Month: February 2018
USA: DOD General Counsel Castle Letter to Senator Majority Leader McConnell on continued support of military operation with KSA in Yemen (27.02.2018)
Eritrea Ministry of Information Press Statement on Ethiopia: “Repetitive lies cannot bury the truth” (28.02.2018)
Maldives: Dunya Maumoon resigns as the Minister of State for Health (27.02.2018)
Kenya: Press Statement on the Proposed Constitutional Amendment Bill by Hon William Kassait Kamket (28.02.2.018)
RDC: Reaction Officielle de la Republique Democratique du Congo au Communique de Presse de la Republique du Botswana (27.02.2018)
EU’s Draft Withdrawal Agreement solves the Irish problem with borders and trade like today!
The European Union or parts of it the European Commission has made their draft agreement on the withdrawal of United Kingdom as a Member State within the Union. This draft document will say many things, but I will focus on the ones that I see fitting and important. Therefore, this will not be the whole picture, but outtakes. That is see as significant for Europeans and the British as well. Since this will affect the realities of the citizens on the continent, as well as the boundaries it creates.
This document is significant, because it says what the EU expects of it all and puts everything into play. It set standards of what the European Commission and their technocrats wants to ensure. This is so the liabilities and the stakeholders of the Union, will know every single step and manners they perceive as important, which also should matter to the United Kingdom. Because they are the ones that is initially leaving, but it is just the matter of how. With time haven’t become clearer from their part, but more foggy as the shadow-games of the Tories Government isn’t supplying the world with clear communication of what they want or see as their future on the outside.
What is the most important piece of it is the ways the EU are cooperating with the will of the Republic of Ireland and the relationship it needs with Northern Ireland and the UK. Clearly stated in the draft is the provisions, that is clear, that the EU is not set for a hard-Brexit in this concern, as the Irish will have a special conditions and provisions, ensuring that the state of affairs stays as today. They are ensuring that the EU Draft is not in violation of the Good Friday Agreement, which shows the maturity of the EU in this sense. Now people should just worry if the UK government want to alter or change it for their own personal gain or not. Since, this is leaving the Irish problem settled and made sure they get what is needed comparing to old agreements between all parties involved.
“NOTING that Union law has provided a supporting framework to the provisions on Rights, Safeguards and Equality of Opportunity of the 1998 Agreement; UNDERLINING that part or all of this Protocol may cease to apply should a future agreement between the Union and the United Kingdom be agreed which addresses the unique circumstances on the island of Ireland, including by avoiding a hard border and protecting the 1998 Agreement in all its dimensions” (EU, P: 99, 2018).
“The United Kingdom and Ireland may continue to make arrangements between themselves relating to the movement of persons between their territories (the “Common Travel Area”), while fully respecting the rights of natural persons conferred by Union law” (…) “A common regulatory area comprising the Union and the United Kingdom in respect of Northern Ireland is hereby established. The common regulatory area shall constitute an area without internal borders in which the free movement of goods is ensured and North-South cooperation protected in accordance with this Chapter” (EU, P: 100, 2018).
This part of the agreement will hurt the Brexiteers, who want a full breakout of the EU, this will give leeway to a lot of speculations, as the ERG inside the Tories will not accept this sort of arrangement. Even if this is positive news for the EU friendly parts of the Kingdom. However, this should be seen as a victory for Dublin, as well as Belfast. Even if the DUP might not be in favour and they are vital to London these days.
This leaves and follows the agreement made not too long ago and pursuits the same arrangements as today, concerning the needs of Dublin and Belfast. We will see if this will backfire for Theresa May and her unknown project, as the inner-party of Tories is conflicted with itself and the costs of the Brexit. Clearly, the state is unsure and not bringing certainties, the EU on the other hand is showing the steps and has no issues flaunting it. While the Tories has tried to keep this inside the party and not letting anyone now. Therefore, trying to damage control, instead of deciding how to negotiate.
This is showing that the EU want to respect the Good Friday Agreement, the Irish problem of the Brexit and handling it with maturity, however, will do Tories answer with the same or are they stuck with DUP and ERG who wants to make the Brexit even harder. With strong borders and no CTA and specialized Customs Union for the Irish. Time will tell, but this was a breath of fresh air. Peace.
Reference:
European Commission Draft Withdrawal Agreement on the withdrawal of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland from the European Union and the European Atomic Energy Community (28.02.2018)
Ethiopia: New State of Emergency orders are to quell demonstrations by all means in Oromia!
The Ethiopian People’s Revolutionary Defence Force (EPRDF), the coalition government are preparing all kind of actions against the protest that is spreading in Oromia, as there been demonstrations and sit-home protests in Amhara. There it hasn’t been violent, because people been home. However, in Oromia, where the Qeerroo has reacted to the rearrest of their leaders of Oromo Federalist Congress, the continued protest has been answered with violent aghazi squad or the soldiers attacking them.
First I will drop the orders given by the State Owned Media House Fana Broadcasting Company, which in moderate language, are giving all ways to systematic destruction of the Qeerroo in Oromia. Than, the comments, which is important by the Oromo leader, the Presidetn Jawar Mohammed, before the last message on the matter and the evidence of how violent the State of Emergency is in Nekemte, this being reporting given by ESAT. Which all shows the dire problems within Ethiopia, as the EPRDF and the controlling party within the coalition Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF) are using all means, saying they need to use all means. To stop the demonstrations, that as they have sent soldiers to the region, as a occupying force. Taking control of their own population and silence their feet walking in the streets. The walking and running in the streets, combined with hand-gestures are clearly to powerful for the TPLF. That is why they are making it illegal and stopping them by “all necessary measures”. Legalizing violence against own citizens, is what the EPRDF/TPLF.
If that isn’t striking as bad, as a worrying sign and as oppression at the highest grade, then nothing cannot be taken away from the regions that is under-fire by the Woyane regime.
“If these forces do not refrain from their destructive actions immediately, based on the decree and the directives, security forces were ordered by the Command Post to take all the necessary measures against them, it said. Moreover, members of the parliament (MPs) residing in Oromia have been submitting complaints to the Command Post repeatedly stating that these forces have been threatening them and their families by using social media, cell phone and in person. Since this is an anti-democratic and destructive move, the Command Post would not tolerate it, the statement said, adding it would take legal measures against forces who were engaged in this kind of action. The Command Post extended its gratitude to the people in various parts of the country for rallying along security forces and giving their life to protect loss of life and damages to properties. The Command Post finally called on the public to strengthen their all-round supports for the success of the ongoing efforts of the government and security forces to fully restore peace in the country” (FANABC – ‘Command Post orders security forces to take necessary measures against spoilers of peace’ 27.02.2018).
“NOTICE: With the ongoing killings in Western Oromia and today’s open order to the military to shot and kill our people, the country is sliding to dangerous territory. Qeerroo are preparing while awaiting for the parliament to make a decision on either passing or rejecting the state of emergency. We are hearing the regime is threatening MP’s to pass the SOE when it meets on Friday. If in fact the parliament passes this unnecessary and unconstitutional decree, it will be met and reversed with fierce resistance. Therefore, we strongly advice all to postpone their travels to and within Ethiopia from Friday onward until things clear up” (Jawar Mohammed, 27.02.2018).
“One person was killed and 20 others wounded when snipers of the TPLF/Agazi forces indiscriminately shot at protesters in the city of Nekemte, Western Ethiopia. Abebe Mekonnen was shot by sniper fire this morning at the central square of Nekemte a city that has seen renewed protest demonstration against the TPLF regime since last Saturday after leaders of the opposition Oromo Federalist Congress (OFC) were banned from entering to address their supporters. The killing in Nekemte came on the day the regime issued a stern warning through state-controlled media outlets to what it called “anti-peace elements” and ordered security forces to “take all measures necessary” against protesters who defy the state of emergency declared a week ago. The six-month martial law, the second in two years, was declared amid persistent pressure from the public for the release of political prisoners and a call for an end to 27 years of misrule by the TPLF, an oligarchy that solely controls political power and grips economic upperhand” (ESAT, 27.02.2018).
No one should be allowed to order this, to put this in writing and give orders to soldiers, against own citizens and use this force, just because they are tired of the regime who are oppressing them. Therefore, because they are tired of being oppressed, they are getting even more harsher laws to oppress them. Less rights and more directions on how to live and speak less. Spread no information, no rallies, no public gatherings and no communications, which can be seen as a danger to the government. If this isn’t taking away the voices of the people, than nothing is. This is just invading the Oromia and the Amhara, that is both regions used too. The worst is happening right now in Oromia, no doubt. But they use what can against Amhara when they can. Not like they have come there in peace within the last 24 months.
Both of these groups of people, have gotten the ill-treatment from the Woyane, the TPLF and the EPRDF. They have not given any sort of consideration. Seemingly, it seemed to be loosing up when the started to free the political prisoners, but now after the PM resigned. They have turned 360 and back to old games of destruction in the regions where people dare to protest.
I was fearing the worst and already more people are dying because the TPLF/EPRDF want to rule not by consensus, but by total control by any means possible and with any excuse what so ever. Nothing can be untouched by these gentlemen, these leaders who run things from Addis Ababa. They are now occupying regions with soldiers like they are taking foreign soil. They are going into Oromia and Amhara, like they are preparing for war. Instead of reconciliation, the state uses violence to dismiss their own. If that isn’t self-destruction, what is? Peace.
A Monster Museveni Created: The Failing Kayihura Police Force!
Gen. David Sejusa wrote this in a letter on the 7th July of 2014:
“I wonder if Mr Museveni really knows what is going on in his own security institutions, or has he been rendered powerless by the very monster he created, i.e., personalised rule? It is because the officers who give him intelligence are the same arch criminals who need to cover their tracks. With no functioning systems, you wonder what information the head of state depends on to rule the country. Otherwise, how can he not see the danger he is putting the country into and himself? Not that it matters much though, because either way, he, Museveni, is personally responsible” (Gen. David Sejusa letter- ‘LOOMING WAR AND GOVERNMENT COVER UP: Government agents target civilians to scare population’ 07.07.2014).
Inspector General of Police (IGP) Edward Kale Kayihura, again you get on my radar, you are offering bounty for killers of innocent woman, who was dropped on the street like garbage. That is happening after dozens of strange foreign deaths are appearing all over the Republic. There so much weirdness going on, just like the Boda Boda 2010 relations and the Crime Preventers Program. All of this doesn’t add-up.
The sour relationship with Gen. Henry Tumukunde, the Chief of Military Intelligence (CMI) and the problems the police has with the Internal Security Organization (ISO). It’s like the Security Organizations are working not together to sting the criminals, but are trying to incriminate each other. As Muslim Clerical leaders died mysteriously last year, like group of woman in Entebbe too. There been so many strange unsolved crimes that the death of Assistant IGP Andrew Kaweesi seems like detour. Instead of the biggest hit-piece in the recent decade.
Within all of this as the Boda Boda 2010 leaders of Abdallah Kiatta and Paddy Sserunjogi aka Sobi. We can question how the police sanctioned this gang and let it off. And why suddenly it had to fall. Since the Police needed someone to go down and the Tumukunde had to pick someone to teach Kayihura a lesson or two. The striking revelations is how short distance it is from becoming a officer to act a criminal. That is what is worrying and also the signal, the only difference between the police officer and the criminal, is that the officer has the blessing of the state and a badge, the criminal has none. There is supposed to rules to the game, but clearly it is not.
On top of that and ICT scandals, the ICT frauds, that has escalated and became a big-deal, even the ICT Manager Amos Ngabirano fled from the country recently, because of how he was involved and that he feared for his own life. In all of this, the State House, the External Security Organization and the Police are also fighting for how to monitor the mobile money market. This is after who they should assigned the program and who can monitor it, if the its the Uganda Communication Commission, the Police or even the State House. So all of them can use the software to monitor the spending of Ugandans. This is happening, while people are busy seeing the external fights between Tumukunde and Kayihura.
They have even pushed further a New Vision reporter was abducted and gone from the paper for days, this Charles Etukuri, who has had close relationship with Kayihura and nicknamed his “Social Media Manager”. Therefore, this was another assault on the pride of Kayihura, who had seen many of his men taken and his lieutenants.
We can question what is going on, as the crimes are not solved, the bounty on Susan Magara killers proves the lack of mentality to solve the crimes and the lack of honest work within the Police. That is not strange, as the state of affairs isn’t getting better. All of this has happen quickly, as Kayihura has to even beg the Parliament for additional funds, since only 5 % of his operation are getting salaries. They are lacking funds to pay salaries as the police squad has increased and also the equipment of the police has become better. That is not strange as before the General Election of 2016, they got everything from new mambas, tear-gas and more manpower.
To top it all off, the Minister Jeje Odongo, Internal Affairs Minister has told Kayihura to polish the image of the Police. Kinda hard to do that on a little candy and not even paid-in-full. While the structures are even smashed by other security organizations. This is happening while the monitoring of the political parties and the enemies of the state. Not following the criminals and such. They have spent fortunes to follow and monitor the Forum for Democratic Change (FDC). Even more on house-arresting Kizza Besigye over the last two years, even the financial costs of tear-gassing, live-bullets and the misuse of power against political opponents of the President. That has all to cost a fortune, the extra hours and the equipment. Even the famous van and mobile terrorizing place, can be seen as project made out of nothing.
The sudden loss of funds, the lack of budget to an organization blown up to be political and block politicians cost. When they are not serving the people, but the will of man. Who want to beat everyone into submission. Especially the ones he cannot bribe into it.
We you combine all of this factors, I have not even addressed the saga of Crime Preventers, who has been used by the Police and the State during the elections, paid for uniforms and weapons. This together with all the other factors, the training and the constant move of leaders. The strategic forces and questionable work of the police. The sudden Fika Salama campaigns are cool, but the issues are deeper, than just on the surface, that cars are overloaded.
The police force is up-to something and certain things kept quiet about. Even the stories of Gen. Sejusa might have some power in them. As his warnings year back is now coming into light. The darkness and lack of institutions, the lack of oversight and use of gangs to keep things at bay. Are now shown, as much as the police is acting as criminals. Just as the sudden militias that came and went, where police-shootings was appearing in Kapchorwa Police Station attacks with SUN, Gulu Central Police Station with National Democratic Alliance (NDA) and the insurgency of Kirumiramutima in Kasese. All of this had violence and killings involved, but they silently stopped without any resurgent attacks by anyone of them. The government sanctioned violence was the one visible against the Rwenzururu Kingdom, as it was also on these two Police Stations.
We can clearly, see that the vision of Gen. Sejusa has power, as he saw this all coming. It is now visible, the lack of clear leadership, the reckless behavior of IGP Kayihura and Security organizations. That his involved other questionable activity and use of organizations that was beneath and beyond the services supposed to be delivered by the Force. Also the lack of investigations and the lack of actually policing. More of just brash PR stunts and picturesque shows of public display, instead of actually catching the murderous, the ones picked up is quickly released.
All of this madness is connected, the lack of funds, the growing organization, the battle of supremacy between Tumukunde and Kayihura. All of this isn’t a game, but real life at stake, they are all doing all of this because the President wants it like this. They want to use the Security Organizations to make insecurity to fake their own agenda.
This would been a pulp-fiction novel, a quick-fix book you buy at a flea-market. Instead, this is happening right in front of our lives. They are misusing the state funds and violating our intelligence, while they are proud of their craft.
There is to many things missing, the plots and the ideas, the scenarios where this is making the regime winning, other than spreading fear and silence people. If that is the only goal, they are using high-power weapons and expensive monitoring of politicians. While they are using the police to create crime and not actually fight crime. Which is weird in itself. It is visible and vicious!
Kayihura, should wonder and be boggled, he has lack of funds and giant mission, he needs manpower to fulfill the Public Order Management Act and the others things he want to do to serve the President. He is the presidents loyal servant. That he knows, but the actions and the now internal squabble between him and Tumukunde. We can wonder who else will join in and if the Mobile Money, will make the UCC and other go against him too. Who knows at this point, but the words of Sejusa should be with all of us.
The words we should remember today, as the police are in tatters and the public played for fools, we should remember: “I wonder if Mr Museveni really knows what is going on in his own security institutions, or has he been rendered powerless by the very monster he created, i.e., personalised rule?” (Sejusa, 2014).
We should ask if he is powerless because of the monster he created and he made during his rule. If he is able to understand and get into his mind, what sort of violence and policing his has sanctioned. Kayihura and his business has been accepted by the State House for years. The ISO, ESO and CMI, are all organizations that Museveni has created. Not only the UPDF and Special Force Command, who are other groups he has given powers too and training too. They can now fight each other and use methods of state organized violence against innocent citizens and possible troublemakers. However, most likely they will create trouble themselves. These are the monsters Sejusa described, the reckless organizations that will make him powerless. That is why he tries to pull the strings on the Police Force, but is it too late?
Peace.
Security Council press statement on Somalia (27.02.2018)
NEW YORK, United States of America, February 27, 2018 – Security Council press statement on Somalia:
The members of the Security Council condemned in the strongest terms the two terrorist attacks of 23 February 2018 in Mogadishu that killed and injured innocent Somalis.
The members of the Security Council expressed their deep sympathy and condolences to the families of the victims, as well as to the people and Government of Somalia. The members of the Security Council wished a speedy recovery to those injured.
The members of the Security Council commended the swift response of Somalia’s security forces, AMISOM and other first responders. They thanked the African Union and the Government of Somalia for opening an investigation into an incident between AMISOM’s Quick Reaction Force and NISA near the KM4 checkpoint.
The members of the Security Council reaffirmed that terrorism in all its forms and manifestations constitutes one of the most serious threats to international peace and security.
The members of the Security Council underlined the need to bring perpetrators, organizers, financiers and sponsors of these reprehensible acts of terrorism to justice and urged all States, in accordance with their obligations under international law and relevant Security Council resolutions, to cooperate actively with the Government of Somalia and all other relevant authorities in this regard.
The members of the Security Council reiterated that any acts of terrorism are criminal and unjustifiable, regardless of their motivation, wherever, whenever and by whomsoever committed.
The members of the Security Council reaffirmed the need for all States to combat by all means, in accordance with the Charter of the United Nations and other obligations under international law, including international human rights law, international refugee law and international humanitarian law, threats to international peace and security caused by terrorist acts.
The members of the Security Council paid tribute to all Somali and international actors working to bring peace and stability in Somalia. The members of the Security Council reiterated their determination to support peace, stability and development in Somalia. They underlined that neither this nor any other terrorist attack would weaken that determination.