DRC: Eye care for Ebola Survivors (10.04.2019)

In the Democratic Republic of the Congo, local ophthalmologists are learning to provide specialized care to Ebola Survivors.

GENEVA, Switzerland, April 10, 2019 – Knowledge gained following the 2014–16 West Africa Ebola outbreak identified a number of challenges survivors face, including reduced or blurred vision stemming from inflammation of their eyes. About 20% of survivors from that outbreak had some form of eye problem.

By identifying and treating these problems early, serious consequences, including blindness, can be averted. With the Ministry of Health of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), the World Health Organization recently organized an eye clinic to check on the eye health of survivors of the current Ebola outbreak.

The clinic was held in Beni, DRC, one of the affected areas, from 25 March to 1 April. In addition, an eye clinic in Butembo, another affected area, was equipped so that they can provide this specialized care to survivors there. This is the first time in an Ebola outbreak that follow-up for eye care has happened so soon after survivors have been released from care.

Several survivors also helped with the planning and administration of the clinic. Partners in this project include Emory University, which deployed two ophthalmologists, and University of North Carolina which deployed one ophthalmologist to the project via the Global Outbreak Alert and Response Network, which is hosted by WHO.

Over 250 survivors were seen. The team noted that complications such as uveitis were observed at lower rates compared to cases from the 2014–16 West Africa Ebola outbreak. So far only one survivor had eye complications that may be linked to Ebola.

As part of the programme, international specialists trained 10 Congolese ophthalmologists on how to identify and treat Ebola-related eye issues. Feedback from participating national healthcare providers and enrolled survivors was overwhelmingly positive.

Next steps will be to continue to follow up with survivors, at the clinics held each month, where they are provided medical, biological and psychological care. There are currently over 300 survivors registered in the follow-up programme.

Report to the Media on Status of the Revival of Uganda Airlines (10.04.2019)

UN rights chief Bachelet appeals for dialogue in Sudan amid reports ‘70 killed’ in demonstrations (10.04.2019)

The UN rights chief’s comments follow concerns about the reported use of tear gas and live ammunition by security forces against demonstrators in mass-protests that began last December.

NEW YORK, United States of America, April 10, 2019 – Sudan’s authorities have an “over-arching responsibility” to protect protesters, UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Michelle Bachelet, said on Tuesday, amid reports that 70 people have died in the latest anti-Government clashes.

The UN rights chief’s comments follow concerns about the reported use of tear gas and live ammunition by security forces against demonstrators in mass-protests that began last December, over rising food and fuel prices and deteriorating living standards.

According to news reports, heavy gunfire was heard outside the Sudanese army headquarters on Tuesday, where thousands of protesters have been staging a sit-in over the past three days, calling for an end to President Omar al-Bashir’s three-decade rule.

Spokesperson for the High Commissioner (OHCHR), Ravina Shamdasani, reiterated Ms. Bachelet’s “serious concern at the use of excessive force” by Sudanese security forces, adding that her office had documented “many killings” since the situation deteriorated.

“Clearly a lot of people have died,” Ms. Shamdasani said, noting how difficult it was to verify numbers, or who was responsible, since various parts of the country’s security forces appeared to be “taking different sides”.

“We have been in touch with the authorities and they have actually invited our office to visit and we are in discussions with them about this,” she said. “We are again calling on the Government and security forces to ensure that the right to peaceful assembly is fully respected and the right to freedom of expression is respected, and that a genuine dialogue is undertaken to resolve this very complex situation with very real economic and social grievances of the public.”

The High Commissioner’s appeal follows the announcement by UN Secretary-General António Guterres on Monday, that he was following the demonstrations in Sudan “closely”

In a statement, Mr. Guterres appealed to all actors to exercise “utmost restraint and avoid violence”, while also calling for the release of detained protesters.

While affirming that the United Nations “stands ready to support any efforts agreed by the Sudanese to peacefully resolve the current crisis”, the Secretary-General further called on the Government of the Sudan to create a “conducive environment for a solution to the current situation and to promote an inclusive dialogue”.

Opinion: DP Ruto’s shameless attempt of self-defense!

I do not believe that corruption can stop a leader from delivering in Kenya” – Deputy President William Ruto on Citizen TV Kenya on NewsNight on the 9th March 2019

We know that DP Ruto has the ability to lie, deceive and play for the audiences. What he did today isn’t new, but just an extension of his career in the spotlight and as Deputy to the President, which has been for a while now.

This was a spin of his narratives, where wasn’t challenged and allowed to play it out. The ones naive would eat it all up. The ones who see his ways are shocked how acts out. The ones that are suffering is the people. Who has this man as their leader and Second in Command.

DP Ruto are clearly showing no remorse for his wealth, for his accumulated assets or his land-grabbing ways. Neither the lack of real effort to develop, or use the prospects of state to actually serve the population. He is just defending the ways of looting and eating, while being in office.

The Kenyan people should be worried, that this man can do this and say what he did on National TV. That he could go out with blazing guns and claim what he do. Without any security, without any fact-check nor care of proof.

He is just showing his disregard for the people he is supposed to serve. That he thinks they will eat this and accept this. This is taking the public for granted, while looting, stealing and thieving the public coffers. That he thinks is cool. Apparently, even corrupt behaviour cannot stop development, did he learn that from Andrew Mwenda?

However, this is far from the last, we will hear or see of the DP. He will linger around, there will be more scandals as long as his in office. It is just a matter of time, where either him or some of his allies are caught in whirlwind of graft and fraud. That is just court filing away, whoever dare to sue or allege a set-of crimes done.

You cross every river when you get there. For now I am happy to serve as the DP. When that time comes, the Jubilee Party will make that decision” – DP Ruto on NewsNight 9th April 2019

Cry me river, cry havoc. Don’t give him the ability to cross the river and become the Commander-in-Chief. If he is this cunning now? How will he be in the highest office? He will be relentless and misuse the office even more.

He has learned from KANU, he has learned from ODM and using his steps in the Jubilee. If he gains even more, he will finds ways to overstep and adapt again. That is just the way he is.

Don’t eat his words. Don’t accept them. Challenge them. Because, he will challenge you, and it will not be a fair fight. Since, he will rig it to fit his narrative to ensure that he wins, no matter what. Peace.

Algeria: The Invisible President is Out, Interim Appointed, but who will really succeed him?

Abdelkader Bensalah, the newly appointed Interim President of Algeria after the 20 year long reign of Abdelaziz Bouteflika. Bensalah is not a rookie, he is a vital part of the regime, whose been running the Republic. His not a new figure, as he has been the President of the Senate and therefore, isn’t a reforming figure or someone who really ushers in change.

Even if the Parliament have appointed him the successor of Bouteflika, that doesn’t mean the public nor the demonstrators are accepting this fate. As they will not feel that this is enough. This is just switching one similar head with another. There will be no significant change with Bensalah as President.

They have gotten rid of the President that was trying to surf into a fifth term, Bouteflika, but his party and his cronies are still lingering in power. The same army officials and the ones, whose intent of changing leadership. Means they are losing their wealth and credentials, which they cannot risk to lose at time.

By law, Bensalah can only be in power for 90 days. We will see if his the pawn for Noureddine Bedoui, whose the current Prime Minister. Who two days ago nominated his cabinet after the President stepped down only 7 days ago.

Therefore, this is happening fast, but expect the party of Bouteflika and the army to configure the basics. As they are trying to find their way for a “change” that is only on paper, but maybe not in reality. A new possible head, but no particular change or reforms for the public to see.

This would be with the leadership of Bedoui or even Vice Prime Minister Ramtane Lamamra. Both of them could be scheming something behind the scenes. That is why they are getting rid of Benesalah, as he cannot by law or the constitution run for office. An only lead the Republic for 90 days.

That is why it seems like they are working behind the scenes to usher in some of the strong-men and secure the foundations made. Not ensure the voices of the streets or the ones who stood up in the revolution to get rid of Bouteflika. However, the same people still have the same party and state machinery behind him.

Let’s see how this goes, but don’t expect the army nor the state machinery to change, even with a Invisible President Bouteflika out of the picture. There is no change with Benesalah, significantly it wouldn’t be much change with Bedoui or Lamara. They are all part of the same structure and leadership.

We just have to see, if the revolution get rid of the party or if it just gives way from one tyrant to the next. We can hope not, but we have seen this elsewhere. You get if rid of known predator, but get another one. Peace.

Brexit: European Council (Article 50) on 10 April 2019 – Draft Conclusions (09.04.2019)

Burundi: Declaration no. 14 ALUCHOTO du 09 Avril 2019 portant sur la fermeture des Radios VOA et BBC au Burundi (09.04.2019)

Philippines: President Duterte – Message – Araw ng Kaglitingan (09.04.2019)

RDC: FCC – Communique du Front Commun pour le Congo (07.04.2019)

RDC: Proces Verbal de Non Concilation Entre la Majorite et l’Opposition Parlementaires (09.04.2019)