Democratic Republic of the Congo Ebola cases rise, surpass previous outbreak (16.07.2020)

The latest outbreak, DRC’s 11th, was declared on 1 June 2020 after a cluster of cases was detected in Mbandaka area of Equateur Province.

BRAZZAVILLE, Congo (Republic of the), July 16, 2020 – The Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo’s (DRC) Equateur Province continues to grow, causing major concern as the World Health Organization (WHO) and partners face critical funding gaps. Confirmed cases have now surpassed the total number recorded during the province’s last outbreak in 2018.

The latest outbreak, DRC’s 11th, was declared on 1 June 2020 after a cluster of cases was detected in Mbandaka area of Equateur Province. The outbreak has since spread to six health zones, with 56 cases recorded. The city of Mbandaka and its surroundings were also the site of the country’s 9th Ebola outbreak which lasted from May to July 2018 and in which 54 cases were confirmed.

Of the 56 cases reported so far, 53 are confirmed and three are probable. In the last three weeks alone, 28 cases have been confirmed.

“Responding to Ebola in the midst of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic is complex, but we must not let COVID-19 distract us from tackling other pressing health threats,” said Dr Matshidiso Moeti, WHO Regional Director for Africa. “The current Ebola outbreak is running into headwinds because cases are scattered across remote areas in dense rain forests. This makes for a costly response as ensuring that responders and supplies reach affected populations is extremely challenging.”

The ongoing Ebola response is also facing funding shortfalls. So far WHO has mobilized US$ 1.75 million, which will last only a few more weeks. Additional support is needed to rapidly scale up the efforts by WHO, the DRC health authorities and partners to ensure all the affected communities receive key services including health education and community engagement, vaccination, testing, contact tracing and treatment.

Significant achievements have been made since the outbreak began. In six weeks, more than 12 000 people have been vaccinated. During the 2018 outbreak in Equateur, it took two weeks to start vaccinations. This time around vaccinations started within four days of the outbreak being declared.

The current response builds on lessons learned from the country’s previous Ebola outbreaks, which underscored the importance of working closely with communities. Around 90% of the vaccinators in the ongoing outbreak are from the local communities. The response has also been able to tap into the expertise of laboratory technicians trained during the 2018 outbreak, with 26 laboratory technicians currently supporting diagnostics. Working with local responders is inspiring trust between communities and health workers and making the emergency response more effective.

WHO, along with the Ministry of Health and partners, has been engaging with communities to increase understanding of the virus and local support for response activities. More than 40 000 households have been visited by community health workers and more than 273 000 people have been provided with health and safety information.

My letter to Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed Ali: Is this what you aimed for?

16th July 2020 Oslo, Norway

Dear Prime Minister of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia, His Excellency Abiy Ahmed Ali.

I am writing to you today, because this is something I need to release out of my chest. I personally think this will never reach you. To be honest, you will never read this, but hopefully some of your supporters to get a outsider perspective.

All the devastation, destruction and violence happen of late … has been on your watch Prime Minister. All the fatalities, arrests and police brutality has been all on your clock. This is for you take account for and stand behind.

The deaths of innocent civilians in the hands of the authorities. All the fatalities and destroyed properties by the use of force from the army. This is all on you, Prime Minister. You can try to shift the blame, try to talk of outside forces attacking the Federal Republic. As A Prime Minister using the victims as the perpetrators. Only reflects a bad light and show your trying to spin the assaults, arbitrary arrests and charges on Oromo leaders.

That the state, your lackeys are supportive of making inaccurate messages. While viral clips, proof of usage of force against civilians are leaking. Even killing family members of Hacaalu Hubdeessaa at his funeral after his assassination. That shouldn’t be possible, but it shows to what extent your government does to prove a point. Your killing family members of a man your government was making a plaque for; and at the same time murdering his kin. That shouldn’t be a thing, Mr. Prime Minister.

As a Prime Minister, kin shouldn’t face the consequences of their parents actions. The parents are the leaders who is adjourned in courts awaiting more investigation. While the state army is still present and the broadband is still not 100% active. This is something you know. You are keeping political prisoners from all the Oromo groups. In a way silencing all your critics.

What you as Prime Minister need to address and be honest about your origin. Because, I heard in the past, that you had one parent, which was Amhara and the other Oromo. However, now you claim both is Oromo. So, you have changed your story there and your own parents, which is a gift us usual mortals cannot do.

Nevertheless, the important matter is the violence. The state sponsored murder of people. The arrests on political grounds and not on criminal conspiracy. The use of the state to silence its critics and intimidate its citizens. Mr. Prime Minister there should never be any use of Command Post against citizens. You are taking away people liberties and freedoms on the alter of your will to cling to power.

You came in with promise of reform, pledge to change the system, but in the end your regress to tyranny. Is that what your heart aspire too? To be a tyrant? To be a dictator? A technocrat with a gun? Is that all your good for?

You will not remembered in good faith, you will not be remembered for delivering hope or prosperity. You are only delivering hurt and despair. Mr. Prime Minister, the blood is on your hands. The souls of the deceased are on your spreadsheet. That is the results of your labour. You shall answer for the victims, the families who has lost their loved ones and the ones who got caught in the cross-fire. That is the ones that is on your tab.

Mr. Prime Minister, before I repeat myself too much. Let me be clear. The fatalities, the victims and the ones scorned is all on you. No one else to blame but you. He buck stops with you. You have the power to order the military, the police and the judiciary to hunt people. You can burn shops, villages and farms across the Oromia region. You can destroy and put false claim on its leaders.

However, you cannot hide the truth for to long. The victims will talk, the people will show what you did and their stories will be told. Mr. Prime Minister, by then reports and statements will condemn and launch campaigns against you. You are losing, but what you have already is the trust and hope.

You have shattered the faith that you would make a difference. The only thing for you is to seal your future. The only thing left is for you to save your title. You don’t have the love or care for your own. You can take easily life and blame the victims. That is who you are.

Your a disgrace of a leader. Who selfishly uses the power to undermine own citizens and their rights for own benefits. This is your legacy. Who would have thought that you ended up here?

It seemed so good, but it was too good to be true.

Best Regards

Writer of Minbane

Ethiopia: International Ethiopians Solidarity Forum letter to International Criminal Court (15.07.2020)

RDC: Lamuka – Communique (16.07.2020)

Opinion: The NRM is busy campaigning under “government” program launches

Today, State Minister Evelyn Anite held a sensitization program in Koboko Municipality. Seemingly, just like State Minister Haruna Kasolo holding Emyooga launching all around the Republic too. Minister Frank Tumwebaze launching SAGE system across the Republic. There is also the likes of State Minister Professor Ephraim Kamuntu holding a rally in Sheema district. Also, the State Minister Dr. Jane Ruth Aceng in Aromo sub-county in Lira District.

You can see the scheme, the State Ministers has all recently held rallies, meetings and been in public. While holding public gatherings, when the campaigning is supposed to be digital and “scientific”. However, that hasn’t mattered for the Emyooga, SAGE or whatever else these people been doing.

They are using the banner of government programs to campaign. These Ministers are using their roles as government officials to hold rallies. While telling the public that they are doing something else.

We are seeing Ministers doing the public gatherings, while citizens are arrested in Kampala for watching Premier League matches. 32 citizens in a small space was moved from a pub showing the matches to a crowded prison without any social distancing. This is happening, while the Ministers are allowed to hold gatherings in public without thinking about this. They have tents and closed venues, but for political reasons.

If people wants to watch Premier League or be gathering in public. They should invite a Minister from the Cabinet. Sensitize or learn about something useful. If not invite them to shed some knowledge about a government scheme and then put on a match on the big-screen. To ensure the legality of the event.

Because, the Minister can hold rallies, campaign rallies and use their ministries, their platform to practically campaign. Just like the President used the Operation Wealth Creation tour to campaign last year. This is copy of that, but using other means to do so. They are doing this in their own districts, across the Republic. All wearing yellow, spreading positive messages about the Movement and doing it ahead of elections. Instead of being scientific and following guidelines of the same government they represent.

That is just insulting common sense. The Movement, the Ministers can act a fool, but it doesn’t make it true. They can act like this is government business, but it seems like rallies. That’s why its deceiving. Especially, when these people are entitled to do so. While opposition and people cannot gather like this without getting arrested. That’s why its insulting to act this way. When others are silenced from doing the same. Peace.

Zambia: Let Diplomacy deal with Rwanda Issue (16.07.2020)

South Sudan: Humanitarian Coordinator a.i. in South Sudan condemns the killing of two aid workers in Jonglei and calls for an immediate end to violence (16.07.2020)

Malaysia: Minster of Foreign Affairs Hishammuddin Hussein – Press Statement (16.07.2020)

Opinion: Minster Aceng, humility is clearly not your thing

“Should I request the police to push or arrest them? That would not be nice. If am vying for a political position, I have to handle people nicely” – Dr. Jane Ruth Aceng (15.07.2020)

The viral video clips and the pictures of the event on social media has created havoc and for a reason. She is one of the technocrats, one of the scientists who has gone in the front-line for the “Scientific” elections ahead of 2021 General Elections.

That your in the streets and roadside with fans in Aromo Sub-County in Lira District. Where you just happen to sort of campaign ahead of elections. Where you as a person is standing as Woman Representative for the National Resistance Movement (NRM). You launched that just mere days ahead of the event in Aromo. Therefore, the critics are allowed to question you.

You are talking about arrests, but people are dying in the streets for not wearing masks. While you hold a “training” and didn’t wear one. The public rallied with a procession, when opposition candidates cannot even go to Party Offices up-country or visit radio-stations. Therefore, the angle of humility is out of the window.

It is the entitlement and justification of it all. Thinking people are stupid. Thinking people are ignorant and blind. That we cannot see through the shades of grey. That we cannot grasp the reality of your actions.

That just days after launching your campaign in Kampala, you went to Lira district just to train people, but not caring about social distancing or masks. Just standing around with a bunch of people and being jolly.

She knows deep in her heart that others would have been arrested in the same situation. Jane Ruth knows that people have died in action because of similar events. The Minister knows all this. Know that the LDUs have taken lives for the simple fact, the brother or sister wasn’t wearing a mask. That’s why they deserved to die.

Therefore, humility would be fine. Would be swell and great. Instead, the Minister is showing her entitlement and lack of gratitude that her office and allegiance bring.

“I did a good job in my opinion but of course it is time of politics and any political opponent will pick that and flash it around” – Dr. Jane Ruth Acent (15.07.2020).

She has done a good job spelling out the guidelines and the needs to things from afar. However, when she went to Lira district. Jane Ruth became an operative politician searching for political gains. She is trying to cover that and all her bases. However, its not working.

All she could have done was to show some humility. Show some grace and understanding for the outrage. Alas, that is not the case. She is instead defending her actions and doing it with intent. An intent that only shows her entitlement, which would for others be in prison and answer charges. If she was just a random peasant, she would have been dead in the ditch. Peace.

Opinion: “Poverty is your choice” is that the new NRM slogan?

During the tenure of the NRM government, poverty is by choice. For anyone to remain poor is their choice. How can you say you are still poor yet there are many initiatives introduced by government to alleviate poverty. If you had a restaurant on top of your current job, you would not be so much affected by the pandemic and the resultant lockdown. That is the mindset we are talking about. It is your choice” – State Minister on Microfinance Haruna Kasolo (14.07.2020).

Sometime someone says something really outrageous and insane. State Minister Kasolo is one of them. As he launched the Emyooga, the same Operation Wealth Creation, SACCOs and NAADs poverty alleviation tool the National Resistance Movement (NRM) have used for ages without any results.

It is like changing name on the same thing, but expecting different results. Buying the same sort of players with the same skills and expecting to win the league. You got to pick better, more talented and experienced ones to win a league. However, the NRM just switches a name, relaunching it and calling it the winning formula.

That is why for a government ruling the Republic since 1986. A government that has promised to be middle income country for ages. A party and President promising wealth, jobs and a new industrial revolution. Have certainly not achieved that. When poverty is a choice. The inconvenient, gig-economy and hand-to-mouth. The lack of institutions and policies to change this.

However, blaming it on the citizens, the peasants and the ones suffering in it. That is such a Noble approach. While spreading the news of Emyooga. The bastard child of OWC, the SACCOS and NAADs. The newest Presidential Directive to dodge poverty. If the previous ones didn’t work. Don’t expect the same tools going to work in 2020.

The Minister can lie to himself. Like he made a choice and dodged the bullet. He bought the bulletproof vest and got away from the suffering. No, he just joined the ruling regime and drank their Kool-Aid.

Instead of inspiring people. The Minister demeaned them. Insulted them and calling them lazy. That they are idle and its their fault they don’t have money. Not like its a robust economy or exponential growth in the near future. That overnight the NRM will create the Shangri-la and the Singapore of Africa. No, that is disturbing the eating, kickbacks and general looting of the Movement. This is why the State Minister has to blame someone.

The ones his blaming is the average citizen, the peasant and the ones who are struggling to get by. That is disgraceful. Therefore, is the up-coming slogan for the NRM: “Poverty is your choice”. It is maybe not as clinging as Steady Progress, but it cannot be true. When a minister tells that living poorly is choice. No one is choosing that, but that is the reality they are living in. Not by will, but by default. Everyone wants to live with comfort and safety. Not wonder if they are eating the next day. How foolish is the Minister?

His a fool with a title. Peace.