themselves, but if Europeans had any hope of a deep insights to the negotiations or understanding of the Tories policy considering Brexit. There is no insights that we didn’t know. Because the UK thinks they can walk-away without any hurt or damage. That the future will be better and without any deep consequence, therefore, another world of alternative reality. Nearly like a Tories fan-fiction. Fixated in the ideals of leaving, breathing and winning, without any actions and any consequences.

If we had been asked to design the EU ourselves with a blank sheet of paper we would have nothing like the body that exists today. We tried so often to frustrate it. I was there at the Antibes ecofin when British officials made a gallant attempt to strangle the euro at birth with a project called the hard ecu. I was there when they ambushed Margaret Thatcher at the Rome summit with conclusions that the British thought had been explicitly rejected. I remember how we kept trying to stop this or that – we rejected the very notion of political union; we tried to stop the expansion of majority voting. And I remember the mantra of EU officials – Britain objects, Britain protests – but in the end she always signs up” (Johnson, 2017).

We are not going to dismantle the corpus of EU law on exit. On the contrary the objective of the repeal bill is to incorporate it. Our systems of standards will remain absolutely flush with the rest of the EU. We would not expect to pay for access to their markets any more than they would expect to pay for access to ours. And yes – once we have settled our accounts, we will take back control of roughly 350m per week. It would be a fine thing as many of us have pointed out if a lot of that money went on the NHS, provided we use that cash injection to modernise and make the most of new technology” (Johnson, 2017).

If we organise, if we plan, if we build the homes and the infrastructure we need, if we give our young people the skills and the confidence that they could so easily acquire – then we can also ensure that this country is not just the place where everyone wants to come and live – but the place with the highest standard of living, with the per capita GDP, the productivity and the quality of life that we deserve. That means insisting on a culture that is pro-business and pro-enterprise, but one that is so dynamic that fat cats can no longer sit unpunished in their jobs when they let everyone down” (Johnson, 2017).

It is like he expected the EU only to benefit the UK. Not like it was a genuine partnership between all Member States. Some laws and regulations are made to fit more the Netherlands, other fixed for Spain. This is how agreements are being built. Just like UK has gotten specialized grants for agriculture, roads and other projects in Wales. Not because the Polish or Germans wants to pay directly for the development of Cardiff or Swansea, but they do, as a part of the EU. It’s like the whole article tried to forget that part and forget the lost funding of Universities and Colleges by EU grants and funds. But, hey the UK don’t need that.

Than he had to reveal a lie, a fixed number to sound brash, a loud and high voiced 350 million pounds a week. Not like the sums that it cost for trading, being a member and also single market opportunity has its advantages, that is why the Tories are positive for staying it and not wanting to leave that part of the union. As part of the free-trade paradigm. Because the British knows they need to trade with the EU and their Financial Institutions are benefiting from it. That he has to use an artificial high number to say, we get wealthy if we leave and can spend it on the sick. Is just playing pitiful politics with businesses and livelihood. Not that he has a single solution or program to fix the ceasing of dozens bilateral agreements. That is something David Davis and other knuckleheads can fix.

So as the months are going, he suddenly says actually “If we plan….” like they shouldn’t have had a plan before the vote or withdrawal, before the announcement and letter delivered to the European Union. It shows the disregard of the public and the businesses. That the Tories had no plan, David Cameron, never wanted to leave and therefore fled the post as Prime Minister. So the Tories-DUP, initially has to plan, since the haven’t done that already. Their own Foreign Minister is stating that on the 16th September 2017, that if they plan… If they plan.

Just consider that for a moment and think of the time since the letter was sent to European Commission, even further back to the Brexit Election. Clearly, if they plan, they might not get to hurt or to bad of a deal with the EU. Not like it is giving the public hope of their negotiations tactics or framework. Since they still at the planning stage. Peace.

Reference:

Boris Johnson – ‘How Brexit Britain will triumph’ (16.09.2017) – Facebook Article/Daily Telegraph

CNARED-GIRITEKA: Declaration Relative aux Massacres des Refugies Burundais en RDC (16.09.2017)