
Hong Kong: Polytechnic University – Emergency Message from PolyU (17.11.2019)







This is just me thinking freely, not having the answers as an outsider looking in. It is not like I understand all the players nor the objectives behind the merger. But too me, this seems like a step in a ONE-Party state direction. The idea might to have a party, which isn’t directly bound by region/ethnicity, like all the parties of the Ethiopian People’s Revolutionary Democratic Front (EPRDF) was.
That with the party of Amhara, the party of Oromo, the party of the Southern Ethiopia, and the party for the Tigray. This being the ADP, ODP, TPLF and SEPDM. All of them merged into the Ethiopian Prosperity Party (EPP) seems like a trick to get one unit and centralize power. That is what looks to me. Instead of having other outfits and parties with their own constitution and their policies for their regions. This is to have one party and one organization instead of several.
I have a feeling there will be deflections, as someone will not follow this model and this vision. Everyone will not follow the line. There will be renegades at the Council of Ministers and within the Parliament. Who feel overshadowed and feel left behind. They will feel tricked and exposed for their lack of progressive thinking. Even if this opens up doors, which the EPP doesn’t seem to think off.
The EPP might be a good idea, but the structure, the ability to guide and lead within this paradigm shift. Will cost. The Prime Minister and his closest associates will be tested. Because, they still have to find a solution where all the old parties are embedded in the new big-party. Where they are not a coalition, but one party. They got to give way and give positions to everyone. Therefore, this will not be an easy trade.
Lastly, there are other parties in Ethiopia. There are a 57 opposition parties, but its not like the EPRDF nor the EPP have listen to them. Not like the Parliament is without other parties, but they are dominated by the ruling parties, which it has been for so long. There are the Coalition for Unity and Democracy, also the United Ethiopian Democratic Forces. So, its not like there is other parties in the Parliament, but they got no say. Just like the new election laws whose in favour of the old coalition and the new party.
That’s why my mind goes to the idea of the EPP is in a way of launching a one-party state. Nothing else. I might be wrong, but the other parties doesn’t have the state machinery behind them nor the other helpful ways of appointing people into the judiciary and the electoral body. That’s why I am thinking this is another way of having what I worry about.
I hope I am dead wrong, but to initially make the coalition into a party is a first step. Especially since it has the parliamentary majority and with anticipation that it will have that after the election in 2020. To think otherwise is naive and the plans for that is in the making. Peace.

“Those who don’t know history are doomed to repeat it.” – Edmund Burke
We have seen this movie before, we have seen the pledges and the promises. The Electoral Commission, the lack of electoral reform or even the lack of level playing field is a own going saga that the National Resistance Movement (NRM) and President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni continues to sing.
What we can expect that Museveni wins the 2021. If he doesn’t win, than there is something wrong with the world order, the mountains of Rwenzori will fall down and Lake Victoria will not have water. We just know that NRM and Museveni will win as long as he breathes. Mr. 1986 will not loose an election. The EU can play around, but Museveni believes his justified to rule and everyone is supposed to listen to him.
Therefore, the continued promises and pledges of free and fair elections is pointless. The ballots, he charade and the whole campaigning is the same story. The majority, the securing the MPs and the Parliament is in the cards, as well as making it impossible for an viable opposition candidate to actually win. That because the deck is stacked against anyone before the posters, before the parties are organized and the slogans are prepared. It is all a buffet ready for the Fountain of Honour.
Just look through a brief history. A very brief history.
Elections 2011:
“In February, the European Union envoy to Uganda said the country was behind schedule to ensure free and fair elections in 2011, while the US Congress directed Secretary of State Hillary Clinton in January to “closely monitor preparations” for the poll. “We know what we are doing. If there is anything that needs to be done. If there is anybody who knows how it should be done, it is us, not anybody else,” Museveni said” (Capital FM Kenya – ‘Museveni against poll observers’ 12.04.2010).
“The head of EU Democratisation and Elections Unit, Ms Malgorzata Wasilewska told Speaker of Parliament Edward Ssekandi that implementation of the recommendations of the 2006 observers report must be used as a guide to ensure free and fair elections. The EU team was meeting the Speaker in his office at parliament to discuss issues related to the 2011 general elections” (Yasiin Mugerwa – ‘Uganda: European Union Observers Warn On 2011 Elections’ 09.11.2010).
Elections 2016:
“The incumbent and the ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM) presidential candidate Yoweri Museveni has assured the European Union (EU) election monitoring team in Uganda that the forthcoming national elections will be free, fair and will be conducted without any form of violence. The President met the European Union election monitoring team led by their team leader and chief observer Mr. Eduard Kukan who called on him at his country home in Rwakitura in Kiruhuura district. The delegation was accompanied by the European Union head of delegation in Uganda Mr. Kristian Schmidt” (Daily Monitor – ‘Museveni assures EU observers free and fair elections’ 17.01.2016).
Elections 2021:
“President Museveni said Saturday that government government is committed to ensuring free and fair elections ahead of 2021. According to him, relevant government organs are handling the necessary reforms are needed ahead of the elections. “On the political situation in the country ahead of 2021 elections, the government is committed to ensuring free and fair elections. Relevant government organs are handling the necessary reforms are needed ahead of the elections,” Mr Museveni tweeted on Saturday after meeting with the European Union delegation in Uganda led by the EU Ambassador to Uganda Attilio Pacific” (Daily Monitor – ‘Government committed to ensuring free and fair elections in 2021, says Museveni’ 16.11.2019).
What is very special about this, that the rebel who went into the bush because of supposed alleged election rigging 1980 elections. Has ever since done the same thing for himself and his cronies. The President knows his made his bed in 1996, 2000 (referendum), 2001, 2005 (referendum), 2006, 2011 and 2016. So, the man was elected five terms, but plan another 6th term, but has been ruling for another decade. Which means he has two more terms 1986-1991 and 1991-1996. These has to count, that is why it should be the President’s 8th Term.
However, we are seeing the same story. A story we have heard before, where the EU and other outside donors get promises and pledges. The EU and US get to hear what they want to hear. His telling them a sugar-coated tale of sweethearts and love. But the disaster and fear is in-coming.
The NRM and Museveni will use all tools at his disposal to get another term. To think otherwise is naive and stupid. The man will use ghosts, militias (LDUs/Crime Preventers) and the army to secure another term. The President has his appointed men in the Electoral Commission and the Judiciary, all ready to serve him. There is no middle ground or no outcome to say otherwise. Other than an upcoming, expensive charade and with a swearing-in ceremony filled with fellow dictators like last time. That is the what is at stake.
The EU can entertain this and accept the pledges. It is a new EU team, they might swallow it up and think its all good. But it isn’t and it will not be. There is no scruples in what Museveni will do to cling-on to power. Nothing. Use the Special Force Command, Flying Squad and the ISO to silence opposition, get activists behind bars in the DRC and so-on. There is nothing he will not do, if it matters the most.
His thrown and no-one, else than him is supposed to be their. Free and fair? Nah, more of the playing the facade and hope these white-men doesn’t catch the gig. Peace.





