Opinion: How many SPLM(s) does South Sudan need?

Well, today there is revealed that former leader of SPLM – Former Detainees (SPLM-FD), Pagan Amum have launched himself a new party, the Real-SPLM. This is revealed when he signed the declaration with other opposition officials during this weekend.

However, there has no been mentioned two SPLM within a few liner notes. You have much more, which makes things really confusing. You have the President Salva Kiir Mayardit party, which is the SPLM/A-IG (In-Government) or the SPLM/A. Than you have Dr. Riek Machar who has his SPLM/A-IO (In-Opposiiton). Just to make it more confusing, you have Dr. Taban Deng own fraction of SPLM-IO, whose part of the TGoNU or R-TGoNU if you may.

When your thinking this is to much. Than you have the SPLM-N, whose itself is split into two groups. You have the SPLM-N run by Malik Agar and the SPLM-N Al Hilu Group, lead by Abdel-Aziz al-Hilu. So with that in mind, there is just a several organizations with different prefixes and this it all.

Just to continue, this is not yet final. There is also SPLM – Democratic Change (SPLM-DC), which was headed by Dr. Lam Akol, who has later started his own party, the National Democratic Movement (NDM), which is not in connection with the SPLM or anyone sounding like it.

This are the ones I know about right now. Key, that I know about right now. I might have left someone out, but this is the list I got.

My current SPLM list:

SPLM = Sudanese People’s Liberation Movement

SPLM/A-(IG)

SPLM/A-IO; Machar

SPLM/A-IO; Taban

SPLM-FD

SPLM-N; Agar*

SPLM-N; al-Hilu*

SPLM-DC

SPLM/A-Upper Nile Group (under commander Deng Kelay Riak)

R-SPLM (Real-SPLM)

*Based in Sudan and not in South Sudan.

That is six parties with very similar names and with personification of the leadership. This sort of things has happen with the SPLM in the past too. As in 1991, the SPLM got into two. The SPLM/A Nasir fraction and the SPLM/A Toriet fraction. In 1994/95 you also had the split within the SPLM/A-United. Therefore, this sort of actions has happened in the past and continues to this day.

What it is showing is that it get hectic and you got to keep you mind correct. Because, without further due, you mention the wrong party and the wrong leader. In addition, what also comes to question with the new party mentioned these days, the Real-SPLM, whose the fake one?

Because, something gotta give. There must be a reason why he calls his party and the other ones are named differently. Unless, there are so few prefixes left. That to be able to establish something profound. He had to use real. Not like you want to start the Fake-SPLM or F-SPLM, if I may.

There is a lot of history, a lot of battles, betrayal and also hurt in this here. Where the leadership has crossed each other and therefore made these alliances. However, this also shows the lack of unity and movement towards on point. Even though all of them claim to be part of the SPLM, just in various fractions. Which states the obvious.

That there is a disconnect between the SPLM/A-IG and the rest. As there was a need to start all the others parties with a very similar connotation. If I have forgotten anything or anyone. Please feel free to mention it. Because this is how far I got today. Peace.

South Sudan Opposition Movements: Declaration of Principles – “Launching the New Vision of Hope and Transformation in South Sudan” (30.08.2019)

President Museveni letter to Speaker Kadaga: The Genetic Engineering Regulatory Act, 2018 (22.07.2019)

Zambia: Where the government claims the Opposition created the maize-inflation, I beg to differ!

This week in Zambia, you have arrest of opposition leader and also claim that another ppposition leader is in-charge of the rising prices, the inflation and the overall added expenses on the staple food: Maize.

However, we all know that is rubbish. Because, UPND Hichilema isn’t in-charge of any ministry or government portfolio. It is the Patriotic Front (PF) and President Edgar Lungu whose in charge of the mess created. It is his people whose not on guard and fixing the issues within the Republic. That is why the issues are there, because there is a need for basis and control from the state.

In addition, that the PF is attacking others and claiming their faults for their mismanagement. It is easier to point the finger at HH and UPND. Instead of acting reasonable and finding out why there is a growing inflation on staple-food and the need for price cap on Maize.

Look!

“On Sunday, the 25th of August 2019, the Agriculture Minister of Zambia, one of the most highly urbanized countries in Sub-Saharan Africa, Michael Katambo said following a meet with millers, chain stores, stockfeed manufacturers and grain traders that they all had agreed to put a cap on maize price in order to keep the nation’s staple food affordable. On top of that, the Agricultural Ministry had also added in a statement that a ton of maize could be sold at a maximum price of $198.93 or 2,600 Kwacha ($1= 13.07 Kwacha)” (Sourav D. – ‘Zambia introduces price cap on maize (corn) amid farmers’ protest’ 27.08.2019, Financial-World.Org).

“Zambia’s headline inflation accelerates for sixth consecutive month in August, jumping to new multi-year high as food price pressures weigh. Despite the reintroduction of maize price caps, surging food prices may steer inflation to breach double-digit territory by end-Q3” (NKC African Economics, 30.08.2019).

“Lusaka Province secretary Kennedy Kamba told journalists yesterday the two directors recently invited United Party for National Development (UPND) president Hakainde Hichilema to coerce him into petitioning the Commission over alleged corruption in the government. Mr Kamba said those were some of the clandestine tactics the opposition and some public servants were using to discredit President Edgar Lungu and his government because they had nothing else to talk about as the government had delivered in all sectors. At the same briefing, Lusaka Province PF chairman Paul Moonga warned millers against conniving with the opposition to create artificial mealie meal prices and commodity shortages” (Charles Musonda – ‘ACC BOSSES EXPOSED’ 30.08.2019, Daily Nation)

The PF should consider their actions, because it is their lack of actions in time. That is the reason for the inflation on the staple food. If not their inside dealings, which has told stories to HH. It is not that he gets the truth from directors of millers.

Therefore, the state and the PF needs to look into itself and its shortcomings. If they want it for the better. PF needs to act upon that, not that HH or anyone else is questioning their actions. Since, his just doing his duty as an opposition. HH is not governing, that is what the PF does, if not they are not doing it well enough. That is why HH and the opposition is the scapegoats for the lack of due diligence from the government itself.

Seriously, something is up. I don’t know what it is or the reason for it. But there is something not sorted out. Because, an inflation and a price-cap on maize doesn’t come over night. Peace.

Sierra Leone: Joint Statement at a Press Conference Organized by Legal Link and Citizens Advocacy Network regarding the Cancellation on the Re-Run Parliamentary Election in Constituency 110 by NEC and the Poor Security of the said Election by the Sierra Leone Police (30.08.2019)

Cameroon: Ambazonia Governing Council – Funding Prisoners Appeal (29.08.2019)

Opinion: Trump shouldn’t throw shade at Comey, his guilty of leaking himself!

““I will tell you this — Russia, if you’re listening, I hope you’re able to find the 30,000 emails that are missing. I think you will probably be rewarded mightily by our press,” the GOP presidential nominee said at a press conference in Miami” (Rebecca Shabad – ‘Donald Trump: I hope Russia finds Hillary Clinton’s emails’ 27.07.2016, CBS News).

Well, I am just tired of bullshit. It is so much of it. As the OIG report was released on the leaking of the memo’s of the former FBI Director James Comey to the New York Times. However, what is more striking to me, that the OIG isn’t criminalizing it. Is that the President and his White House Team is attacking Comey. While, the President and others has leaked confidential information to Russian associates.

Therefore, the Trump administration should look into its own actions and back-channels towards Kremlin. Because, there is enough phone-calls, no-no meetings at G-20 meeting in Finland and so-on. Also, enough secretive meetings to gather knowledge of the political enemy during the campaign to Presidential Election of 2016.

That is why, Trump shouldn’t throw shade on the one memo Comey leaked parts, which was later classified. This has not been investigated, however, Comey has been and its ended this month. But first show what Trump has done himself. Just a little bit.

Leaking confidential intelligence to Russians:

“Vanity Fair reported on Wednesday that a top American spy told Israeli intelligence officials during a meeting at CIA headquarters in Langley, Virginia, a few weeks before Trump’s inauguration that US intelligence believed Russian President Vladimir Putin had “leverages of pressure” over Trump” (…) “Trump met with Lavrov and Kislyak in the Oval Office on May 10, the day after he fired James Comey as FBI director. Trump told the Russians that he had “faced great pressure” as a result of the investigation into Russia’s interference in the 2016 US election — and whether the Trump campaign colluded with Moscow — that Comey was leading, calling him “crazy” and “a real nut job.”” (…) “Trump then reportedly described the broad outlines of the Israeli intelligence and named the Syrian city in which it was gathered” (Eliza Relman – ‘Bombshell report reveals new details about Trump’s Oval Office meeting with Russians after he fired Comey’ 24.11.2017).

Russian smokescreen:

“As for the results of Foreign Minister Lavrov’s visit to the United States and his meeting with President Trump, we assess the results highly. This was the first visit, a return visit by our foreign minister, after we received US Secretary of State Tillerson here in Moscow. This is normal and natural international practice. At the same time, however, we see the growing political schizophrenia in the United States. There is no other way I can explain the accusations against the current president that he handed whichever secrets over to Lavrov. Incidentally, I spoke with him [Lavrov] today about this matter, and I will have to give him a ticking off for not sharing these secrets with me. Not with me, nor with our intelligence officials. This was really not good of him at all” (President of Russia – ‘Press statements and answers to journalists’ questions following Russian-Italian talks’ 17.03.2017).

So, when you see these statements. You know something is up. You know that Trump is up to something. This is just a snippet of the connections. Because, there is reasons why there is printed books about the Russian connections with the Trump Campaign. Also, the previous business transactions with Russians too. Therefore, there is no need to add to that. But, when the President Tweet like he does and his White House attack Comey. The White House should also reflect into what they did with leaking intelligence to the Russian themselves in 2017.

Because, this is what OIG said in its report:

“At the time, the OIG also was aware of Comey’s June 8, 2017 congressional testimony that he had authorized a friend (who was also one of his personal attorneys) to provide the contents of one of the Memos to a reporter for The New York Times. Upon completing our investigation, we provided our factual findings to the Department for a prosecutorial decision regarding Comey’s conduct. See 5 U.S.C.A. App. 3 § 4(d). After reviewing the matter, the Department declined prosecution” (OIG – ‘Report of Investigation of Former Federal Bureau of Investigation Director James Comey’s Disclosure of Sensitive Investigative Information and Handling of Certain Memoranda’ August 2019).

Therefore, when the President and his White House is continuing their campaign to tarnish Comey. They are clearly not looking to what they did themselves. Because the Memo’s was retroactively turned into classified documents. Comey did act wrong and keep them in counsel wrong, as protocol and status of the documents, which belongs to the FBI as long as your an employee of the agency.

So, Comey is not righteous, but the proof is that he will not be charged for this. Because, there is no case in the first place. If there was one, the FBI and OIG would file one. However, they don’t, but why will not Trump and his White House do the same investigation into their own leakages and secret meetings with Putin. If Trump himself has leaked sensitive classified intelligence to Russians. If so, isn’t that wrong?

This is not even leaking a private memo, before its classified and secret by the FBI. But, Trump heard intelligence and later told it to Russians like nothing. That has gone out of the window. Like a forgotten tale of old-ages. That is why I am so furious about the nonsense of calling Comey a criminal.

When the biggest culprit is already in office and having the executive role of government. That his running around like crazy, calling everyone criminal, while his the biggest one himself and he knows it. But his acting like a saint, but we know otherwise. Peace.

Uganda-Rwanda Tension Part VIII: A look into the Parliament Report on the closure of Uganda-Rwanda Border

On the 23^rd August 2019, the Minister of State for East African Community Julius Wandera Maganda sent the report on the Closure of Uganda-Rwanda Border. This report has been made to update the EAC Committee. Still, the public deserves to get the numbers and the gist of the closure. What it really means in the hard numbers and with the cross-border trade.

Clearly, the closure has had an affect on both republics. As the Report states are that:

“Following the closure of Cyanika, Katuna and Mirama Hills Border Posts on the 27th Feb 2019 by the Republic of Rwanda, as part of their mandate, the Ministry of East African Community (MEACA) has undertaken a number of steps as indicated below”.

There has been certainly new rules for entry between Uganda-Rwanda:

“i. There is still free movement of persons (Ugandan Nationals and other Nationalities) to and from Rwanda save for the Rwandan citizens who are only allowed entry and no ex;.t from Rwanda.

ii. The only Rwandan nationals allowed exit from Rwanda from the borders above are the drivers on transit to Kenya and not to Uganda.

iii. It was also noted that the Ugandans who cross to Rwanda only go there mostly to attend Parties or Funerals, and not business as the environment for Ugandan goods and products is hostile.

iv. Whereas Ugandan nationals are allowed to enter Rwanda, it is unfortunate that Ugandan goods/products arc not allowed entry. These are rejected with no reasons given, no rejection notes/documents are provided. Many drivers have suffered the disappointment of being told to turn back to Uganda”

All of this has consequences. Just as the financial implications by this alone. The Ministry can show that in FY 2017/18 value the imports from Rwanda at 160,293,270,436 UGX and in FY 2018/19 it has gone down to 123,338,816,439 UGX. This is downfall of imports of 23.05 % from the last year.

The consequences for the export to Rwanda is also hit. In FY 2017/18 was 585,436,037,282 UGX and in FY 2018/19 is 426,884,832,406 UGX. This is a downfall of export in the amount of 27,08 %. from the last year.

The results of the closure of the border at Katuna has ensured that there was no trucks passing this pass, between March 2019 to the June 2019. When the trucks started to crossover again. Still in a fraction of what was done in the past. Before February 2019, the average inflow and outflow of trucks was above 3000. However, in the months of March to June 2019, there was less than 500 every month. Even ZERO in the months of April and May 2019. Before, the numbers has started to rise, but not more than 300 in June 2019. Surely, One-Tenth is a major change and has affect.

This has resulted in more traffic, within the inflow and outflow at the Mirama Hill. Until February 2019, there was usually about 300 passing in both directions. However after this it was around 2000 trucks passing through every month between March to June 2019. Which is showing that there are blocking of trucks and also the total numbers of trucks passing on both passes is less than 3000 in both directions. That is really hurting the cross-border trade between the Republic’s. It is easy to see.

The closure has had an affect and the new measures on both sides. Has hit the trading, but also general movement. That is visible and surely, would be nice to see what the Rwandan Parliament would write as a counter to the Ugandan side. To see if their have another explanation for this. Peace.

Kenya – Press Statement on the Internationl Day of Victims of Enforced Disappearnaces: Defenders Coalition Condemns the Enforced Disappearance and Killing of Human Rights Defender Esther Mwikali Wambua on 27th August 2019 at Mithini – Murang’a County (30.08.2019)

As Ebola cases reach 3000 in Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), WHO calls on all partners to fulfill promises to communities (30.08.2019)

With a population of 80 million, the Democratic Republic of the Congo has more than 4 million displaced and is home to the world’s second largest food crisis.

GENEVA, Switzerland, August 30, 2019 -As the Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo reaches 3000 cases, WHO calls for the full force of all partners to respond and increase their presence in the field to stop Ebola and to address one of the largest and most complex humanitarian crises in the world.“Our commitment to the people of the Democratic Republic of the Congo is that we will work alongside them to stop the Ebola outbreak,” said WHO Director-General Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.  “Our commitment also means strengthening the health systems to give them all the other things they need. Building strong systems is what will protect people, communities and the world.“

With a population of 80 million, the Democratic Republic of the Congo has more than 4 million displaced and is home to the world’s second largest food crisis with 13 million people food insecure. Since January 2019, there have been outbreaks of cholera (15 331 cases, 287 deaths), measles (161 397 cases, 3117 deaths) and malaria, the leading cause of death in the DRC, which kills more than 48 000 people every year.

Dr Tedros will accompany UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on his mission to the country this weekend, along with senior officials, including Dr Matshidiso Moeti, WHO Regional Director for Africa.

“We are working in an incredibly complex environment, but thanks to support from donors and actions taken by the Ministry of Health, WHO and partners, we have saved thousands of lives,” said Dr Moeti. “We strive towards a much more united approach and call on NGOs and UN partners to continue to accelerate all activities. Everyone has a role to play and we each must be accountable for what we signed up to do, only then will we end this outbreak.”

The outbreak was declared on 1 August 2018. As of 27 August, there have been 2997 cases of Ebola, with 1998 deaths and 893 survivors. Most of the cases are in North Kivu province. In the past 10 weeks, an average of 80 people per week are sickened by the virus.

More than 200 000 people have been vaccinated against Ebola in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, along with health and frontline workers in Uganda, South Sudan, Rwanda and Burundi. Two therapeutic treatments being used in the country as part of a clinical trial have shown to save 9 of 10 lives if used at the right time.

More than 89 million screenings within the country and at international borders have helped control the spread, by identifying and providing care to anyone with symptoms. On 29 August, Ugandan health officials announced confirmation of another case in the country: a child who had crossed over from the Democratic Republic of the Congo. As this alert underlines, regional preparedness will remain key.