Opinion: Sketchy things about the Independent Group!

Well, the Brexit has new victims, they might be stars for today, as they were all pulling out of the Labour Party. As the 7 Members of Parliament. These are the MPs: Angela Smith, Chris Leslie, Chuka Umunna, Gavin Shuker, Luciana Berger, Mike Gapes and Ann Coffey. They are suddenly the TIG or Tigger.

What is very special about today, they are not a Political Party, they are registered company, which ensures them to shield their donors. They don’t have to publically reveal whose behind them. The website of the TIG is registered in Panama. The final straw is that the name Independent Group (IG) was already registered in August 2018. To top it off, the Headquarters of the group is registered in Manchester at the company address of Gemini A Limited, which accidentally registered to Gavin Shuker.

With this being said, this clearly a shift, as the 7 MPs has made a statement by pulling out of the Labour Party. They are now independents at the Parliament. Some Labour voters are calling for By-Elections, because they voted at Party lines and not just these figures. Who has decided to represent their constituents differently. They are doing it mere days ahead of the D-Day concerning Brexit.

This is clearly a staged and planned manoeuvrer. As they had the registration and was prepared to launch. Who knows for what reason, they waited to do so for months, but surely their backers or the ones behind the scenes. Gave them a GO sign and out into the wilderness they went.

This has put a dent in the strength of the Opposition, as this is another dent in the leadership of Jeremy Corbyn. Who in the midst of many storms, have been able to pull through. However, now, there are even more people bailing on him. However, these people might loose steam fast. As the revelations of the TIG isn’t that positive in itself.

These people will be lonely in the sea soon. They don’t have the machinery, they will be questioned and not be as vital as they were. They were part of a big opposition party and now they are part of a independent group, which has marginal vote in Parliament and in general. They have to build and renew themselves. While also proving their worth and be transparent. As the sketchy details of the registration, as it is combined is really weird. It is not trustworthy.

It seems like a leaf in the wind, without any clear direction or even measures of what they want to achieve. Unless, it was only to humiliate the Labour Party for a hot minute. That they achieved, but was it worth it. Risking your career for doing that? Then, you could have just asked for a vote of confidence internally and fixed the issues after. However, that was not enough for these MPs.

They have to be knights in shining armour, ready to go to battle and made legends about. The TIG seemingly seems like half-baked at best. Even their statement was proof of that.

If Chuca Umunna thinks he is becoming King this way. His wrong, he is the leader of the rebellion, but certainly not a victor. Just a man who has risked it all and will now answer more directly, as Umunna and the rest has to stand up on their own.

Let’s see how that goes. Cheerio. Peace.

Opinion: Tendai Biti is another casualty of the reign of Mnangagwa!

If your where thinking there was coming a new Zimbabwe in November 2017, you where wrong, we’re all wrong. The goblin, Robert Mugabe might not be in office in his advanced age, but his henchmen and his military leadership is there. Therefore, the ZANU-PF isn’t acting better. They are even more retaliating heavier against the opposition.

The latest casualty is Movement for Democratic Change – Alliance (MDC-A) own Tendai Biti, who has been a vocal critic of the regime. He was last year because of the Post-Election Violence. As he tried to flee to Zambia for asylum, the authorities retrieved him and deported him back to Zimbabwe. They “assisted” him back for investigation into the Post-Election Violence, that rocked the capital on the 1st August 2018.

However, what has happen today is an extension of the actions of the authorities last year. They are continuing to pursuit unhappiness for the opposition leader.

Which said this on the 31st August 2018 after the polls:

The results show beyond reasonable doubt that we have won this election and that the next President of Zimbabwe is Advocate Nelson Chamisa. These results were extrapolated from V11 forms that in some cases were posted outside posted outside polling stations in compliance with the law and in some cases handed over to our candidates’ agents in compliance with the law. We now hope that the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (ZEC) will follow its Constitutional and legal obligation defined in the Electoral Act of formally announcing the result that is consistent with what we have gathered through our own parallel voter tabulation process. As you know we set up command centres in every constituency…” (Xaxa – ‘Nelson Chamisa Has Won Election And Must Be Sworn In: Biti’ 31.08.2018, link: https://news.pindula.co.zw/2018/07/31/nelson-chamisa-has-won-election-and-must-be-sworn-in-biti/).

Because, the Opposition leader said this at the Press Conference on the 31st August 2018 at the Morgan Tsvangirai House in Harare. He has gotten into legal jeopardy, as his words are used against him. As the challenge of the election and the polls are contended. Since, the state and regime is going after him for saying it. It touched a nerve, as they are taking way his rights to say or announce results, which is not done by ZEC. That is what the state says today to all citizens.

Today, the Harare Magistrate Gloria Takundwa charged him on two counts, where the lawyer broke the Electoral Law. As he today either had to pay $200 or spend a week in jail. So, he was found guilty of crimes. The Second count, which is yet not fixed is where he could spend 6 months in jail.

This is all because he said Chamisa won, instead of Emmerson Mnangagwa, a President incumbent who also said this on the 31st August 2018: “Good morning Zimbabwe, I am delighted by the high turnout and citizen engagement so far. The information from our reps on the ground is extremely positive! Waiting patiently for official results as per constitution” (Takunda Shumba – ‘ED Mnangagwa claims victory? Chamisa warned elections could be reversed, rigged’ 31.08.2018, link: https://zwnews.com/ed-mnangagwa-claims-victory-chamisa-warned-elections-could-be-reversed-rigged/ ).

So, we can see that Mnangagwa was allowed and got into no issues proclaiming victory. He came with an online video on the same day as Tendai Biti said his peace at a Press Conference. This again, shows he different use of law and how it always sticks directly to the MDC-A, but ZANU-PF gets off the hook.

Well, we know that this regime is a type that retaliates and is vicious. That the ZANU-PF has shown, again and again. This is just another one, who is picked out and shown as political target by the regime. Because, the state are not initiating anything against the President or even a warning for his words about this, but Tendai Biti is fair game. Peace.

Economic Freedom Fighters Statement on the Liquidation of African Global Operation Group of Companies, known as BOSASA (18.02.2019)

Ethiopia and Djibouti’s renewed resolve for cooperation and economic integration (18.02.2019)

The 15th Djibouti-Ethiopian Joint Ministerial Commission meeting was held at the end of last month (January 30-31) in Djibouti.

LONDON, United Kingdom, February 18, 2019 –  The meeting was held in a spirit of brotherhood that reflected the excellent relations between the two countries. At the same time, it also provided a unique platform for both countries, to serve as a venue for the determination of both governments to demonstrate a renewed resolution to continue to play a pivotal role in the progress of the Horn of Africa and of Africa. Both governments are, after all, engaged in a process of reform aimed, inter alia, to encourage their nationals to engage fully and practically in the creation of employment opportunity for youth, expand the structures of democracy, buttress ongoing economic progress, and respect the rights of the people.

This Joint Ministerial Commission meeting was an opportune occasion to showcase the renewed commitment of both countries to resolve all pressing issues, and underline their determination to work closely together on peace and stability in the region and to support economic development and regional integration.

The Ethiopian side commended the Government of Djibouti for taking steps to improve relations with Eritrea. Djibouti appreciated Prime Minister Dr Abiy’s bold moves to encourage tranquility in the region. The initiatives for peace provided a firm jumping off point to encourage youth to participate in the current wind of hope, change and confidence. The agreements reached clearly demonstrated the deep-seated commitment of both governments to encourage prosperity of their peoples. They included bolstering cooperation on criminal matters, formulating plans for ensuring regular, safe and orderly migration on the basis of the spirit of the Marrakech Agreement, and producing a new comprehensive agreement on labor issues, as well as enhancing existing cooperation on peace and security issues bilaterally and within the frame work of IGAD, the African Union and the United Nations.

The Joint Ministerial Commission in fact provided an important venue to underline the need to work closely together to revive the economy of areas that shared a common border and improve the conditions and ways of life of the populations on both sides of the border. There was strong awareness that this would give further impetus towards reinforcing already deep-rooted people-to-people ties. Similarly, aiming to further concretize the ties, a new level of cooperation was reached to exchange instructors and youth experts in such areas of logistics and transport, forestry, engineering, and language teaching.

The second distinctive feature of the Joint Ministerial Commission meeting was that it served as a venue to navigate the future of this symbolic cooperation and make clear the way forward for moving towards the dream of the “Africa we want in 2063.” Important milestones like the Continental Free Trade Area brokered by the African Union and signed up to by 44 of its 55 member states, in Kigali last year, can best be materialized if meaningful efforts are undertaken at regional level. Allowing free access to commodities, goods, and services across the continent are prerequisites to African unity. This was clearly shown by Ethiopia and Djibouti, both signatories to the CFTA, in expediting implementation of their bilateral Border Trade Protocol and General Trade Agreement at the JMC meeting.

Both sides have scaled up the gains achieved in port operation and transportation. They have made great efforts to remove impediments to enhance the efficiency of the port and ensure effective utilization of transport links. Enhancement of the quality of operations as well as completing interconnection projects, and initiating new phases of railway projects to augment integration, were discussed in detail. Joint mechanisms have been put in place. Both sides agreed that completion of infrastructure projects was essential to fast-tracking economic integration. They agreed to work to launch the natural gas pipeline project by fast-tracking technical issues.

Overall, the 15th Djibouti-Ethiopia Joint Ministerial Commission meeting clearly provided the opportunity for an important dialogue and a realistic working platform to further speed up the pace of cooperation and economic integration. It called for credible steps to resolve any outstanding issues, agreeing to implement solutions to encourage the continued upward spiral of economic links and joint peace and stability. It emphasized the need to forge closer follow-up of agreements, and to hone capacity to manage the systems underpinning prosperity and security. The meeting strongly underlined the value of holding bilateral dialogues regularly to encourage the advancement of the joint common agenda for the greater common good.

UNHCR South Sudan Operational Update (18.02.2019)

UNHCR provides business management support to over 100 refugee women in Upper Nile.

GENEVA, Switzerland, February 18, 2019 –  UNHCR and partners roll out ‘back to school’ campaign in Unity: A back to school campaign took place in Ajuong Thok and Pamir refugee camps in coordination with the Ministry of Education, CRA, and partner Lutheran World Foundation (LWF), and UNHCR and refugee community. The campaign reinforced the use of proof of registration to facilitate enrolment process and correct age per respective grade as well as the role of parents and care givers in ensuring children of school going age are enrolled and stay in school.

UNHCR and partners coach refugees on sustainable business management in Upper Nile:  UNHCR and partners ACTED and Relief International (RI) provided business coaching on sustainable business management to 131 refugee entrepreneurs (90 women, 41 men) in Doro, Yusuf Batil, Kaya, and Gendrassa refugee camps. The entrepreneurs, who were previously trained on business idea generation, business plan development, and business establishment achieved total sales of 9,265,015 South Sudanese Pounds, and a total profit of 2,939,500 South Sudanese Pounds.

UNHCR distributes non-food items to inmates in Jonglei: On 24 January, UNHCR team distributed protection based non-food items (NFIs) to 215 inmates (215 men, 10 women) at Bor Central Prison and Model Police Station. The items distributed include mosquito nets, washing soap, and sanitary kits (washing soap, bucket, underwear, and sanitary cloth). The intervention was aimed at improving the living conditions of inmates who lacked basic items following a joint visit by humanitarian actors to Bor state prison.

UNHCR and partners launch ‘one stop-shops’ for access to service in Malakal: On 22 January 2019, UNHCR and partners Humanitarian Development Consortium (HDC) and Danish Refugee Council (DRC) launched a ‘one-stop shops’ in Malakal POC and Malakal Town. The objective of this innovative project is to make referrals more efficient as beneficiaries can access the following services in one location: general protection, legal aid/Housing Land Property, child protection, as well as Camp Coordination and Camp Management (CCCM) for general complaints.

UNHCR provides business management support to over 100 refugee women in Upper Nile: In Gendrassa and Kaya refugee camps, UNHCR and partner ACTED provided business management support to 110 refugee women involved in economic enterprises including tailoring, catering, bakery and handicraft. The female entrepreneurs continue to receive training on financial literacy and were able to earn a total cash income of 131,975 South Sudanese Pounds.

Brexit: The Independent Group – Statement of Independence (18.02.2019)

Zimbabwe: Press Statement by the Chief Secretary to the President and Cabinet, Dr. Misheck J M Sibanda on Redeployment of Senior Military Officers to the Diplomatic Service (18.02.2019)

Brexit: PM Theresa May letter to Tories MPs (16.02.2019)

Zimbabwe: Kadzere, Hungwe & Mandevere – The Firm letter to Speaker of Parliament – “Re: Our Client Honourable Themba Muswa – Threats of Death and Personal Security by Honourable Dexter Nduna” (13.02.2019)

Opinion: Kabila will be lurking in Tshisekedi’s shadow!

Today, there been reports of a 4 hour meeting between President Felix Tshisekedi and former President Joseph Kabila in Kinshasa. Not long ago that Tshisekedi was inaugurated as President. The FCC-CACH agreement is really going into fruition.

Why can really wonder what went down, as even the Press Service of the Head of State or the President have not delivered any statement on the meeting. The 4 hours between the men us apparently not recorded. Who knows if the previous President is ensuring his own benefits and his allies. So, that the new President is not following or looking into the cronyism of the predecessor.

Even as the PR Team of the President is saying the meeting was friendly and they was hugging. That is not strange, as the Tshisekedi has made deals with the FCC and needs the support of the predecessors MPs and such. As they have majority in the Parliament, the CACH alliance has lesser power there. That is why Kabila is all smiles, because he can wine and dine… and get the deals he wants.

This is just another proof of the questionable behaviour and the secret dealings that was before the announcement of the polls of the 30th December 2018 Elections. The results was announced on the 6th January 2019, as well as the inauguration was done on the 24th January 2019.

We can wonder if this is a continuation of the back-room deal and if there are some requests, that the PR Team of the President doesn’t want public. When a meeting like this is made, it is not only to get advice or even tricks of the trade. But since there was a peaceful transition, there are some coins and what leverage the predecessor have.

That Kabila was in a good mood is that he is not in office, but surely lingering around the chambers of power. He might not be the Head of State, but surely have reach still. There has been nothing ceased of his businesses or any assets, which has been looted an mass. Therefore, the reign of Tshisekedi will only prove to be a change. When they are able to address the corruption of the previous one.

Kabila is surely still the king, since he seems to be untouchable, also the same with his cronies who even given a Golden Handshake as they are retired. Tshisekedi are doing this, as this was one of the last decrees of the regime of Kabila.

Clearly, we can wonder what they talked about today. Since, it was nothing official from the meeting. Than, we can start to speculate. Tshisekedi looks like second fiddle, as he doesn’t have the courage to be transparent about a simple meeting at his residence today. Peace.