EP Brexit Steering Group calls on the UK to overcome the deadlock (24.01.2019)

EP Brexit Steering Group discussed today the state of play of Brexit in light of last week’s meaningful vote and Prime Minister May’s Statement last Monday.

It calls on the UK to clarify its position in the coming days.

European Parliament’s Brexit Steering Group under the Chairmanship of its coordinator, Guy VERHOFSTADT (ALDE, BE)welcomed the Government’s decision to waive the fee for EU citizens applying for the UK’s settled status scheme, something the European Parliament has consistently pushed for. It called on the EU Member States to follow this example with respect to all UK citizens residing on their territory.

The BSG stressed that following the rejection by the House of Commons of the Withdrawal Agreement and the Political Declaration, the UK Government must work together with all political parties in the House of Commons to overcome this deadlock. It expects the UK side to come back as quickly as possible with a positive and viable proposal on the way forward.

The BSG reiterated that the Withdrawal Agreement is fair and cannot be re-negotiated. This applies especially to the backstop, since it is the guarantee that under no circumstances will there be a hardening of the border on the island of Ireland while at the same time safeguarding the integrity of the Single Market. The EU remains clear, firm and united on this even if the negotiated backstop is not meant to be used. Therefore, the BSG insists that, without such an “all-weather” backstop-insurance, the European Parliament will not give its consent to the Withdrawal Agreement.

The BSG also reiterated Parliament’s long standing position that it is open to a much more ambitious future relationship, should the UK consider this. This would not only allow for a closer EU-UK future partnership but could also avoid deployment of the backstop. It expects greater clarity next week from the UK on its position on the EU-UK relationship for the future.

The BSG recognised that a rejection of the Agreement increases the chances of a disorderly exit of the UK, which cannot be mitigated by any form of specific arrangement(s) between the EU and the UK. It stressed that while a no deal exit would not be in anybody’s interests, the only responsible course of action remains to continue and to intensify work on no deal planning. It reiterated the European Parliament’s determination to ensure in such a case that there would be no disruption for EU citizens in the UK or for UK citizens in the EU.

Next steps

The BSG will reconvene immediately after the vote in the House of Commons on the 29 January to discuss the way forward, and the European Parliament will hold a debate at its sitting of 30-31 January.

Brexit Steering Group

RDC: Mission Nouvelle – Communique de Presse (24.01.2019)

Zimbabwe Congress of Trade Unions (ZTCU): “Subject: ZCTU Demands Japhet Moyo’s Unconditional Release” (23.01.2019)

Opinion: Another proof that The LDUs is the worst sort of Ad-Hoc decision ever made!

The Local Defence Unit that was proposed last year, are by all definition a sort of Ad-Hoc decision, which is made on the spot without considering the implications it has. To explain Ad-Hoc, let me take a definition from Merriam-Webster: “for the particular end or case at hand without consideration of wider application” (Merriam-Webster – ‘Ad Hoc’).

Why do I say that the LDUs are Ad Hoc, because they came after a series of assassinations of high-ranking officials in both the police, MPs and others. Who has been sought after and taken down during last year.

That is why the President in September 2018 said this:

“The LDU is not a new force; they are the reserve of the army. The security guards of the ministries are guarding ministries against break-ins. Terrorists are targeting soft targets, they are not bank robbers” (Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, 15.09.2018).

We can it is just a quick dip and decision made without any proper due diligence or consideration of why it is needed. More another force to quell the public and have more people with guns in close proximity of power, as the need for sudden reinforcement came during last year.

That is why the news from Daily Monitor is very compelling:

“The Defence ministry does not have the Shs9.25 billion needed to cater for Local Defence Unit (LDUs) salaries, the State Minister for Veterans’ Affairs, Mr Bright Rwamirama, has said. “We have a shortfall,” Mr Rwamirama told the House Committee on Defence and Internal Affairs in Kampala yesterday. “An additional wage allocation of Shs9.2 billion is required up to the end of 2018/2019 financial year to cater for this category,” Mr Rwamirama said. Last year, Chief of Defence Forces David Muhoozi told the committee that the monthly stipend for each recruit is Shs200,000. It is not clear if Shs9.25b includes arrears. According to Mr Rwamirama, the recruits are still undergoing training” (Wesonga, 2019).

What is also special in consideration, when coming to the army in the Republic is that it is, usually one of the biggest posts on the budget! The UPDF is that, maybe except for the State House and the Office of the Prime Minister, that get funds upon funds for their activities. When, even much of the supplementary parts also goes to the Uganda People’s Defence Force. That is if you have followed this. Therefore, if there was somewhere that is well funded and should have capacity for a shortfall of cash. It should be one of the places where the most funds are put, right?

With this in mind, the LDUs should have something to eat out of the huge plate of the UPDF. Unless, they are made for ghosts and feed the invisible creatures they are. Because nothing seems right about this. Just another trick to put more weapons on the streets and intimidate even more. Not an AD Hoc decision to secure or salvage anything. Sort of like the promise of sharpshooters on the back of the convoys of MPs and VIPs. Because that would also solve their fear and lessen the violence.

You can really tell by the comments in the Daily Monitor piece, that this is all made because the President ordered so, without any prior suggestions or securing information on how to do it. It is really some hectic and rampage activity, that only shows that the “Only Man With A Vision” is losing his steps. He is going more erratic and less sense. If he had sense, he would have consulted the generals and the Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development (MoFPED) to ensure the funds and possibility of finding funds for this policy. Alas, that was not the case. The state is starting something, without proper plan, execution or even funds. They are walking in blind, hoping to get a vision and find the way in the utter darkness, without a flash-light or anything to enhance the vision. That is what the state is doing, in the matter of the LDUs and it shows. Peace.

Reference:

Nelson Wesonga – ‘No money for LDUs- minister’ 24.01.2019, link: https://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/No-money-LDUs–minister/688334-4949198-e55kwx/index.html

Sudan: Amidst deaths, injuries, imprisonments, UNICEF stresses children’s protection ‘at all times’ (24.01.2019)

Children are likely among the dead during a month of nationwide protests in Sudan with “scores” of others injured and detained, according to a top UN Children’s Fund (UNICEF) official, who spelled out that “children should never be targeted nor used or exploited”.

NEW YORK, United States of America, January 24, 2019 – “Children were reportedly killed in ongoing turmoil that broke out last month in Sudan,” Geert Cappelaere, UNICEF Regional Director for the Middle East and North Africa, said on Wednesday, noting that “scores of children were also injured and others detained”.

Against the back drop of an “unprecedented hike in the cost of living and shortages in bread and fuel” he said that poverty has increased, “forcing some families into negative measures like taking their children out of school”.

Pointing to information it had received, UNICEF revealed that there has been an uptick in the number of Sudanese children now requiring health and nutrition care, since the anti-Government protests began.

“While it is difficult for UNICEF to verify these reports, children must be protected at all times from all forms of violence, harm, cruelty and mistreatment whether physical or mental” stressed Mr. Cappelaere.

“UNICEF calls on the authorities in Sudan to prioritize the protection of children and safeguard their rights to education and health in accordance with the Convention on the Rights of the Child” concluded the UNICEF Regional Director.

News agencies have reported that demonstrations against an on-going economic crisis have been taking place across the country on a near-daily basis, since 19 December. Large crowds, including teenagers and demonstrators in their 20s, have been calling for an end to the 30-year rule of President Omar al-Bashir.

There have been reports of many being fired on with tear gas and bullets, and thousands being detained. The UN human rights chief Michelle Bachelet, expressed alarm at the use of “excessive force” last Thursday.

A Government crackdown against journalists covering the protests is also reportedly underway. At least 26 people are reported to have died, including two security officers.

Uganda Police Force: Press Statement (24.01.2019)

Statement by Restoration of Human Rights (ROHR) Zimbabwe on the Shooting of Civilians by Soldiers Commencing 14th January 2019 (21.01.2019)

Opinion: There is only one possible Presidential Flag-Bearer within the NRM, right?

Anything is better than lies and deceit!” Leo Tolstoy

Today, the National Resistance Movement and the Secretary General of the Party Justine Kasule Lumumba launched the inner-party plans for the roadmap for the Electoral Map for 2021. This meaning all parts of government, also how the party is supposed to manoeuvrer in this manner. What was special, was the NRM Electoral Commission with Dr. Tanga Odoi wasn’t involved with the launch. In the aftermath, the Softpower News has reported, that he knew nothing.

He is just the dude that is appointed to run the NRM Primary Elections and following the time of NRM SG and Central Bodies of the NRM Party. That is why today is really hectic before starting and know that NRM Primaries will be the mess, they usually are. Since, the NRM Party internal infighting continues and the grudges of old, surface in moments like this.


“On August 21st, the party will unveil and present its Presidential candidate for the 2021 general elections to the National Electoral Commission, ahead of the start of Presidential campaigns in September. #NRMRoadMap” (NRM, 23.01.2019).

We know what this means. Just like in all the previous years. The NRM Chairman, the Commander-in-Chief, His Excellency and the President himself, Yoweri Kaguta Museveni is the only one; who has the ability or the capacity within the supposed popular movement to their Presidential Flag-Bearer. Because there are no talent, no one skilled, no one genuine or credible to be Flag-Bearer there.

I would never believe the NRM Central Executive Committee would ever touch this. We knew how it went down when Amama Mbabazi wanted to run. He lost all his positions as he gotten to ambitious and since then haven’t had it going. Dr. Kizza Besigye also had to leave the fold and create his own. Gilbert Bukenya has also given way, but kissed the ring and returned as a loyalist in the fold.

There are no credible runners within the party, as this party is not building up the talents or trying to find someone to succeed the President. He is the only one supposed to get it. He will just show up on the Scheduled Day, prove his stamina, his ability to write fast and show his swagger. Than, he will leave with the certification from the Party. Which is needed to the Electoral Commission. Then, the next part of the campaigns, rallies and the whole shindig is happening again.

Let’s be clear, there are no other candidate, because the NRM doesn’t need or want anyone else. The NRM is Museveni and Museveni is the NRM. There are no NRM without Museveni and there will be no Museveni as we know it when he leaves. The Party will be internally fighting for the breadcrumbs left behind from the reign of the current day Head of State.

If the NRM had been serious about the leadership question. They would haven’t done Mbabazi like they did. Not done Bukenya like they did and so on. Every time someone gets a bit ambitious and aims at the King. The pieces fall together and their wings are clipped so they cannot fly. They become penguinss birds who cannot fly.

The NRM would shock the world, if they would field another one that mister Yoseri, but we know that isn’t the deal. That is lie, that the Constitution of the Party will open for it. Because the Party and the NRM would never ever touch Museveni. They are all there because of him and they are his loyal subjects. Peace.

Burundi: Declaration of Izere Ntiwihebure Human Rights League after the Gruesome Discovery of 1947 Military Outfits in Burundian Refugee Camps in Tanzania (23.01.2019)

Law Society of Zimbabwe: “Re: The Rule of Law Situation” (23.01.2019)