Opinion: Imbonerakura will be significant in the run-up to 2020

At this point of time, the CNDD-FDD and President Pierre Nkurunziza will defeat anyone that oppose as a threat to his hegemony. At this point and time, the youth-league, the para-military fraction of CNDD-FDD, the Imbonerakura will use violence and intimidation to seal the deal for the party.

This is known, and there is steady reports of usage of machetes, arbitrary arrests and kidnappings of the opposition. The Imbonerakura together with the authorities is doing this. There are released picture of the deceased, the hurt and the ones that has been violated by them.

That will continue, as the FNL, CNL and Ex-FAB will get into trouble by these people, who are working hard to show loyalty and patriotic means to the state. Their patriotism is proven in violence, not only in words, but in actions.

This here is a worrying sign, something that has continued since the Elections of 2015. A state of fear and intimidation, where people vanish and disappear. Where people are suddenly gone and not heard from. That is the reality we’re in.

This will not change, as much as the “donations to the Elections 2020” will continue too. That is what this government do, and it uses the Imbonerakura to silence the opposition. The paramilitary youth-wing is used to make people stop. That is their mission and therefore, the CNDD-FDD accepts that it does to their opposition.

Nkurunziza is living well on the fate of many people, as he is the guiding star and big-man, that everyone is supposed to follow. That is just the way it is in Burundi.

The Imbonerakura is just a manifestation of his drive to stay in power. Peace.

Raila Odinga through his advocates writes a demand letter to Nation Media Group (19.08.2019)

Opinion: The Repealing of the ECA of 1972 is a sign of a ‘No-Deal’

The British doesn’t like their government to care of their interest. The British are preoccupied with a government not shield the public, but saving their own careers. The Tories and Prime Minister Boris Johnson is busy-bodies, trying to sell a “No-Deal” as the offer and the gateway out of the European Union Membership. Without considering the implications or the costs of doing so.

PM Johnson is going for a train-crash and saying “jolly ho”. There is like a oblivious approach to the end-game of Brexit. It is like they think they can damage the partnership, the border-trade, the lack of protocol and the significance of becoming a third-country state towards the EU. There is no well planned aftermath, just damage-control. The damage-control in a sense of trying to spin the news and not tell the true hurt of the possible No-Deal.

The Operation Yellowhammer wasn’t a pipe-dream. It is the real affect of the No-Deal. The lack of procedure, preparedness or even delivery for the imports and exports of goods. Will ensure that the transfer of funds, the costs of living and the lack of checks, will in the make things harder. Because, the state and businesses are not ready for the 31st October 2019. Even if the state has had all the years plus the bonus given previous PM May. The Tories have squandered the time without offering any solace.

Look:

Speaking after signing the legislation that will crystallise in law the upcoming repeal of the ECA, the Secretary of State for Exiting the EU Steve Barclay said: “This is a clear signal to the people of this country that there is no turning back – we are leaving the EU as promised on October 31, whatever the circumstances – delivering on the instructions given to us in 2016“ (…) “That is what we are doing by setting in motion that repeal. This is a landmark moment in taking back control of our laws from Brussels” (Department for Exiting the European Union – ‘Brexit Secretary signs order to scrap 1972 Brussels Act – ending all EU law in the UK’ 18.08.2019).

With that in mind, lets show one vital provision from the repealed law in question.

European Communities Act of 1972 Section 2:

(2) Subject to Schedule 2 to this Act, at any time after its passing Her Majesty may by Order in Council, and any designated Minister or department may [F2by order, rules, regulations or scheme] , make provision—

(a) for the purpose of implementing any [F3EU obligation] of the United Kingdom, or enabling any such obligation to be implemented, or of enabling any rights enjoyed or to be enjoyed by the United Kingdom under or by virtue of the Treaties to be exercised; or

(b) for the purpose of dealing with matters arising out of or related to any such obligation or rights or the coming into force, or the operation from time to time, of subsection (1) above”.

It is okay and within all common sense, that the Tories, the HM Government or the United Kingdom doesn’t want to directly comply or follow the legislation of Brussels past the membership of the EU. However, what they are doing is more significant in the ways. That instead of following the EU and their standards. The UK are planning to make it all on their own. Meaning, the EU standards and UK standards will differ; An in the end, the parties will have to find a way to find a middle-ground. Nevertheless, that will not be overnight, neither will the UK be able to overpower or get the 26 Member-states to follow a single outside unit. That is what will happen.

Instead of being another state who follows and who does as the legislators does in Brussels, which is made in tandem with all member-states. The UK will be an outside sovereign, who has to by no means to follow the EU. However, if they want to trade with the EU, like everyone else. They have to comply to their standards and the ideals of the free-trading paradigm it has set forth.

The repeal of this law is a clear sign, not a hogwash statement. But a proof of the intent and the sudden sign of a “no-deal” as the only remedy out. That means the lack of legislation and follow-up on the codes from Brussels. Will later make it harder for the trading partners, the exporters and also the ones doing financial transactions to comply with current legislation in the EU.

This means, they will be outsiders, who will not part-take in the statutes, legislation and codes made in the EU. Which is all natural, but by doing so, they will not get the perks as in the past. Even if the Tories sometimes sounds like they can both have cake and eat it. Peace.

Sudan: A long journey ahead, even with the signed agreement

I want to be hopeful and see the best results, as the Transitional Military Council and the Forces for Freedom the Declaration of Change (FFC) signed a constitutional agreement. Which entails stipulated codes, power-sharing and timeline for a possible peaceful transition post Omar Al-Bashir.

However, the generals and warlords of the military, the ones who has been the henchmen of the 30 year old dictatorship still lingers in power. They will still have seats and command authority in the Sovereign Council. This being the likes of Gen. Mohammed Hamdan Dagalo aka Hemiti. The man whose been in-charge of Janjaweed or the Rapid Support Force. Which is known for its brutality and senseless killings in several of states in Sudan. Therefore, with the likes of him around, he will surely not give way easy to any civilian.

That’s why I am afraid that the ones in the TMC and the ones whose close allies to Al-Bashir, see this transition period and this temporary council as a bargain-chip, also the key thing. It buying time and legitimacy. As the African Union, European Union, Arabian allies and others are supporting the Constitutional Declaration and the transitional period. Without any consequences to the old guard, that did all the shady work for the previous leader. They get away with it, without even costing them anything.

So, yesterday was the signing, the handshakes, the beautiful speeches and the glimmers of hope. What time will show, if these people actually will usher in civilian rule or configure ways to takeover. The generals, the warlords of the TMC will surely use all their tricks in their possession to get the upper-hand. It would be shocking if otherwise.

Let me be clear, I hope for peace and civilian rule, where the justice prevails, where the liberty and freedom of the citizens are there. I really do, but with certain elements still lingering around. I am not sure if they want that to succeed. Because, that initially means they will loose power and have to listen to civilians telling them how to move. I am not sure if they want to shaken by them or even questioned by them. Especially, since they been allowed by previous leadership to roam around without any fear or intimidation. As long as they are loyal to the President.

That is why I am worried and hopeful. I hope for a better tomorrow. A place within the timeline of the agreement. That military becomes a tool of securing the territory and not a tool of oppression. I hope that the allies in the FFC with other units of civilian organizations gets the opportunity to run a civilian run government. However, that is a long-shot, it is built in the hope, that the henchmen and the warlords, actually stick this to agreement. That is what I am not so certain about, but I hope I am wrong. Peace.

Zimbabwe: Royal Crown Council – Press Statement on the Jailing of Chief Ndiweni (17.08.2019)

Brexit: Opposition MPs letter to Prime Minister Boris Johnson (17.08.2019)

Opinion: Yoweri, isn’t it weird that a “fresher” could afford to buy a farm?

If my memory servers me correctly, the year of 1967. President Yoweri Kagute Museveni started his studies in Dar Es Salaam, in the United Republic of Tanzania. Me as a student myself, wasn’t right nor wealthy. Unless, you had some relatives donating you a farm or giving you land.

However, you say as a new student and as a youth. Your where capable of buying a farm. Sorry, brother, but I am not buying it.

Horan Nsubuga is saying my clansmen have grown wealthy by stealing and not by engaging in wealth creation through commercial agriculture, industry, services, ICT. Mr. Nsubuga, I bought Rwakitura in 1967. Whose money could I have stolen then? What power did I have” – Yoweri Kagtua Museveni (17.08.2019).

One thing not adding up:

His new palatial home at Rwakitura is seen as his castle. And he certainly treats it like one. He makes a point of inviting foreign royalty, while they are visiting Uganda, to meet him there” (GRACE PATRICK KARAMURA – ‘THE INTERPLAY OF CHRISTIANITY, ETHNICITY AND POLITICS IN ANKOLE, UGANDA, 1953-1993’ December 1998).

Hope Kivengere reports: “Kampala — In his article “Paying For Africa’s Presidential Home” (The Monitor, Nov. 27), Abel Munanura wanted to know whether Rwakitura, President Yoweri Museveni’s home, was a state lodge or a state country home like Chequers in Britain or Camp David in the US. He also wanted to know who maintains Rwakitura and who feeds visitors who go there. Munanura also wondered why there is security maintenance at Rwakitura even when the President is not there” (Kiyengere – ‘Uganda: Government owns latrines only in Rwakitura’ 11.12.1999, Daily Monitor).

Secondly after his time at the Dar Es Salaam University, he got the job as Assistant Secretary at Research at the Office of the President, where he joined the General Service Unit, which was a part of the Intelligence Community until the coup of 1971. This means he had the job for briefly over a year from 1970-71, as he studied in Dar from 1967-70. The same time he should have the capacity to pay off the farm. Secondly, he also only had a minor job in the Foreign Affairs, before Obote gave him a better job in 1970 after graduating.

Therefore, with all of this mine, I will debunk this. I don’t see how a student, who got the scholarship thanks to the goodwill of Obote sending letters to Nyerere. Secondly, how he would manage to get the funds to purchase it, while pursuing his studies. Where he started law, but ended up with political science instead.

We only got words, but its all a bit sketchy at best, that a new fresher, a student of Suubi kind get the ability to buy a farm at this time. That’s just me though. Unless he inherited it from his family or grabbed the land. That seems more likely, than a poor student buying a farm. Peace.

Somalia: Special Representative James Swan letter to the Jubaland Electoral Commission (17.08.2019)

Displaced by DR Congo violence, survivors’ testimonies highlight brutality of armed militia (16.08.2019)

General view of the ISP camp for internally displaced people next to the General Hospital in Bunia.

Severe underfunding for aid work and insecurity involving the Hema and Lendu groups have meant that increasing numbers are vulnerable.

NEW YORK, United States of America, August 16, 2019 – Two months since hundreds of thousands of people fled violence in north-eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), UN humanitarians warned on Friday that armed militia continue to make their safe return impossible.

Briefing journalists in Geneva, UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR) Spokesperson Babar Baloch, said that staff had heard numerous testimonies from people whose family members had been killed in Ituri province.

Severe underfunding for aid work and insecurity involving the Hema and Lendu groups have meant that increasing numbers are vulnerable and unable even to go home to pick up essentials, he added.

“These people are not even able to return,” Mr. Baloch said. “Many of them have reported people who have tried – or relatives who have tried – to return to their villages and to their homes have been reportedly attacked and killed.” 

Ebola efforts hindered by mass displacement of people ‘on the run’

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), the mass displacement of people “on the run” has also hindered efforts to tackle the year-old Ebola virus outbreak.

Latest data from the UN health agency published on Thursday indicated a total of 2,842 Ebola infections and 1,905 deaths in DRC’s Ituri and Nord Kivu provinces, with an overall fatality rate of 67 per cent.

“The (Ebola) treatment centres are operational and the scenario of people – a highly mobile population on the run – is something that has been underlying in this response since the beginning, which is why it is so difficult to end it,” said WHO spokesperson Christian Lindmeier.

Evidence of beheadings, several massacres

The Hema and Lendu communities have a history of extreme violence in Ituri.

In late June, the UN Human Rights office, OHCHR, reported attacks on “multiple villages” in Djugu and Mahagi territories, where investigators found evidence of several massacres where some victims had been beheaded.

Information gathered by the UN “seems to indicate that despite the attackers reportedly belong to one community, and the victims to others, there appear to be additional political and economic motives underlying the assaults”, OHCHR said in a statement at the time.

In the latest violence, attacks and counter-attacks forced people to flee Djugu territory, UNHCR said, adding that both communities had reportedly formed self-defence groups and carried out revenge killings.

“In the last three weeks of June alone, more than 145,000 newly displaced people sought safety and assistance in the displacement sites across Ituri, while 215,000 were estimated to have fled to the neighbouring areas,” Mr. Baloch said, in line with UNHCR’s earlier statements highlighting widespread displacement in late 2017 and early 2018 in three of Ituri’s five administrative territories: Djugu, Mahagi and Irumu.

“Difficulties with access in some places and the large area from which people have fled means the real figure is difficult to verify,” the UNHCR official warned. “Thousands have continued to flee since, although at lower rates.”  

While most of the displaced have found shelter with host communities, tens of thousands have been forced to find shelter where they can.

Squalid camps, where fear rules

“Fear and squalor” prevail in displacement camps, Mr. Baloch insisted, adding that many “are forced to sleep in the open”. 

In Drodro, a relatively small town that has seen its population triple in just a few weeks, “local schools and churches have transformed into large, squalid dormitories,” he said, noting that UNHCR has built emergency hangars for those sleeping in the open, and individual shelters for the most vulnerable.

Funding for this humanitarian crisis remains critically low, however, and UNHCR is appealing to the international community to come forward with further funding and allow humanitarian organizations to provide basic, life-saving assistance.

So far this year, UNHCR has received only 32 per cent of the $150 million needed for its operations.

Opinion: War-Lord Mzee gets a nice cut out of South Sudan!

Well, this is just one of them days, as we know that President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni has for long invested in Juba, in the Sudanese People’s Liberation Army/Movement (SPLA/M) and in President Salva Kiir Mayardit. This is well known, but IGAD memo is revealing a sinister approach, which is not surprising, knowing how the UPDF have been involved and the arms trade to Juba from Kampala. All of these things combined with the leaked memo today. Shows a pattern and a approach to conflict, not to generate peace, but actually be a merchant of death.

The warlord Museveni have found a weapon brother in Kiir. They have both earned and profited from the business they have done together. Now, the amounts and speculated earnings are coming to the surface. President Museveni and the cadres around him needs this source of income and will not jeopardize that. Not at this point and time. That is why his a threat, because what would he do, if the gravy-train stopped pumping. Have people considered that?

Take a look!

The documented dated August 15, 2019, claims that the Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni is the real threat to peace in South Sudan and that South Sudan has become the second source on income for the Ugandan leader. “We [IGAD] are playing with our minds. There will never be peace in South Sudan as long as other IGAD member states keep quiet. The real threat in South Sudan is Uganda, and we must confront Uganda if we want peace to return to South Sudan,” the seemingly frustrated IGAD official wrote. “One million dollar a month is the one keeping Uganda in South Sudan. This new country is now the second source of Museveni finance,” the source claims” (South Sudan News Agency – ‘Leaked memo: Uganda is the real threat to peace in South Sudan’ 16.08.2019).

We know, Museveni have used the UPDF without a mandate in South Sudan over a long time. We know he has sold and traded arms, equipment for warfare, even as the UN arms embargo has persisted. Therefore, we know his reckless in concern of profits and using the army as a bargain-chip for fresh funds.

Now, we know, that the IGAD, one of the negotiating bodies which the R-ARCSS process going through is questioning the motives of President Museveni in South Sudan. This means, that the neighbour is a threat and a possible hazard for the peace-process. As they know, that the Warlord of Uganda, will not give up his money or his profits of the hurt in South Sudan. That is the sort of man he is and that is why, he will find ways to “resolve” his bottlenecks and get paid-in-full on the weaponized enterprises in South Sudan.

Surely, this leaked memo says it all. The warnings and the UN Experts Reports has been validated by this. Peace.