UNISFA helicopter crashes in Abyei (10.02.2019)

An Ethiopian military helicopter registration Number UNO 379P with 23 passengers on board has crashed today at around 1310H inside the compound of the United Nations Interim Security Force for Abyei (UNISFA) killing three of its crew members.

The MI-8 helicopter was on routine operation carrying Ethiopian troops on rotation from Kadugli to Abyei when it crashed. Ten passengers were injured with three in critical condition. The three who are in critical condition have been conveyed to Kadugli en route to Addis Ababa while those not in critical condition are being stabilized at the UNISFA Level II hospital in Abyei.

The immediate cause of the crash is not yet known. UNISFA’s acting Head of Mission and Force Commander Major General Gebre Adhana Woldezgu said, “We are investigating the incident.” “We are deeply saddened by what happened this afternoon. We are extending our condolences to the families of those who died in the crash,” Major General Woldezgu said.

General Gebre Adhana Woldezgu commended UNISFA personnel who responded promptly to the crash by assisting to evacuate passengers from the helicopter, stressing that the casualty figures could have been much higher. “This show of solidarity reflects the spirit of peacekeeping and must be applauded”, General Woldezgu said.

The helicopter flew from Kadugli for the Mission’s regular troop rotation. UNISFA’s sole troop contributing country Ethiopia is currently rotating its soldiers from Kadugli to different sites in the Abyei area.

Ethiopia has around 4,500 personnel on the ground to support UNISFA’s efforts of ensuring peace and security in Abyei.

Zimbabwe: Ministry of Local Government, Public Works and National Housing letter to Provincial Administrator – “Re: Her Excellency, The First Lady Amai Auxillia Mnangagwa’s Interface with the Chief’s Wives” (07.02.2019)

Opinion: Kalonzo bows down for Kenyatta!

Stephen Kalonzo Musyoka has been called a watermelon, a sissy and a fraud. For various of reasons, as he has flipped the script. Changed loyalty to stay vibrant and always tried to find the way to narrow streets of power. By alliances and being committed to the ones of power.

Yesterday, he let the whole scenario out of the bag. As he committed to possible amend the Constitution, so that two term President Uhuru Kenyatta could run for a third. Because, Kalonzo thinks its a good idea that his Wiper Democratic Movement (WDM) should join Raila Odinga’s Orange Democratic Movement (ODM), Musalia Mudavadi’s Amani National Congress (ANC) and together with William Ruto/ Uhuru Kenyatta Jubilee Party become one strong alliance. That is what this man saying, in front of everyone at the Unity Meeting of the Ukambani on Friday the 8th February 2019.

This shows, that the man wants to be sucked in and be a loyal crony. Even to the extent where the political families, the dynasties own the Republic and he eats as well. That is what it seems. The rule of law can be bent, as long as he is viable and his friends are getting the cut. There is not other way to see it.

If he thinks this shows strengths or courage, if this shows leadership or even a mere hope. The Ukambani leader Kalonzo is very wrong. This shows his cronyism and his shallowness to a level that is insane. This is the blind leader who follows into levels of worship, where they ability to change laws for selected individuals are lack of respect for rule of law, even for justice and liberty. As it seems like in the vision of Kalonzo, that Kenyatta is bound to rule for life and every is supposed to follow suit.

There is nothing to be captured by the will to change and amend the constitution so that Kenyatta can have another term. Because, when you have first open the opportunity. Why shouldn’t Kenyatta get a fourth? Or a fifth? Maybe even a sixth term?

When you can take away the two terms, why not open the whole can of worms and give him a free ride to eternity, right?

If you let Kenyatta have three, why not more?

Kalonzo has really shown his loyalty and that he bows downs to the dynasties. As he knows in the end, that makes him some ends. He gets checks and titles, he get cash to spend and lives lavish. So, as long as he shows respect and loyalty, that will pay-off in the long run. That why he stays for the long-con. That why he didn’t show up for the inauguration, but was in trouble in his own home. Now, he shown his true face.

That he is minor, a fringe player, who cannot play unless someone gives him a ball. He needs to await the coach on the side to give him that. So, his allowed to play and get ability to be in circle of power. Peace.

Burundi: ALUCHOTO – Portant sur la Poursutte du Dossier de Viol Sexuel d’Une Jeune Fille Ecoliere a l’ECOFO Mwura, Commune Vyanda, Province Bururi (09.02.2019)

Burundi: Communique du CNARED-GIRITEKA apres le 20eme Sommet des Chefs d’Etats de la Communaute de l’Afrique de l’EST (08.02.2019)

Malawi: UTM letter to MISA Malawi – “Apology for the Assault of Journalist George Banda” (09.02.2019)

Opinion: Mzee, its your system that let the Minister’s sleep!

Do not blame people and their attitudes: the problem is not corruption or greed, the problem is the system that pushes you to be corrupt. The solution is not, “Main Street, not Wall Street,” but to change the system where Main Street cannot function without Wall Street.” Slavoj Zizek

That this is an issue now isn’t strange. The National Resistance Movement have run the Republic since 1986. The growing amount of cronies, corruption and filled with useful idiots around the President. The President are clearly acting out. The NRM knows this, because they have made the entitlement, the ones who are eating, but not talented or anything. They are appointed, not on merit, but by either family or loyalty. That is why the Ministers and Presidential Advisors are like they are.

President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni knows this perfectly well. He could have sacked all of them. The growing level of the Cabinet, which is about 81 Ministers in total and 146 Presidential Advisors. They can all chill-out, as they can rarely be changed or even sacked. Cannot remember that in a long while. If something is happening, there are some minor changes or they end up in the NRM Party Organizations, like Dr. Tanga Odoi ended up with NRM Electoral Commission for the Primary Elections. That is how the NRM does and the President knows. Therefore, there are no need to overwork or do to much. Because, there are no sanctions or such. Since they are all secured and eating as they are in office under this President.

Many of my ministers are sleeping. They are selfish and only think about themselves. Ugandans know how to listen if they are told the right things, that is how we managed to build the Movement by learning and listening to others” Yoweri Kaguta Museveni while addressing investors during the sixth Presidential Investors Round Table (PIRT) at State House on the 8th February 2019 (Misairi Thembo Kahungu – ‘Museveni: My ministers are selfish, sleep on job’ 08.02.2019, link: https://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/Museveni—My-ministers-selfish–sleep-job/688334-4971964-60mn1qz/index.html).

There are reasons why they are sleeping. There are Ministers for small or minor Ministries with Micro-Budgets, where they have a lax mandate or not even enough Principal Secretaries or Organization that matters to fulfil the work they need. The Ministries are inter-connected and doesn’t have the funding or the manpower. As there are so many Auditor General reports, where the open post of lacked hired staff comes up, again and again.

There are so many systemic defects, but surely that is done deliberate by the President. As he offers the most funds to the Ministry of Defence, State House, Office of the Prime Minister and so on. The others are getting less, as well, as the amounts of funds that goes to pay back loans that the state has collected. This is known, as the deficit are filled not with donor funds, but loans, which they are now paying more and more by every year.

The President can complain about his Ministers. But he appointed them and trusted them. He has made their positions and made them responsible. They are supposed to answer to him and follow the mandate the government have given them. The possibilities to do so, are made by the budget and funds given. Also, the strategic and willing to let them develop it. However, the President usually goes for quick fixes and not for long-term planning, as his erratic micro-management style. That is well-known. As well, as the President always blame others, but take all CREDIT.

Therefore, this President is not someone who will stay behind his people, but push them to the crocodiles, if they are not doing their thing or if they become to ambitious. Certainly, the President can complain, if they don’t do enough. He should sanction the ones or give them a carrot to act. Peace.

Tchad: CADH – Communique de Presse (08.02.2019)

Opinion: Tendu Lissu must have hit a nerve…

The Opposition Leader Tendu Lissu has been a sore thumb for the Tanzanian President, a long time. That is well-known. As there was even assassination attempt on the 7th September 2017, as he has since been the to the hospital for. Lissu is an MP for t he party of Chama cha Demokrasia na Maendeleo (CHADEMA), Swahili for Party for Democracy and Progress.

We know he is hitting a nerve, as the Parliament and Speaker of the Parliament, because his absence from Parliament because of treatment abroad for the wounds, that has been caused in the assassination attempt. They are not even accepting the bills from the hospital or saying, that the MP has not notified, so they know where he is.

But apparently, they should know, as he was on the same TV show with the Tanzanian Ambassador in the United States on the Voice of America (VOA) with Shaka Ssali. Therefore, the saying of no knowledge is just giving way and being difficult.

This is all petty politics. They are attacking him, because Tundu is a vocal dissident. Something, the President Joseph Magufuli and his CCM cannot manage at this point of time. Everyone is supposed to follow the party line of the President and smile at his brilliance.

Lissu is hit for everything. I have read so many comments, that he should shut-up and be of kinder words. While the CCM can do whatever they want, the opposition parties are supposed to be gentle and soft spoken. They are not supposed to retaliate, even as their space are closing in and the oppressive attitude is continuing from the authorities.

I’m sure if any of the Opposition Parties took POWER and did the same thing to CCM, as it has done to ACT Wazelendo and CHADEMA. The people and leaders of CCM would call Lissu all sort of names, also the same to Zitto Kabwe. The President are using his powers, the CCM are wilfully pushing them to the brink. They are taking the little space away, that they already have.

Now, that they even want to cut away the livelihood of Lissu. Not only with the new laws tell how they are supposed to function as parties, who is not even allowed to hold rallies, meeting or press conferences. Therefore, the next level, is just showing that the words of Lissu matters. Because, the authorities and the Parliament are striking back at him.

If the CCM and Magufuli will look good for the world. They would not limit the space of the freedom of speech, liberty of dissidents and control of the political sphere. As of today, the CCM are limiting it and assaulting it, in favour of controlling it by any means. Right now, the victim and the one hit by this is Lissu. It could be a neighbour tomorrow. Peace.

RDC: M23 – Communique Officiel (08.02.2019)