Security Council Press statement – Democratic Republic of the Congo (11.10.2017)

The members of the Security Council expressed their deepest condolences and sympathy to the families of the peacekeepers killed, as well as to the Government of the United Republic of Tanzania, and to MONUSCO.

NEW YORK, United States of America, October 11, 2017 – The members of the Security Council condemned in the strongest terms the attacks perpetrated by the Allied Democratic Forces (ADF) on 9 October 2017 in North Kivu province of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, against a base of the United Nations Organization Stabilization Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (MONUSCO), which led to the death of two peacekeepers from the United Republic of Tanzania, as well as the injury of eighteen other peacekeepers.

The members of the Security Council expressed their deepest condolences and sympathy to the families of the peacekeepers killed, as well as to the Government of the United Republic of Tanzania, and to MONUSCO. They wished the injured peacekeepers a speedy recovery.

The members of the Security Council condemned in the strongest terms all attacks and provocations against MONUSCO by armed groups.

The members of the Security Council called on the Government of the Democratic Republic of the Congo to swiftly investigate these attacks and bring the perpetrators to justice. They called on all armed groups in the country to lay down their weapons and underlined that attacks targeting peacekeepers may constitute war crimes under international law.

The members of the Security Council reiterated their full support for MONUSCO and expressed their deep appreciation to MONUSCO’s troop- and police-contributing countries.

The members of the Security Council reiterated their full support to the Special Representative of the Secretary-General in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Maman Sidikou, and to MONUSCO to fully implement their mandate.

Opinion: The MP’s who support the removal of the Age Limit should fear their constituents!

Some Members of Parliament are in fear following the hostility in their constituents over supporting removal of Age Limit. “I was almost Embarrassed in some of the meetings as people accused me of taking money and trying to change the Constitution” (NBS Television, 10.10.2017).

There have been stories of Members of Parliament that has been chased away, they have been booed during speeches in their constituencies. This is the price they pay against an unfavorable bill, the consultation price with their already steady payment structure. Should worry anyone who cares. They are seeing the real emotions around the proposed change of law.

It isn’t a fairy-tale, it is more like the MPs actually see the real feelings of hardship and they are tired of the central government lies. They cannot stomach it anymore, they have seen it all before and heard it all before. Nothing is new, it is just yet another thing for one-man to rule. Like he is the only one. Certainly somewhere in the villages is a brilliant mind who can rule as well as him or have the mental capacity to get advice and reign. The Commander-in-Chief wasn’t made only for man, even if the National Resistance Movement speak of it like that. That is because President Museveni have learned them that and they comply.

The NRM MPs and the others who eats the 20 millions shillings for the consultation and spend the time discussing the law. Should know there will be answers from the public. Their name will be tarnished and their persona will be put in question. We will all know that they mind and heart is for trade, their soul has vanished into the pockets and guilds of Museveni. They have nothing left to share to planet earth, they are only useful twits for the President.

That is what we will know of the ones who eats the monies and who works favors of the President. They will not be respected, not be honorable, they will be useful props to the existence of Museveni. There will be nothing left of these suits, they are used and ready to be dumped. Just like the ones who abolished the term limit. The same will happen to these, they are just pawns on the table, while the king stays the king.

Will, these MPs actually represent their constituents or will they just represent one-man and his vision? Aye? What say you MPs of the August house on Parliament Avenue in Kampala? Peace.

NASA Statement: “Mr. Raila Odinga’s Withdrawal from Race” (10.10.2017)

IEBC: “Withdrawal by NASA in the Fresh Presidential Election” (10.10.2017)

US. Office of Government Ethics – “Subject: The Role of Agency Leaders n Promoting an Ethical Culture” (05.10.2017)

Opinion: Odinga’s withdrawal is a brave step hopefully towards a new beginning!

Raila Odinga and Stephen Kalonzo Musyoka decision to pull out of the Fresh Elections of 26th October 2017. Proves character, proves swagger and belief that the vision of a conducted free and fair elections under the current leadership of the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission. Who is preparing just about a similar election as the one made on the 8th August 2017. There is lacking or no proof of any significant change after the annulment of the previous enterprise. Just a few mere small changes, that could be seen as insignificant by anyone.

Then also has the Jubilee Administration together with the IEBC undermined the efforts of changing the organization and the electoral body. It is insane to use the same companies to service the same sort of arrangement and believe that results be different. The lack of transparency and accountability for the missteps of August is proven. Instead they been steady pumping without any disregard of the consequences. They have not been listening or even showing any progress. The talks been facade and play for the gallery, as they want to stall for time. So that the National Super Alliance (NASA) would be again put in a corner and again has to petition the elections to the Supreme Court.

Uhuru Kenyatta might celebrate today, even Deputy President William Ruto, but if they do, they are foolish and ignorant to the fact. The mere election of 26th October is another front and not a real election. Since the competition is not there, there we’re two candidates on the ballot and now there are one. Certainly, this should be seen as a slap in the face of the incumbent President. The race towards 26th October has suddenly stopped.

We just have to wait and see if the NASA also writes to notify the IEBC. That is they obliged by law. But the Press Conference and officially withdrawing in public. Should really rattle the cage of the IEBC. Since their plan of same procedure should silence that. That the Jubilee throws shade and says it just continues is foolish. Because its not just to continue as usual.

That IEBC Secretariat has a hard battle to just continue and finish this one. That Chairman Wafula Chebukati and CEO Ezra Chiloba have to decide what they do, since the IEBC has not clean hands. They have to wash them and also find another soap. The soap and the water they are using is far from clean. Therefore, IEBC has to change guards and reform to become trustworthy.

Following the withdrawal of the NASA presidential candidate, the Commission and the legal team are meeting and will communicate way forward” (IEBC, 10.10.2017). We can just wait and see if the IEBC finds their way, if they will just announce Kenyatta or they will re-issue and actually try reform the electoral body.

Now is the time, his bravery is shown and now is the time for IEBC to step up their game. The cards are in play, Kenyatta is not yet the winner and neither is the date of 26th October put in stone. Since the law and the Electoral Codes has to be followed, by those provisions that are there. Peace.

Ethiopia: The Economy is struggling, not a rising lion as previously forecasted!

For as long as I can remember there gone stories of the amazing rise of the Ethiopian economy, the financial markets and the outputs out of this world. Where the money would grow ten-folds within minutes of its arrival. Like a mirage the number’s must have appeared in front of our eyes and stories that, we are told over the recent years. The Ethiopian powerhouse and the serious contender with Nigeria and South Africa. With their railways, banks and development projects, the powerful dam and all the others. It must have been a ride for the Ethiopian People’s Revolutionary Democratic Front (EPRDF), Prime Minister Hailemariam Desalgn, must be so proud of his achievement.

Why I say that, because a booming economy does not do this:

“Ethiopia and World Bank have signed a 1.3 billion dollar grant and loan agreement to enhance equitable services and reduce food insecurity. The agreement was signed by Abraham Tekeste (PhD), minister of Finance & Economic Cooperation (MoFEC) and Carolyn Turk, World Bank’s country director for Ethiopia, Sudan, and South Sudan” (All Africa, 2017).

So when a booming economy, that has such magnificent rates and growth prospects should not and no need for extensive borrowings from the World and subsidiaries, to say they need so is a lie. The debt and the international support for projects and food security is not a sign of a sound and strong economy. More of the latter if I beg to differ. On that, alas the recent weeks has proven this. World Bank was ushered in the end of September, but it is now cash-crunch time.

Not the jolly Captain Crunch, but the credit is due.

“Ethiopia will devalue its currency to attract foreign investment and close the gap in foreign trade, President Mulatu Teshome said at the opening of the bicameral parliament on Monday. He said his government is faced with a serious shortage of hard currency and export trade has dwindled in last three years. Mulatu said major projects like the construction of railway and universities will not be carried out this budget year due to a serious shortage of finances” (ESAT, 2017).

The seriousness is there and it is bleak, when the President Teshome shows up and spread enlightenment to the world. That the economy is fragile and not at its peak, is clear when all the prestige and the giant projects are now put on hold until further notice. Clearly, the financial strains have hit the economy, as well as their exports has given them less hard currency.

It does not go well, when just days ago, when this hit the fan as well:

Double-digit inflation keeps threatening the macroeconomic conditions of the country as the headline inflation rate hit 10.8pc last month, according to the Central Statistical Agency (CSA)- the highest since October 2015. It is in contrary with the target of the government in the second edition of Growth & Transformation Plan (GTP II) to keep inflation in a single digit. The hike in the price of cereals such as teff, maize, wheat, barley, beans and sorghum coupled with holiday-driven price upsurge is the primary reason for the inflationary pressure last month, keeping the food inflation stagnant around 13pc.“As September is a time of multiple holidays, it is believed to influence the increase in the inflation rate,” the report of CSA reads” (Berhane, 2017).

That the cash crunch and the double-digit inflation hits the Republic is not a good look. The proof of the currency value falling, lack of hard currency and new Multi-National loans proves that the Financial Sector and Financial Institutions are strained. There is nothing more to give, it is just bones and not meat. It is just a matter of time before the boiling bones gives no taste to stew as well!

In addition, you the economy is bonkers when their agency spread out this sort of tales, at the time the devalued currency is told to the public on other platforms.

This is from the Ethiopian News Agency:

“The diplomats, who observed the government’s direction at the joint session of the parliaments, whom ENA has talked to also forecasted the country`s economic growth to be amplified in better manner referring the current stability of the nation. Ambassador of Bangladesh to Ethiopia Monirul Islam said the growth that Ethiopia’s economy has witnessed was ‘wonderful’ despite the drought and other problems. “It was 10.9 percent and this year I hope it will be more than that because there is a good rain, everything is good, the state of emergency has been lifted and everything is normal”. “So I think the economy should perform better especially in the agriculture sector as well as in the industry sector”, he pointed out” (ENA, 2017).

I do not know if Ambassador Islam lives in alternative reality or trying to sugarcoat the situation of the dire economic state that the Republic is facing, but it makes good propaganda for the ones who still want the fantastic picture spread around the globe. That the Ethiopian economy is sound and still growing. However, it is hard to grow when you lack currency, you have growing inflation and you are borrowing more funds. I do not know, which economy or financial system that it works splendid in. Certainly not this one.

In addition, the news of the financial rising tiger or lion of Ethiopia has been a mirage, a fraud and play for the world to see. At this stage and in time, it is far from it. The Ethiopian economy is plummeting and at amp speed. If you eat up the crap the ENA serves you, it must certainly serve your kind, but it is not reality. The President even said so, the reports are striking and the added loans proves the dire state.

The ones who is the most hurt. It is the citizens who needs the hard currency to buy food and live, they are punished for the reckless care of the financial system. They are the ones who suffers, because of how the state decided to conduct their affairs. They are the ones who feels the inflation, the rising prices and still has to get by. It is not right, but that is how it is. The Ethiopian government should subsidize and make sure the people get enough. However, do not expect that. This is from the same government that sent Agazi squad to Amhara and Oromia to kill and destroy. They do not care, unless they have too or if it keep them in power. Peace.

Reference:

All Africa – ‘Ethiopia: World Bank Assents U.S.$1.3 Billion Finance to Ethiopia’ (30.09.2017) link: http://allafrica.com/stories/201710090243.html?utm_campaign=allafrica%3Aeditor&utm_medium=social&utm_source=twitter&utm_content=promote%3Aaans%3Aabljpw

Berhane, Samson – ‘Gov’t Sees Double Digit Inflation, Again’ (08.10.2017) link: https://addisfortune.net/articles/govt-sees-double-digit-inflation-again/

ESAT – ‘Ethiopia President Says Country is Broke’ (09.10.2017) link: https://www.tesfanews.net/ethiopias-president-says-country-financial-crisis/

ENA – ‘Diplomats Laud Economic Performance of Ethiopia’ (10.10.2017) link: http://www.ena.gov.et/en/index.php/economy/item/3814-diplomats-laud-economic-performance-of-ethiopia

 

MONUSCO repels deadly attack by suspected ADF in Mamundioma; reinforcements deployed to secure the location (10.10.2017)

The injured peacekeepers have been evacuated to Goma for medical assistance.

KINSHASA, Democratic Republic of Congo, October 10, 2017 – In the early hours of Monday morning, MONUSCO repelled an attack by suspected Allied Democratic Forces (ADF) on a MONUSCO position in Mamundioma, North Kivu province, during which the Mission sustained casualties.

Initial reports suggest two peacekeepers are dead and several are wounded. The injured peacekeepers have been evacuated to Goma for medical assistance.

This follows an attack in the same region earlier on Sunday where presumed ADF ambushed a convoy of civilians on motorbikes on the road between Kamango and Mbau. According to initial reports, up to 20 civilians were killed.

“I strongly condemn these cowardly attacks targeting the civilian population and United Nations peacekeepers in the Beni area”, said the Special Representative of the Secretary-General in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Maman Sidikou.

“This region has seen more than enough violence already, including horrific massacres of innocent civilians. I reiterate to all these armed groups who continue to threaten and kill civilians, MONUSCO will respond, and it will respond strongly”, added Sidikou.

MONUSCO has immediately deployed reinforcements, including a Quick Reaction Force and attack helicopters, to secure the location, ensure freedom of movement for the civilian population as well as protect the nearby villages

Zimbabwe: Press Statement on Ministrial Re-Assignments and New Appointments (09.10.2017)