United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) Briefing Note on Cameroon (20.11.2018)

The overall 2018 Humanitarian Response Plan for Cameroon requesting $320 million is also underfunded at less than 37 per cent.

GENEVA, Switzerland, November 20, 2018 – With at least 436,000 people currently internally displaced in Cameroon’s South-West and North-West – and in neighbouring departments – due to hostilities between armed groups and security forces, the country remains of urgent humanitarian concern.

Humanitarian presence and response are slowly increasing in the affected areas, with priority given to the South-West region which is the epicentre of the displacement crisis with 246,000 IDPs. OCHA has strengthened its capacity including on access and civil-military coordination, and other UN humanitarian agencies are establishing a presence in the two regions and are responding primarily through NGOs in the affected areas.

However, limited access due to insecurity and lack of funding remain impediments to the scale-up of humanitarian programming.

A special three-months response plan launched at the end of May to address the urgent needs of 160,000 vulnerable people in the South-West and North-West requested US$15 million in funding. But only a $5 million rapid response grant from the Central Emergency Response Fund has been received.

The overall 2018 Humanitarian Response Plan for Cameroon requesting $320 million is also underfunded at less than 37 per cent.

DRC: Is there an escalation of insurgency in the Kivu’s?

In the Democratic Republic of Congo, where the interference and sponsoring of rebellions has been steady in the two recent decades. There are now talks of even more brewing trouble ahead. There been killings of peacekeepers lately, also rising numbers fatalities as well, that has been reported in North Kivu. Wouldn’t be surprised if there was similar numbers compiled on the other province too.

Therefore, the recent spark, the recent trend of wondering if there are something new brewing. Is healthy to ask. There are one force who is new in play, that is the Red-Tabara who only yesterday was reported in killing 18 people in and around Uvira. While the Burundian Forces are following their trail inside the DRC. There is no numbers of how many who is part of the Red-Tabara or their possible camps. Just that they are now also a part of the conflict inside the DRC. There has also been clashes between the FNL (Forces Nationale des Liberation), the rebels of the army. Therefore, the are plenty of obstacles already.

While the Allied Defence Force (ADF) is on a rebranding mission from being a Ugandan Muslim Military Operation, whose trying to invade Uganda. To become a jihadi organization for all of East Africa. The size of their operations is uncertain at this point. These has been steady attacking and killing in Beni. Where they have had massacres and working with other local militias to control the area.

While that is happening, the Uganda People’s Defense Force (UPDF) have deployed a 1000 of their newly trained and recruited LDU to the Uganda-Congolese Border. This is been done as a measure to secure the border. Clearly, also sending a message about the use of the LDU. Who was supposed to be a supportive unit of urban crimes, but now are an extra brigade for a possible warfare in the DRC. That is not a positive a sign. The first report of larger scale deployment was on the 15th October 2018, this might have been an escalation of that. But certainly hits a pattern.

This is proof of movement from two outside forces within the battle-torn and continued warfare in the region. Which seemingly doesn’t have an end. There are also still Mayi-Mayi militias, also Rwandan backed forces within the region too. There is FDLR-FOCA, whose size is uncertain, but bouncing around after a seismic split in 2016. Where in 2018, the DRC Operations of a militia named Mouvement Rwandais pour le Changement Democratique (M.R.C.D) who parts of it came from the FDLR. Who might also be criss-crossing the border region between Burundi/Rwanda and the DRC.

While there is nothing new that there are military movement from Rwanda and Uganda, where there both supply of arms, training and militia men. This being M-23 or other groups who was supported by military supplies from across the border. Therefore, if this would happen again. It wouldn’t be shocking or surprising.

The timing of all of this is perfect again. If it flairs up to extended levels and the government will have to suspend the elections again. So that, the ones running has to post-pone it again. Just in the nick of time to secure more illegal time for Kabila to rule. While so many more lives are taken, just so one man and his cronies can reign supreme.

What is for sure, is that this picture will be materialized and secured with time. What is worrying is the scale and the amount of players involved. As the Burundian forces are now into the mix, the Rwandan with both Ex-Rebels and Militias, who knows what stakes the Ugandan has. Other than adding more forces on the border. All of this is indication of more to come. There will not be silence.

When there is smoke, there is fire. In this instance, I am worried of the escalation and the levels of troops moving. Even as uncertain as it is. Because they have killed peacekeepers, there are foreign supported militias in the Kivu’s and there are tensions in the region. Peace.

Hoima Regional Referal Hospital Director Dr. Peter Mukobi letter to LCI Hoima Muncipality Chairman Mohammed Kyimba: “Request to Provide a Written Explaination on the Allegations Against Hoima RRH” (16.11.2018)

Zimbabwe: Citizens’ Cabinet – Statement on the Proposal of a Foreign Currency Utilisation Monitoring Mechanism (19.11.2018)

RDC: RCD/K-ML – Communique (19.11.2018)

EFF Letter to Pravin Gordhan MP: South African Revenue Service Irregular, Unlawful and Criminal Activities (07.11.2018)

Kenya: MPs Greed is now on Overload!

The world has enough for everyone’s need, but not enough for everyone’s greed.” Mahatma Gandhi

We know something is seriously wrong when the Members of Parliaments are wishing more money, as the Jubilee government have already promised more austerity months away. Not only the raising rate of corruption that was between 2013 to June 2018 had grown by 240%. So the MPs knows this and the misuse of the state reserves. While the growing debt in the same era is happening. Even in the same year, as the IMF has told the Government of Kenya to stop spending. The MPs are planning to grow the spending on themselves and their families. As they are not bitten by austerity, the budget deficit or growth of debt. That shows their ignorance of the economy, which they as MPs are supposed to have oversight over.

Here is the news:

All 416 Members of Parliament, Speakers of both houses and the leaders of majority in both chambers will each be provided with a rent-free house, a government vehicle, an expanded medical cover, travel allowances and an expanded constituency outreach operation, if a new Bill becomes law” (…) “Proposals for better terms for legislators — already among the best-paid in the world with a Sh1.2 million salary — are contained in the Parliamentary Service Bill that is set for debate in the National Assembly tomorrow afternoon” (Mwere, 2018).

It is hard to take these men serious, as they have already a giant salary in the Republic. Especially when they are earning 1,2 million salary. While that isn’t enough for the MPs in a country where half of the Republic’s households are earning less than 10,000 shillings per month. That was reported after a survey published in Standard Media in April 2018. Meaning, these households, which is half of the Republic are earning less than 120,000 shillings per year. That without any benefits or other financial support. Therefore, the MPs are far away from the plights of the ordinary man and the ones struggling.

It is clearly not enough, that the IMF, the added taxes and the strains on the economy, in a republic where people are already earning under a tenth of their representatives. You shouldn’t become a businessman or a hustler. You should become a politician in Kenya. As there is where the money is. These people are eating of the dying carcass, of a failing economy, where people are earning little to nothing. Instead of fixing that economy and ensuring people decent wages, they are complaining while they are gaining more wealth. That is what is insane by this.

That the MPs are wishing more services covered, while they have GIANT salaries that the people of the slums only can dream of. That the Shamba Boys of Up-Country never will be able to touch and feel in their life-time. No, these MPs are forgetting their constituents as they are willing to live even more lavish as the economy have been trashed by them. That is their greed. Peace.

Reference:

David Mwere – ‘MPs push for rent-free houses, bigger tea pots, better bar, five-star chefs’ 19.11.2018 link: https://www.nation.co.ke/news/MPs-push-for-better-terms-of-service-in-new-Bill/1056-4858078-20r4fu/index.html

RDC: “Concerne: Arrive du Candidate President la Republique Martin Fayulu” (19.11.2018)

Somalia: “Re: Bid Rounds, new contracts (PSA) and legacy petroleum contracts – the way forward for the national interest of Somalia” (18.11.2018)

Siv Jensen: Er du som folk flest eller er du en halvgud?

Jeg har selv møtt staten, ansikt til ansikt. Måtte levere inn alle dokumenter, bevis mine rett til både arbeidsledighetstrygd, dagpenger og flere andre etater. Jeg har møtt alle disse kravene ved å levere nødvendige dokumentene. Stått skolerett for staten Norge og bevist hvem jeg er og hva jeg har. Fordi jeg har ikke noe å skjule. Jeg vil følge gjeldene regelverk og deretter få de rettighetene jeg har når jeg trenger det.

Hvorfor skulle jeg være så ærlig? Sikkert fordi jeg er intet, jeg er ingen. Jeg har ingen posisjon, jeg har ingen makt. Jeg er bare et menneske av kjøtt og blod. Jeg er intet som folk beskuer med makt og myndighet. Jeg er ikke noen plass på rangstigen. Jeg er bare til. Det er derfor jeg trenger staten og stå skolerett for den når jeg trenger den som mest. Fordi intet kommer til enn, untatt om du beviser din rett til å få dette.

Derfor er det bedrøvelig at Siv Jensen. Vår Statsminister som alltid snakker om snyltere, om rettferdig behandling og om å være for folk flest. Ikke er som folk flest. Folk flest leverer fra seg dokumenter. Beviser sitt ansvar og viser til saksdokument for å få rettferdig behandling. Vi går igjennom systemer, vi får avslag og jobber mot neste runde mot system. Selv om det er lovteknisk og ikke ser personlige grensesnitt eller hensyn. Når vi møter og lovverk som ikke ser personlig egenhet eller privatlivets grenser.

Hvorfor skal dette da ikke gjelde statsråden? Hva er så spesielt med Siv Jensen? Hvilken halvgud er hun? 

Det er det jeg begynner å lure på. Fordi vi alle andre må bevise. Vi må legge til rette og bevise vår rett. Hvis Jensen er så uskyldig i hyttesaken med John Andersen og Ferd familien. Hvorfor skal du ikke kunne bevise det for almuen?

Eller er Jensen redd for at hun har brutt Stortingets Presidentskap sitt «Gaveveileder for stortingsrepresentantene» av 26 mai 2016. Som sier: «Det selvsagte utgangspunkt er at ingen stortingsrepresentanter må fremme eller tale for en sak i Stortinget mot betaling, eller ta imot kompensasjon eller annen form for belønning eller gave som kan være ment å påvirke dem til å innta et spesielt standpunkt i bestemte saker i Stortinget. Dette kan i ytterste konsekvens være en straffbar handling, jf. korrupsjonsbestemmelsene i straffeloven. Tilliten til representantene kan bli skadelidende dersom det fester seg et inntrykk av at noen lar sine standpunkter bli påvirket av gaver eller andre økonomiske fordeler som blir tilbudt dem. Representantene bør derfor ha en meget bevisst holdning til hvilke fordeler de tar i mot i forbindelse med utøvelsen av stortingsvervet. Det er viktig å være klar over at en gave eller økonomisk fordel kan være uakseptabel å ta imot selv om giveren ikke har gitt gaven i påvirkningsøyemed. Det kan for øvrig være vanskelig å påvise at giveren har en slik hensikt».

Hvis hun har intet å skjule. Intet å bekrefte, at de skatteletter, de verv hun har gitt Andersen ikke har blitt gitt på grunn av gaver som billig brygge, oppusset hytte og rimelig leie av hytten i Oslofjorden. Bare bevis det. Slik jeg har måtte bevise for hver bidige ting jeg måtte gjøre i mitt liv. Som alle andre nordmenn gjør når vi møter staten. Vi beviser våre retter og står der med lua i hånda. I avvente om vi får trygder eller andre goder. Ettersom om vi opprettholder kravene som dere stortingsrepresentanter legger på oss.

Da burde Stortingsrepresentanten Jensen klare å legge frem sine dokumenter og bevise sin mulige uskyld. Siden vi måtte ha gjort det samme. Vi kunne ikke sagt det var en privatsak i møte med myndighetene. Da kunne vi ha glemt å fått hjelp, fått være ektefolk eller kunne bygd uthus. Vi må bevise og dokumentere alt i forhold til sak. Det burde også en stortingsrepresentant klare. Det skulle bare mangle.

Eller er du en halvgud som står over oss folk flest? Peace.