Russian Probe: Matlock denied, sorry I meant Manafort!

Sometimes I tell what I know…. and sometimes I don’t”Ben Matlock

Well, Mr. Matlock, 007 or Paul Manafort, the previous campaign manager for the Trump Campaign during 2016. Whose been indicted by the Special Counsel Robert Mueller. He and his attorneys has recently filed a complaint to the Courts, which was denied today. They we’re claiming the scope and the mandate of the Special Counsel was to free, he was overstepping and also not investigating within his jurisdiction. Today that got dismissed in court by the order of Judge Amy Berman Jackson.

What is striking is this defense of the Special Counsel against Manafort:

The gravamen of Manafort’s motion is his contention that the Special Counsel has embarked on an unfettered and unsupervised investigation, and that the inquiry should have been cabined by a specific factual statement delivered by the Acting Attorney General at the outset. But the Acting Attorney General has stated publicly in sworn testimony that he did discuss the facts under investigation with the Special Counsel at the time of the appointment. Testimony of Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein, House Committee on the Judiciary, Hearing on Justice Department’s Investigation of Russia’s Interference in the 2016 Presidential Election (Dec. 13, 2017), Ex. B to Gov’t Opp. [Dkt. # 244-2] at 29. The notion that this formal passing of the baton included an investigation into Manafort is borne out by the fact that the FBI was taking significant investigative steps related to Manafort within a very short period of time after the Special Counsel was appointed” (Crim. Action No. 17-0201-01 (ABJ).

So it was not like there was some investigation of Manafort already, just like they knew about certain things about Carter Paige and Gen. Michael Flynn. Who both was monitored by the Security Agencies and Intelligence Agencies in United States. Not like they didn’t have information on them, as the state had allowed several times to follow and wire-tap Paige. That means, they could collect more information on his informal and direct connections. All of this means, that everyone in and around Trump could have given information. Vital ones that the CIA and FBI already knows about. That we have no idea about yet. But will be dropped publicly with time.

Manafort and his business with Russian Oligarchs and Ukrainians, will be addressed, the connections, the financial disputes and the possible money-laundering, will be put in place. Not just what that has been written in Court documents already. Because that is the only solutions and possible leaks there are from the Mueller Probe. Which shows how professional and sincere his drive is. Even as Paul Ryan and Devin Nunes trying to undermine his efforts, and the whole Department of Justice. Since they are waterboys for the President. Who doesn’t comply to rule of law, since they are sitting in Congress and currently the leader of the Judicial Committee, even as Nunes Committee have early stopped their investigation. While Mueller continues to follow the suspects and leads in the case.

It is like the whole Republican Party knows they are into something shady, but has tried to undermined it all along, together with the Conservative Media. Instead of thinking of the implications and possible breaches of their own sovereign state, that Kremlin and their agents can play them like pawns on the Chess-set. If the ones behind Iron-Curtain knew it would be this easy, they wouldn’t have spent so much on the arms-race in the past. Just kidding, but you get my gist.

Also maybe, Manafort should take a hike, since his buddy buddy Richard Gates has pleaded guilty, therefore, whatever Gates knew about Manafort business and transactions, Mueller already knows. That is why Manafort should not fight, but also consider his place. As Manafort has the papers and the dots to connect his activity, he wondered, he could just ask Gates. Who because of his agreement would kiss and tell. Therefore, no worry buddy, Mueller already knows!

What we learned today, is that the scope of Mueller is free and monitored by Rod Rosenstein, the Deputy Attorney General. Therefore, he can follow the evidence and make cases as he sees fit. The Special Counsel has followed the orders and also his mandate, the jurisdiction is there. Therefore, Matlock was dismissed. Peace.

The World Bank commends the rising taxes in Uganda!

Yep, the biggest bank and the Bretton Woods Organization called the World Bank has commended the works of President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni and his plans for added taxes. That comes from the similar institution like International Monetary Fund, that ordered Uganda to follow the Structural Adjustment Plan (SAP), therefore, the IMF that fixed more privatization without lacking investments. Are now okaying a higher rising taxes on the Republic’s citizens. This is done, while the economy is not strengthen, but with added external and internal loans. Therefore, the rise of GDP and use of loans, as well as repayments on those loans will sooner or later hurt the economy. Even with the rise of taxes. This will be start of vicious cycle where the state is issuing loans and taxes, while the revenue is used to repay loans, not development. It is basically. But before I go into the deep of the part of the troubling take from the World Bank. Let me just show you quickly the result of the SAP and their advice there.

The studies also make it clear that for SAP-type policies to have a chance of success, certain preconditions are necessary. The public sector had certain social responsibilities that the current framework has pushed it out of but without “a proper handing over” to the private sector. The assumption and hope were that the market would fill the gap left by the retreating state. Clearly this has not happened. There is therefore need for Government either to retain certain key social sectors, or only hand them over to the private sector only when the latter is ready to effectively take them over. Clearly non-profit making aspects of social responsibility cannot and do not get taken over by the private sector. For poverty to be reduced there are certain social responsibilities or even whole sectors that can only effectively be handled by the public sector. Welfare systems and subsidies to farmers in the developed world attest to the need for the retention of these key areas by the public sector. Therefore a policy that proscribes such a hand-over must also ensure that it is done in a verifiable manner so that the private sector can be held to account. Civil society has in the past tried to fill the gap but this has been done in an ad hoc manner” (Kevin Akoyi Makokha – ‘STRUCTURAL ADJUSTMENT PARTICIPATORY REVIEW INITIATIVE (SAPRI) – UGANDA COUNTRY REPORT: A synthesis of the Four SAPRI Studies’ September 2001).

So, when the last system from the World Bank and IMF was introduced the system and the government wasn’t ready to privatize, however, that didn’t stop them or the government to do so. Especially since the funds and loans at the time came with the hitch of doing so. Therefore, the troubles with the privatization and the lacking oversight is also partly because of these programs subsidized by these organizations. That is why the World Bank and IMF should be more careful professing what sort of thing would be genuine and sincere, since they have messed up before. It isn’t only the State House who has messed up, he has gotten help and followed the procedures of these mechanisms. If not, he wouldn’t be able to eat such vast amounts of donor funding in the past. This is well-known, but the lack of oversight, is because of the will of wanting to have control and a say in everything. That is why the letter from the President to Minister of Finance, is the reason for the new levied taxes. So, if you wonder why I have distrust to the World Bank and IMF, it is because of their history and that the public is paying for it, because their impact on the governments for the reasons. That these states should be guinea-pigs for the economy belief of trickling down economics, even as the results has begged differ if it really drips back into the system again. Which it doesn’t because the ones that gets a lot want to keep it and get some more. No dole it out to anyone they can find.

Here is what the World Bank stated today: “In the special section of the Update, the report analyses how Uganda could raise more domestic revenues to support its development. Uganda’s tax system is one of the most modern in the region, but revenue collections, at 14 percent of GDP, are low, and way below its tax potential. Tax avoidance and evasion, partly resulting from generous tax exemptions to investors, weak tax administration, and a large informal sector (now at 80 percent), pose challenges to increasing revenues. Up to 5 percent of GDP is lost annually in tax leakages. Personal income tax contributes roughly 18 percent of GDP compared to up to 40 percent in developed countries. VAT collections amount to 4 percent of GDP, but would rise to 6 percent if there were no exemptions. The report suggests that Uganda could widen its tax base by tapping into areas that are outside the tax net; applying tax instruments correctly and fairly; improving efficiency, transparency and accountability in tax administration; and delivering better public services” (World Bank – ‘Improving Taxation to Finance Uganda’s Development’ 15.05.2018).

Therefore, the World Bank likes the idea of adding more tax on the Mobile Money transactions and the movement of digital cash, as well as on Airtime and other needed things. The ones that hasn’t a bank-account or the ability to fund or even try to get a loans from the banking system. Are okayed by the World Bank as possible targets for taxes. This isn’t transparent, but making it more expensive to be poor, as the rates to transmit and the use mobile money will come. The companies whose use this method will bill the users, they will not take the hit. The same with all the traders and the importers of all the other items that was on the lists of the newly taxed items.

I doubt these new taxes will do any good, it will just be more funds for the elites, the NRM and the President to eat. They are not delivering government services with the trillions of shillings they are using now. They are billing up to their asses and spending rampant, without having the revenue. That is why the rising debts are there. Instead of living frugal and thinking of the future, the NRM and President Museveni are eating like there is no tomorrow!

State House, the President and the Cabinet are eating heavy, they are not delivering, they have no plans to do so. If so, they give locally when needed, but the lack of transparency and accountability, is the reason for missing funds. Recently even the documents from the GAVI Funds was taken from the Ministry of Health. Therefore, a government who cannot be trusted with funds giving donations to help the sick, how can we believe the tax put on Mobile Money will go to roads or teachers?

I doubt that, I am not that naive, this NRM has proven for 32 years, that they are eating and not caring. The World Bank can commend and praise. While I condemn, until they prove that they money are delivered to the schools, that the teachers have their salaries and the civil servants are properly paid. Not just hiring some random Cubans to fix the issues for a short time. That is not how to build a national health care system. That is how to mock the ones you already have. Peace.

South Sudan: SPLM-IO – “Meeting of Comrade Dr. Riek Machar with IGAD Council of Ministers Delegation” (15.05.2018)

Opinion: Expect Nelson Chamisa to be crucified!

Let me be clear, the rally and the race for the Presidency has begun, all parties are having rallies and the biggest contenders are the ruling regime Zimbabwe African National Union – Patriotic Front (Zanu-PF) with their incumbent President Emmerson Mnangagwa, he will use all tricks, all of the state machinery and not do anything in that regard. If he blows the budget, misuse government institutions and resources, that is to be expected. Already, the media are in favour of the state machinery and the state party line. That being that they praise anything and everything Mnangagwa does.

However, the main contender Nelson Chamisa of the Movement for Democratic Change – Alliance (MDC-A). is under cross-fire every single day. Not that is doing anything wrong, he might slip up and that will be taken advantage of. Trust me, he is the least candidate in the race that can do anything wrong. He will be under so much fire and scruitiny, that you would think he created a world-war and a major crisis. If Mnangagwa did the same, they will be silent about it or not even make much fuzz. That is because the Chamisa program and stances are in sharp contrast to whatever Zanu-PF stands for at this point.

Zanu-PF already proclaimed their war-chest, their massive PR show and campaign rallies, they are ready to go all guns salute, even when they are not interested in changing electoral laws, since that will make it easier for them to win. All of the Electoral Commission are appointed by the man and directly controlled, so the results could be managed in their favour. Therefore, it is far from a level playing field in this race. None of the 100 other candidates got anything in significant resemblance of the Zanu-PF. That the MDC-A/T has a big organization and a massive standing in the public is visible. However, they don’t have the state behind them and neither the resources to compete.

Chamisa might have the swagger, the strength and resilience to compete, but he will be under-fire for every single word he utters. He cannot say anything wrong or be close to be misunderstood by anyone. Mnangagwa can sleepwalk, be dizzy and even mumble rap like Future on stage, and still be praised by state friendly media houses. Nevertheless, if Chamisa did the same, they would say he needed to go to the hospital and get a mental exam. That is just the way it is.

This will be unfriendly, the Op-Eds will crucify Chamisa and the MDC. They will tarnish him, they will look through his history and pin-point all the past mistakes, ex-girlfriends and his missteps against Tsvangirai if they have too. As long as the purpose, is to make Mnangagwa the king and the holy of the holiest. Chamisa will be the ugly duckling, the mockery of the Republic and the insane drunk uncle, which you don’t want to invite to your party.

Therefore, expect madness, expect a headache and nonsense in Formula One speed. There will be no redemption, there will be no mercy. Only the Zanu-PF way and nothing else, if so Gen. Chiwenga will order his troops and they will ask you to salute to His Excellency. They will not beg for it, they will take it. Peace.

South Sudan United Front/Army (SSUF/A): “Re: Attacks on Raja or Elsewhere in South Sudan” (14.05.2018)

Somalia: Puntland – Statement on the Unproven Acts of Aggression of Somaliland (15.05.2018)

United Nations Humanitarian Chief calls for more aid to 7.1 million vulnerable people in Sudan (14.05.2018)

Burundi: Association pour la Defense des Droits des Victimes et Familles des Vicimes du Mouvement Insurrectionnel le 26 Avril 2015, AVMI26 – Open Letter “Subject: Your position towards the planned referendum of 17 May 2018 in Burundi” (13.05.2018)

Barangay and SK Election: Final Update before the polls!

There been reports of violence, killings and even arrests as the public are preparing to go the polls. After my calculations over 20 people have died in incidents connected with the elections. Therefore, the elections has already cost lives, which shouldn’t be necessary, in the Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Elections of 2018 or in election for that matter! 

Let’s hope the added military and police in the streets will make it peaceful, also the ban of fire-arms and alcohol can secure all of it. That the public holiday the election day can be plus. Even as the possible pay-offs on Saturday and Sunday, may sway voters in their directions, as the incumbents and others are trying to secure their post for this term. Let’s hope people go for the ones, who is less corrupt and the ones with integrity, even as the posts are paying little. However, it is a elected public office, so your not supposed to take that for wealth, but for will of serving the community. Even in the smallest office as a captain and councilors at the local Barangay. Your not supposed to enrich yourself or your clan. You are supposed to serve the community. 

Let’s hope and pray for peaceful affairs and not more loss of lives. This is small local positions, this is not an election for the Parliament, like the Representatives and Senators even. These are the position in the local council and local government levels. Therefore, lets hope the candidates, the local security officials and that the volunteers trained by the COMELEC are ready for the elections. Make them as fair as possible, and that they make sure that, this a credible election. Even as there are some irregularities that I have mentioned in a previous post. But let’s still be hopeful.

We can hope and live in these days, that the Security Officials and that the ones contesting are acting within reason, as well as the polling staff will act according to protocol and not rig it. There will always be some who wants to take advantage of a situation, but that doesn’t mean everyone. Like there are reports from various provinces that the Barangay’s haven been frenetically candidates buying votes. Therefore, this may sway the electorate to one direction from another. As well as in certain Barangay’s there are many unopposed, meaning they will go straight back to office without any real contest. These are the bad signs connected with the sad deaths. However, not all are, so let’s still be a bit hopeful. 

But let’s hope for peaceful election day, let’s pray for safety of all people and also, for a credible affair, where the best candidates wins. Peace.

Opinion: The NASA Co-Principals needs a new direction!

The National Super Alliance (NASA), the leadership of it needs to find their way, as Raila Odinga and the Orange Democratic Alliance (ODM) has moved on. That is apparent after the famous handshake. A handshake that has shaken the opposition, the building of bridges has clearly put the trio under Odinga in the midst of a river, they are all on a raft and wondering to which side to go to.

This being Moses Wetangula, Stephen Kalonozo Musyoka and Musalia Mudavadi, all of them and their parties are in the shadow, their relevance is lacking. Governors and other public officials has a bigger and vital role. All of these ditched Odinga at one point, so this was his ultimate revenge. However, the interview on KTN’s Checkpoint, Wetangula has shown that he is displeased and bitching about the situation. He is lost in the wind, the merger of his party with Mudavadi will not be the solution. Parts of him knows that, also Kalonzo Musyoka has tried to rename his party, but without any significant change.

Their role in post-handshake times are dwindling, they are league of leaders without a role, without a purpose and without place to call their own. They are opposition to Jubilee, but no one is giving them a handout. That is what these three expected. They expected to live under wings of Odinga and ODM supported NASA. That is why they followed from CORD to NASA. But they didn’t anticipate that Odinga would find another way out. He ditched them after they betrayed him. Therefore, the bitching done today at Checkpoint, just makes Wetangula looking foolish. He should man up and find his way.

Now, they are on the raft in the midst of the river, the waves are strong, but they can still go either way. They can either become total hostile against the government and be pure opposition. If not they can try negotiate their role as well. I think more the latter, since these gentlemen didn’t want to go into the line of fire in January 2018. They didn’t want to or believed in the Swearing-In, that is why none of them showed up in Uhuru Park. That is why Mudavadi said he didn’t believe in it.

The NASA Co-Principals needs to find their way into shore, they need to show they are leading and true leadership. Instead, as the NASA became a illegal entity after the Swearing-in, they we’re bitching again about losing perks. Now they have the perks, because Odinga and Kenyatta handshake, however, that didn’t give them a role. And why should Odinga help them with that, they didn’t stand by him. Which I have stated before.

It is time for the Co-Principals to decide to pick sides, not blame Odinga. They are at this point because of themselves. They have to find their way, but the way they are acting they will not have any relevance, right now Miguna Miguna means more, as he is consistence with his views and perspectives. Since the Co-Principals have run with the wind and tried to follow the accords of Odinga, but Odinga didn’t leave anything for them in the building bridges project. Therefore, they are now in the river and seriously needs to get to shore. Peace.