Opinion: Why are there no accountability with the drone strikes in Somalia?

I know this is a special subject. One that I don’t have the insights or the oversights over. As the number are sketchy at best. What is worst is the lack of real numbers of the civilians and innocent bystanders to the United States Drone Strikes in the Federal Republic of Somalia. Where the FGS and AMISOM is allowing the continuing strikes to occur.

In 2019 alone there is reported about 52 drone strikes in Somalia alone. Total killed about: 315-325. Civilians killed: 0-6. Children killed: 0-1. People reported injured: 0. These numbers are from the Bureau of Investigative Journalism. However, they are portraying the same numbers the press releases from the U.S. Africom does in Somalia. Therefore, these numbers aren’t everything, but only a fragment and the narrative the U.S. want to portray. I have hard time believe so few civilians are hit by all of these. Some are even claiming there was 55 drone strikes in 2019. That’s why numbers are hard to get verified and correct answers too.

The amounts of strikes has grown during the Presidency of Trump. Since being elected in 2016. In 2015, there was 11 strikes. In 2016 it risen to 14 and 2017 it went to 35. In 2018 it was 45 and last year it was 52. That shows an rise in usage and targeted approach by the Trump Presidency to use drone attacks in Somalia. It has gone from 11 in 2015 to 52 last year. That is over 4 times more in just four years.

Just like they sent three air-strikes on the 29th December 2019 and a new drone attacks on the 3rd January 2020. Who knows when the next ones is happening, but it will be nearly one every week and some extra surplus ones to add for the weeks in the year of 2020.

What is striking in this case is that the U.S. Africom, AMISOM and SNA doesn’t drop the real numbers from the strikes. I have hard time to believe the numbers of civilians and such from 2019. There got to be dark numbers, as the times we have looked into the numbers dropped from the strikes and the ones from the Al-Shabaab. They have differed, by all reasons the Al-Shabaab want it either to look bad or score points when they attack others. Therefore, all numbers has to be questioned from what story the armed parties want to tell.

What I cannot solve or resolve is the lack of numbers, also that the problematic issues of this. Also, bugging for a guy like me, does the U.S. Africom ask FGS before all of the drone strikes happening or do they do it on their own? .

Also, what I wonder about, does the U.S. Congress look into the actions and the usage of the drones in Somalia? Does the Lower House of Somalia accept these drone strikes? Does the Upper House accept it? Has AMISOM and UNSOM any say in it? Finally, does Villa Somalia silently let it all happen or do they accept the drones too?

I am just wondering, why there isn’t a bigger discussion on the value of the drones, does it help or is a damaging routine of the U.S. Africom in Somalia? Do the FGS accept these actions or are they bound by UNSOM/AMISOM mission there. I don’t have the answers, but I am wondering. While I got questions about the numbers that are kept in the dark. Because, I have doubt these drones hasn’t hit civilians in a larger scale. Since it doesn’t make sense to me. Peace.

Moses Kuria, the troublemaker gotten into more trouble…

Now, there is change of things and it changes swiftly, the former masters of all fate and the ones in closest circles of power. Suddenly fall astray and looses their feet. Moses Kuria MP is a man whose been able to run away from asking for the assassination of Raila Odinga and also manhunt for all opposition voters in Kiambu after the 8th August 2017.

This weekend, Kuria has been behind bars, even as the Court Orders was saying he was supposed to be free. Even then he had to pay bail and was free this evening on Saturday 11th January 2020. After wanting to go on hunger-strike and everything behind bars. However, have a hard time feeling sorry for him. Especially, if the allegations of assault against a woman is true. Because, men with power and ability can easily misuse it.

He has already gotten away with hate-speech several of times with only small scratches. He has not answered for his hateful words, his direct attacks on the opposition and Odinga. Moses knows this and he has gotten off the hook, again and again.

This time might be different. Since his not as vital or important anymore. His not that useful and his starting to attack his own government. Moses is one of DP Ruto’s men and that allegiance clearly doesn’t pay-off. As his seemingly alone in this. He got tear-gassed with other MPs and wasn’t freed still. His suffering now, is what the NASA MPs and other had to pay in 2016 and 2017. When he wished them all ill, as he was the upper-echelon guy.

If Kuria thought the adventure and the fairytale would last forever. He was wrong, as politics is a fickle thing. Moses should know this, as Kalonzo and Odinga has been able to get power and appointments, even as they not in government. But are semi-there now.

Kuria should know the handshake changed the political landscape and the BBI has given game to ODM. Now, Kuria as the one hand of the Jubilee, have to walk differently.

What is really rich about his situation this weekend. Is that he went from this on Thursday: “On 9th January, 2020 the Chamber President Mr. Ngatia hosted Hon. Moses Kuria in his office where they discussed the importance of Foreign Direct Investment in improving emerging market opportunities” (KNCCI – ‘COURTESY VISIT BY HON. MOSES KURIA TO THE CHAMBER PRESIDENT’ 09.01.2020).

On the 10th January 2020 the DCI reported this: “Gatundu South MP Hon. Moses Kuria was today morning arrested by DCI Kenya Detectives based at DCI Kilimani following an Assault report lodged against him on 10th December, 2019. He is currently being held in lawful custody as further investigations ensue” (DCI Kenya, 10.01.2020).

There after he was tear-gassed and also held until Saturday 11th January on bail. While he has to show up in Court on the 13th January 2020 to answer the allegations and the charges made against him. Kuria is off the hook on Sunday, but will be back to answer the law on Monday.

Moses surely is not untouchable, the state doesn’t even honour Court Orders in his favour to release him. That happened a day later. Therefore, he know now what it means to have lost power and influence, which he used to have. Kuria is not as great as he wants to be. His an MP and been part of Jubilee, but now that doesn’t matter. He cannot speak without costs and therefore, the law finds him.

He got away before, but not anymore. The reality hits and he still has to answer for the charges and allegations. If they are true, its really bad, if it is fake; its badly made by the ones who alleged them and got him charged.

Moses Kuria is allowed to address Odinga in political manner, his allowed to disown the BBI, but his not allowed to assault anyone. If that charge is made because what I mentioned. Its wrong from the get-go. Kuria MP have spoken ill before, hate-speech and in a manner nobody deserve. Wanted people hunted, assassinated and so-on.

He has put the fate of Odinga on God. Now, he might have start to pray to the same God for salvation and redemption. As he know is in-line of fire. He has the right to speak, but not all sort of vomit. That is something he should know as an Representative. Kuria MP has to act reasonable now.

His not a saint, but doesn’t deserve ill treatment either. But as a lawmaker, he should answer accordingly towards the laws his able to change as MP. Nevertheless, the MP should not breach it himself and think he could get away with. That is why his on thin ice now and with lack of support by many. This because of how his acted in the past and I don’t blame them. It is sort of the chickens coming home to roost.

Moses, you better change yourself. Call the DP and beg forgiveness, maybe beg for mercy even. If the DP will save his soldier. If not, he might have to fall. Who knows, but the MP isn’t a martyr. His just one man, whose time to fall is now. If not, this is a final warning. Maybe he wasn’t prepared for that, but his time has apparently come. Peace.

Comores: Le Mouvement Dawula ya haki (wadzadze wairumbi et chababi Mkombozi) malntient son appel a manifester contre la dictature (10.01.2020)

Niger: Operation Barkhane – Communique de Presse (10.01.2020)

Opinion: Spending the future, today and yesterday…

Well, those where the days before the previous election. When the state and the Parliament wanted show some promise of some sort of laws, which would contain and actually save some of proceeds from the Petroleum Industry. However, we are now in 2020 and the news is out. The UGX 700 billion shillings that the Petroleum Fund had has been used over 3 budgets year.

That with:

2017/18 they spent 125bn

2018/19 they spent 200bn

2019/20 they spent 445bn

Which is in total: 765bn.

What is really more beautiful with this, is the PFMA restrictions and means that both the Bank of Uganda (BoU), the Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development (MoFPED) and the Investment Advisory Committee. All of these had an oversight, plus the Auditor General was supposed to write semi-yearly reports on the status of the Petroleum Fund. So, how come they have run empty. That’s because certainly nobody cared that it was used to contain the shortfall in the growing budgets, instead of what the laws said. Like the part 74 of the PFMA of 2015, which says this.

74. Prohibition on encumbrance of the Petroleum Fund.

(1) The financial assets of the Petroleum Fund including presentor future financial assets shall not be earmarked, pledged, committed,loaned out, or otherwise encumbered by any person or entity.

(2) In this section, “earmarked, pledged, committed, loaned out,or otherwise encumbered by any person or entity” means—

(a) using the financial assets of the Petroleum Fund—

(i)to provide credit to Government, or any other person or entity;

(ii)as collateral for debts, guarantees, commitments or other liabilities of any person or entity; or

(b) borrowing from the reserves of the Petroleum Fund.

(3) Government shall not—

(a) borrow money from the Petroleum Fund; or (b)hold a financial instrument that places or may place aliability or a contingent liability on the Petroleum Fund” (Public Finance Management Act of 2015).

We can see that the government itself used the Petroleum Fund for credit and not what they intended the fund for. Which is a misuse of the own fund it created. Instead of making these instruments and such. They should have just put it straight in the consolidation fund and spent it like drunk seamen. Because, this sort of charade doesn’t make sense.

Why make these sort of laws and don’t follow it? Why try to make a petroleum fund and empty it mere years after making it a thing?

Seems like a fools errand or like a big heist. Instead, the Auditor General, the Bank of Uganda and Minister of Finance all looks like idiots. This is a mess, a self-created mess. Just like the Presidential Handshake. This is a smaller thieving, but thieving never the less. Especially, if the fund should have any meaning.

However, I am not surprised, the state needed to fill their shortfall of revenue and why not do it with the monies already in “one” of your accounts. Because, that is what they did and they did it step by step. Until this year, when they went totally overboard and scraped the whole treasure-chest. Peace.

Opinion: Moses Byamugisha don’t become a punchline like Mabirizi

The ones that remember the independent Presidential Candidate Elton Joseph Mabirizi. He was a punchline and a joke during the Presidential Campaigns during the General Elections of 2016. Now, the previously trying to be a Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) Moses Byamugisha. He has walked in the shadows of other leaders within the FDC, but still has a positive standing there. Worked tirelessly for the activists and youth organizations of the FDC.

Byamugisha has criss-crossed the Republic doing this. He has gone to places where people been detained for the FDC campaigning and fought to get the youths released. Therefore, he has earned his place and hasn’t come out of nowhere.

Still, he should be careful as he now ushers his Presidential Aspirations for 2021. Not because his young and such. He is already mature in the game of politics. His seen and been in the line of fire. As an FDC Official, he knows this and therefore, its daring for him to go out now. Especially, if he plans to challenge Dr. Kizza Besigye and Bobi Wine. Since, he hasn’t the flair they got. But, he got to start somewhere

We know he doesn’t have a big enough political standing in his own party, as both him and Mugisha Muntu both lost to Partick Amuriat Oboi in that election. Even though that starts to be a while ago.

I am wondering if he plans to start his own political pressure group or going independent. Since this is a daring move of him. I admire his aspiration and his will power. But this will cost him. If he makes weak statements and speeches like Mabirizi, he will be youthful punchline this election. He will be the minion fighting kings.

The ideal and will is good in itself. He has aged in politics and been an operative for long. Not like his walking into this naively or blind. Moses knows this and knows parts of this. As his seen what happens and how things are. Therefore, shouldn’t he try to associate himself with others for a while longer. Instead of throwing everything at something that is initially impossible.

It is impossible, because its not like Museveni will loose in 2021. Its not happening, because of popularity or ability to get public engaged. It is because the system is all his and all men are loyal to him. If they doesn’t praise the ground he walks on, they will not get an envelope at the end of the month. Therefore, the costs of standing is not only foolish for anyone.

If your not doing it prove the system is rigged, that you hadn’t a shot in the first place and the ones standing wants to get validated for the public. Because, the race is already closed and we knows whose winning.

That is why I wonder why a man with this potential wants to put his chips in now. He plays with likes of Besigye, Bobi Wine and Museveni. It is not like he has that standing. His more known than Mabirizi was before the campaigns. However, he still not a big-man, but one that has the potential to be there in the future.

Byamugisha, don’t become a punchline. Don’t use this platform for useless spins on social media and in the media. Your hard work and dedication to the youth over the years. Deserves much more. You could even easily run for MP and be respected without any issues in a heartbeat. Like several of the coordinators of the Activists 4 Change (A4C) did in their heyday.

Therefore, this is just me thinking, but not being negative. Just paying my respect to your actions. As you have to answer for these. Just use it wisely, we don’t want remembered like Mabirizi. Feel me? Peace.

Opinion: Bobi Wine and People Power are apparently inhaling wrong

Exhale, inhale, exhale inhale.

Whoosaaah…

Exhale, Inhale, exhale and inhale.

Take a breath. This week been hectic, a mess and the Police Force continues to harass and attack Robert Kyagulanyi aka Bobi Wine and the whole People Power Movement. The People Power are doing everything wrong. They are singing the songs in wrong tones, they are spreading the news of consultations badly and no matter what they does its just negative.

PPM and Bobi Wine are addressed in a manner, which they cannot do anything right. I am sure, the side of road they are driving is wrong. The way they pass into the sub-counties in up-country are apparently in the wrong way. They were driving on the wrong route into Lira and Kasangati. Neither were they able to say “hello” in Gulu. Just like they had to stop the consultation meeting in Adjumani too.

So, it is rich for the Police to say PPM is all wrong and don’t know this correctly. Bobi Wine is blamed for everything. It is just like he could be singing “Put the Blame On Me” by Akon. He could sing that on facebook and that would be real at this point. Because, no matter what Bobi Wine do. His to blame. He cannot cross the country without the Police Force being on his tail. They are prepared and armed to their teeth, with anti-riot police and everything.

That is why today’s statement is really enriching. As they police doesn’t take any blame for violent interceptions. For their pre-emptive arrests and their partisan politicking. Because, these folks and these authorities wouldn’t even side-step on any sudden public gathering around the President nor his campaigning outside of the Election Road Map for 2021.

So, the Police Force better get their act right. They are not acting righteous, but as a partisan force for the regime itself. They are singing a ordinary song, which happens to be a blame game. Bobi Wine should do this and that, but the Police Force did nothing wrong. It sounds insane, with the knowledge of a baby tear-gassed, own police officer shoot with a live-bullet and so-on. More stories are shadowed by the sealing of venues and tear-gassing towns across the Republic. But the Police Force will stand-up for that. Because, that mean they would pay for their sins, which they will not do.

Only, PPM and Bobi Wine is to blame. They got to be careful, while the Police Force can a vile force of venom and poisoning the political climate. They can poison the wells, but blame the public from drinking it. By all means, that doesn’t make sense.

So, exhale, inhale, exhale and inhale.

Whooosaa.

Exhale, inhale, exhale and inhale.

Breathe. Stop. Please. Think. This is some utter nonsense from the authorities. Peace.

Uganda Police Force: Police Narrative on Stakeholders Meeting with Electoral Commission over Consultations (10.01.2020)

RDC: Ministere des Finances – Communique – Operations d’emission des Bons du Tresor (09.01.2020)