My letter to Kalonzo: “Are you planning to change alliance again?”

Dear Stephen Kalonzo-Musyoka!

You are the Wiper Democratic Movement (WDM) leader and a National Super Alliance (NASA) Flag-bearer, the initial Deputy of Raila Odinga. Who you we’re supposed to be sworn-in as People’s Deputy President at Uhuru Park on the 30th January. Something happen to you Kalonzo, I don’t know what, if you got the jitters and the stay-home syndrome. Certainly, something that cause defects and issues with your loyal allies.

On the 31th January, there was an incident of a stun-grenade, but then on the 3rd February it became a bomb in the compound of yours. There has also been some reports of bullets. But I don’t know how to believe, since it is fitting the paradigm of arresting a fellow NASA MP and also create fuzz around you. It was just so fitting that the Police did this and made an investigation. While you didn’t go to your own swearing-in with Baba.

So it is hard to know what goes through his mind, as his also spelling out comments attacking Baba and Swearing-In, while the other day saying that he will do it after consultations. Therefore, his leadership styles is finding the softest way to be in the opposition and be on the top. Without trying to make it cost or feel the pay of actually being part of organization. That is why he was bitching seconds after the swearing-in that he had lost the security detail.

That was because CS Fred Matiangi had criminalized the NASA on the 31st January. So it is not like Kalonzo is now a legal leader, not if the Order from the state is official. The reason for all the arrests and the all attacks on the judiciary. Therefore, so many other NASA MPs losing privileges and other positive measures as they we’re part of the political elite. He is a former Minister under Moi and Kibaki, also a founding member of Orange Democratic Movement. So he has followed that after falling out with Kenyatta and Ruto as the talks of 2012 went wrong.

Because you Kalonzo has in the past jumped between KANU, Liberal Democratic Party and the NARC Coalition of Kibaki. So he has shown disloyalty to gain popularity and get leadership roles in all his career. So, you have been a MP and leader who has joined and shifted camp after who you have benefited from. That you have been in both CORD and NASA this long is special for being you. That Wiper Democratic Movement has been part of Odinga’s coalition is a miracle. Since you have in the past jumped ship, especially since you we’re able to find the most popular and biggest leader.

Now you have fallen twice and haven’t won. You haven’t gotten the fair piece of the trick. You have risked it all on Odinga and he hasn’t delivered. Therefore, you have started to be unsure and weak, because you have been a MP for years and also Minister under Moi and Kibaki. That is why you went from being part of ODM to suddenly becoming VP for Kibaki, because you couldn’t block Odinga back then. That was all in 2007 and that is only a decade ago.

So if he would change alliance or trying to find a way out of this and not pay the price of being in resistance against the government. That would seem possible, since you are distancing yourself from the alliance and making yourself a target for the Kamba Youth and also Kenyans in general. Kalonzo, you could have been part of a historical effort to stop the impunity and injustice made Jubilee. Instead your trading your cards for uncertainty. Unless you already traded it by secret offerings with Jubilee, like the ones Thirdway Alliance did to get cars before the October 26th 2017?

Is that what your up to?

Do you think you can go away from Odinga a second time and to prepare for 2022. Think people will forgive you for your disloyalty and your weak response, while people protesting are eating tear-gas and getting beaten by the police.

Kalonzo, what is your plan is it to leave Odinga and join in with Ruto and Kenyatta? What is your move, since you seem like a lost dog and someone who doesn’t know how to carry themselves?

Kalonzo, I would wish you would shown loyalty, but you have changed sides in the past and records usually doesn’t lie. Peace.

Maldives: “Joint Opposition Statement: The Joint Opposition Requests the UN Secretary General to Mediate in All- Party Talks” (15.02.2018)

15 February, Male’: The Joint Opposition has requested the United Nations Secretary-General to initiate and act as mediator for all-party dialogue in the Maldives.

The Joint Opposition’s request follows a statement by the UN Secretary-General on 2 February, reiterating the United Nations’ offer to facilitate all-party dialogue.

In a letter sent to the Secretary-General this week, the Joint Opposition, while welcoming dialogue in principle, expressed concern that the Government’s call for talks is an attempt to ease international condemnation over its recent actions.

The Joint Opposition is also concerned that the appeal for dialogue is a cynical attempt by the President to buy time in order to consolidate his illegal grip on the State — a tactic the President has employed before.

The Joint Opposition believes that only internationally mediated and guaranteed talks are acceptable. The Joint Opposition believes that for meaningful talks to take place, the Yameen administration must halt its full-scale assault on democracy, the rule of law, and the Constitution.

In its letter, the Joint Opposition urged the UN Secretary-General to urge the Government of Maldives to create an acceptable environment for dialogue. In order to create a conducive environment, the Government of Maldives must:

● Immediately and fully implement the Supreme Court ruling of 1 February, and release the political prisoners;
● Release the Chief Justice Abdulla Saeed and Supreme Court Justice Ali Hameed;
● Release President Maumoon Abdul Gayoom, MP Faris Maumoon, MP Abdulla Sinan, MP Ilham Ahmed, and their families, including Mohamed Nadheem and Siyad Qasim, and all others detained following the purge on the opposition;
● withdraw the military from Parliament, and allow the opening and full functioning of the Parliament.

On 14 February, President Yameen stepped up his assault on the democratic institutions of the Maldives, by ordering the military to seal off the parliament to prevent MPs from entering.

Five opposition MPs were physically removed from the parliament compound by the armed forces, who were acting on President Yameen’s orders.

Joint Opposition appeals to the international community to use all means available to peacefully resolve the crisis and hold President Yameen accountable to Maldives commitments under international law. Past two weeks is a strong reminder of the regime’s blatant refusal to respect Maldives Constitution and international law and that the government will not relinquish power at any cost.

South Sudan: Civil Society Delegates – “Citizen’s Appeal for Peace at the High-Level Revitalization Forum” (15.02.2018)

Rwanda Defence Force: “Request for EJVM Verification of DRC Troops Violation on Rwandan Territory” (14.02.2018)

Ethiopia: The sudden resignation of PM Hailemariam Desalegn, opens up the question for – “Who becomes the next PM?”

Just as the Zone 9, journalist Esikinder Nega and Oromo Federal Congress leader Bekele Gerba has finally been released from prison. Just as this is happening and the three day shutdown of Oromia. As the dozens of political prisoners are still lingering in jail and the TPLF infused government under Ethiopian People’s Revolutionary Democratic Front (EPRDF) Prime Minister Hailemariam Desalegn resigned on national TV today.

We can wonder what is happening and what is the motivation for the change, since the TPLF and the EPRDF under Meles Zenawi was relentless and oppressive, it has been so under this PM too. No denying that and therefore, the civil unrest, that even led to the State of Emergency last year. With all the arrests, detentions and illegal activity from the state to control the regions, where the people are rising up against the minority government in Addis Ababa.

That the Aghazi Squad and the military offensive in the regions hasn’t hurt the drive to demonstrate. Shows the encouragement and the tiredness of the Central Government. That they have taken it too far over time and not been servicing the area. Which is why the roadblocks and closing the delivery of produce to Addis Ababa has hurt the bottom-line for the regime.

I am starting to wonder who will follow the PM and get both his position, but also the chairmanship of TPLF. Because both are important leadership roles in Ethiopia. We can wonder what sort of negotiations and ambition, which is within the Executive Committee of the EPRDF and TPLF. Also, who wants to come from the Central Committee as well.

Seyoum Mesfin might have his ideas, but the bridges are burning, while the Oromo and Amhara protests are bearing fruits. They are hurting the Central Government and their leverage. They cannot just punish and pursuit violence to silence them. The protests and closing of business, the roadblocks and the University uprisings shows the government who are in charge. This is something they cannot deny.

However, I wonder who will take charge and become the next leader. Since PM Hailemariam Desalegn has now suddenly stepped down. We can wonder who pulls the strings and why it happens now after three excessive days of demonstrations and big political prisoners freed. This is all good news, but how good. What is the next move and when will the thousands of prisoners become free from the shacles they are in?

We have to ask and wonder. It is important and proves the power of the Oromia province and Amhara, as they have used their protest to show Addis that they matter. In addition, they do. No one can say otherwise. Demeke Mekonnen Hassen are expected to follow him, but that is surely depending on the CC and EC decisions in the coming days. Also, Michael-Gerbe Debretson, who also possible take his place, even if the odds are bigger on Demeke, then on Michael-Gebre.

So who knows, it is just speculations, but there will be changes and we can wonder how different the new leadership will be compared to the old. Will it be positive reforms or even more oppressive? Will the TPLF listen to other voices or will they be behind the barricades throwing grenades?

We can wonder, but we do know that the PM is important for how the leadership will act towards its citizens. We have seen the change from Zenawi to Hailemariam. It hasn’t been the same, therefore, the next one will be vital for either more protest or more reforms. Peace.

Kenya: Court Ruling on the Deportation of Canadian Citizen Mr. Miguna Miguna (15.02.2018)