Kenya: Press Release on IED Attack on NPS Officers (12.10.2019)

Opinion: Weah’s own goal

President George Weah of Liberia needs to take it easy. Stop for a little moment. Think of why the economy isn’t booming and why the state of things are becoming more troubling. This should be his worry. To fix, ensure that he has the right people around him and not let the rampant corruption continue. Which is the reason for the opposition to pin things on him.

Like Weah should handle this situation, unless his in on it and getting kick-backs too. That would explain why he isn’t doing anything about this: “One of such persons who is revered for the design, operation and protection of such fraudulent scheme in the Liberia Revenue Authority especially of late, is Saa Saamoi, the Customs Commissioner. Mr. Saamoi and others at the LRA have for long used the “duty free” privilege administered by the customs section under the Department of customs to take money from importers in the name of bringing charity goods to the country. One classic scheme in which Mr Saamoi and others have clearly defrauded the system of thousands of dollars was when- Sabaru Enterprise located in Redlight, Paynesville, obtained permit from the Ministry of Commerce and BIVAC to import 15 containers (7,500 bags) of flour into Liberia” (Aaron T. Massaquoi – ‘Liberia: Unveiling Saa Saamoi the “Ghost” in LRA Swallowing Gov’t Revenue under the Cloud of Darkness As Thousands of Civil Servants Go Unpaid for Months’ 06.10.2019).

That is if Weah cares about the tax-base, the money generating activities that can build a sustainable nation. Unless, his more preoccupied with feeding himself and his cronies. What he might be proactively doing. Since, the freshest news isn’t good governance or care for the state. No, its silencing critics.

On Thursday, the Roots FM got closed by the state for its controversial radio show The Costa Show, which is known for critiquing the President. That has clearly hit some feelings and hurt the pride of the President. This is why the President sent the police and ex-rebel “General Power” closed the radio. Ceased broadcasting equipment and other things in the raid of the radio. Surely, this was all done as a sign of what the state will do its critics. But everyone cannot afford to trade their services “duty free”.

Weah shouldn’t think his so wise, that he can get rid of the people behind the Costa Show or anything else. Not like the President has answered the Council of Patriots calls earlier, but not that its has the ability to stay relevant for long either. Maybe, that was Weah’s gamble on that one.

However, Weah shouldn’t silence his critics, he should answer them with actions and speeches. He should answer them with the same coin. Even if they are steady bashing him 24/7. His in office serving the ones that praise him and the ones that loathes him. That comes with the office he serves.

In addition, its only weakness seeing the Roots FM and The Costa Show being silenced. When, the state state is too easy to question. When there is enough cronies and questionable acts done. Than, the critics can just blindly follow the money and the lack of it. They can just pin-point the lacking institutional procedure, the lack of protocol and the sudden ghosts. If that is too easy. Than, the the Weah administration should look into that. Not go after the messenger.

Weah went for the ones spreading the word to the grapevine. Not the ones who did the deed or even shared the spoils. No, he send his enforcers to the ones broadcasting the acts of his government. This is a sign, that the office he has is to big for him. Since, he cannot muster or have the credibility to carry its weight. That he got to use the power, the influence and the officers of the state to cease a radio station.

That is the Weah of 2019. Weah of 2019 needs to chill or if not, he needs to fix what his government is missing. Because, clearly by his actions. There is a lot and its not the Roots FM fault. It is all of his own. Peace.

RDC: Comite Laic de Coordination (CLC) – La marche pacifique du 19 octobre 2019 contre la corruption, l’impunite et l’impuissance de la justice (10.10.2019)

Opinion: PM Abiy’s stumbling blocks ahead

Even as the Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed Ali been awarded the Nobel Peace Prize yesterday for his action and his part in the peace agreement with Eritrea. It is still not insignificantly what is erupting in Ethiopia. As his coalition of parties in the Ethiopian People’s Revolutionary Defence Force (EPRDF) is working ahead of the election of 2020. While the ethnic federalism is showing signs of trouble ahead.

If we will get a look into the actions of reform, how it challenges certain parts of the EPRDF, and especially the TPLF. As the challenges ahead of the up-coming election. Will show if there will be more internal squabbling or not. We can also see the rising levels of the Internal displaced people and last the need of reforms of the security organizations in the Republic.

Weakend the state:

Abiy’s reforms were expected to address Ethiopia’s vulnerabilities, speeding up democratisation and economic growth. Yet they weakened the state even further. With the TPLF losing its grip on power and being replaced by Oromo leadership, centrifugal forces, claims of self-determination and aspirations of other ethnic groups increased, leading to clashes”(Giovanni Faleg – ‘Resetting Ethiopia: Will the state heal?’2019).

IDPs:

About 2.9 million new displacements associated with conflict were recorded in 2018, the highest figure recorded worldwide. Despite many important and positive political changes that took place in the country in 2018, old conflicts became more entrenched and new conflicts escalated along various state borders. Disasters also triggered 296,000 new displacements, most of them associated with flooding and drought in the Somali region. In the first half of 2019, about 755,000 new displacements were recorded, 522,000 associated with conflict and 233,000 associated with disasters” (Internal Displacement Monitoring Centre – Ethiopia).

Reforming Security Sector:

Reforms in the security sector, including the judiciary, the police, as well as the civil service are essential –and should be conducted at the federal, regional, zone, woreda, and kebele levels. The intention of Dr.Abiy to “restructure the security forces” and“dissolve the Liyu police” of the Somali region may be a step in the right direction. These reforms may be considered in other regions as well. However, deeper reform in the security sector may be needed to ensure that the complex configuration of security forces –military, federal police, regional police, regional special police, and militia –will effectively cooperate in addressing ethnic violence, rather than fanning its flames. The creation of a whole-of-government strategy for preventing and countering violent extremism would offer an important contribution to this. It would bring together the relevant government ministries and institutions, and outline clear responsibilities and priorities to address the issue of ethnic extremism” (Dr. Yonas Adaye Adeto – ‘Preventing violent extremism in the Horn: The case of ethnic extremism in Ethiopia’ July 2019).

So, the Nobel Laureate has now a lot of work ahead. There is worrying signs, which is old problems entangled in the reactions to the acts done by this Prime Minister. PM Abiy never had it easy, his acts has shown good signs, but still heavy slopes to cross before his come to terms with everything.

This is a balancing act, which very few would succeed. There are plenty of traps, possible short-falls and lack of results. However, the PM did well with the peace agreement made with Eritrea. Even if his not alone doing, as it was prepared by the previous leadership and also in accordance with the Eritrean counterparts. What will also be interesting, if this man who works for peace will able to configure the trouble ahead of the up-coming election.

Because, the ethnic violence, the government sanctioned one and the in-action, which has made certain damning results. The amount of displaced people, the rising conflicts between ethnic groups on their borders of their regions. Combined with lack of support and ensure that this doesn’t happen. The PM could have done more with this, as he could follow advice on reforming certain part of security organizations. This shouldn’t be hidden, as the share amount of people whose hurt by these actions should worry the EPRDF and the PM.

All of these acts is not a sign of strength, but of a weakened state. Unless, the PM addresses this and looks into it. Unless, he is earning political capital from certain parties while making them fighting each other. But that should be a gamble, nobody wanting to play. Especially, someone who wants to look as a man for peace and not a person who is possibly triggering groups against each other. Peace.

Guinea: Communique de l’Etat-Major General des Armees (11.10.2019)

RDC: CLC lettre du Gouverneur de la Ville Province de Kinshasa – Objet: Information marche du Comite Laic du Coordination (11.10.2019)

RDC: Union pour la Nation Congolaise (UNC) – Declaration de la Federation des Jeunes Ville de Goma de l’Union pour la Nation Congolaise (12.10.2019)

Uganda: Letter to Dr. Rose N. Lukwago – Interdiction from Exercising the duties and functions of your office (11.10.2019)

RDC: Communique de l’Ambassade de la Republique Democratique du Congo a Bruxelles – 11 Octobre 2019 (11.10.2019)

IGAD Executive Secretary sends message of congratulations to Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed on receiving the Nobel Peace Prize 2019 (11.10.2019)