Coronavirus – Somalia: Frontline resilience in Somalia (19.07.2020)

NEW YORK, United States of America, July 19, 2020 – One hundred thousand households in Somaliland in northwest Somalia have better access to water, protecting them not just from the ravages of climate change but also against the spread of COVID-19, thanks to a project supported by the UN Development Programme.

Some 70 per cent of Somalis live from agriculture and pastoralism but changing weather patterns have meant many cannot access the water to sustain these traditional activities.

Many younger people have left for cities and towns to live in slum settlements where access to facilities is limited, but now a number of dams, dykes and storage tanks built in Somaliland by UNDP and its partners are encouraging people to carry on with their traditional livelihoods by providing stability in the form of a reliable and consistent supply of water.

And as the virus which causes COVID-19 continues to spread across Africa, the new water sources are also key to slowing the spread of the disease by making it easier for people to wash hands and clean household items.

Sudan: US$ 283 million needed to support people affected by COVID-19 (19.07.2020)

RDC: Communique de Presse de Twiraneho du 17 Juillet 2020 (17.07.2020

We need to emulate the likes of Representative John Lewis

To those who have said, “Be patient and wait,” we have long said that we cannot be patient. We do not want our freedom gradually, but we want to be free now! We are tired. We are tired of being beaten by policemen. We are tired of seeing our people locked up in jail over and over again. And then you holler, “Be patient.” How long can we be patient? We want our freedom and we want it now. We do not want to go to jail. But we will go to jail if this is the price we must pay for love, brotherhood, and true peace”John Lewis (“SPEECH AT THE MARCH ON WASHINGTON” (28 AUGUST 1963)

There are some unsung heroes and then there John Lewis. The United States Representative from 1986 until this death. A man who stood for the good fight to the bitter end. The civil rights leader, congressman and icon.

His resilience and moral compass have been with him all of his life. The determination to overcome the obstacles in society and make it better. Do the good trouble for cause of justice for all. A man who has inspired a generation and will continue to do so long after his gone.

I hope that I can just emulate a little of what he did. The way he stood for the good cause. The way in the midst of trouble, knew it was worth it. He called it good trouble. When the state has laws who undermines the public, who doesn’t serve the public, it’s your right to oppose it. Lewis have been arrested, belittled and hurt for the good causes.

He stood in it, together with the others leaders of the civil rights movement and part of the Big Six in the 1960s. John participated in the March on Washington in 1963 and the protest in Selma, Alabama in 1965, which was coined the Bloody Sunday. He lead up to 600 marches in that time.

Yes, we have made some progress. We have come a distance. We are no longer met with bullwhips, fire hoses, and violence when we attempt to register and vote. But the sad fact is, the sad truth is discrimination still exists. And that is why we still need the Voting Rights Act. And we must not go back to the dark past. We cannot separate the debate today from our history and the past we have traveled. When we marched from Selma to Montgomery in 1965, it was dangerous. It was a matter of life and death. I was beaten. I had a concussion at the bridge. I almost died. I gave blood, but some of my colleagues gave their very lives” (John Lewis – ‘Rep. John Lewis Comments on Voting Rights Act Reauthorization’ 13.07.2006).

It’s with those kind of actions made him the hero he is. He was the main sponsor for 22 bills in Congress. Out of the 22 bills, there are 8 bills is in remembrance and commemoration of the Civil Rights and Civil Rights leaders.

The two latest enacted bills, which he was the main sponsor of was the Great American Outdoors Act and Taxpayers First Act. The first act was to secure funding for National Monuments, National Parks and the National Park Service, the back-log of lacking funds to be secured. The Taxpayers First Act was to modernize the IRS. Therefore, he did legislation for the betterment of society and remember the ones who fought for the good causes.

There will not be anyone like John Lewis, but we can work to emulate him. We can work for a better world. A world of justice for all. He fought for justice and against impunity. The Black Lives Matter is a “follow-up” to the likes Lewis. They are fighting for the same cause as Lewis was. Society have moved, but still there is battles ahead for all to get the same freedom. There are still mass-incarceration and police brutality against African-Americans. Which is something Lewis fought against, was arrested for and stood tall against the authorities.

That is why Lewis and his achievements are so important. His battles are not yet fought. The good trouble he got in the 1960s. Is still something we have to battle today in 2020. We still have to go against the systemic racism and against oppression of minorities. That shouldn’t be the case, but clearly the fight is not over.

The legacy Lewis leaves behind is a man of morals and conscience, which is needed. Who will fill the void? Who knows?

Hopefully, his speeches, his books and his life can be an inspiration for others. A man who stood in the midst of the Civil Rights era, a man who went on the front-line. Who became a representative and stood for the just cause to the bitter end. I just hope we emulate just a figment of what he stood for. So, we can together make a better world. If necessary join together in good trouble. To stand up to injustice in society.

If we only learn a little from this man and follows his example. We can make a better world. Where we fight against the ones who sponsor injustice and impunity against fellow citizens, because of their creed and colour, which is wrong by all means. Where we all should be equal and all equality before the law.

He has been on point all through his life and I’ll end with a statement on voter suppression in 2011:

Mr. Speaker, voting rights are under attack in America. There is a deliberate and systematic attempt to prevent millions of elderly voters, young voters, students, minorities, and low-income voters from exercising their constitutional right to engage in the democratic process. Voter ID laws are becoming all too common. But make no mistake, Voter ID laws are a poll tax. People who struggle to pay for basic necessities cannot afford a voter ID” (John Lewis – ‘Rep. John Lewis Condemns Voter Suppression In the U.S.’ 19.07.2011).

Rest In Peace John Lewis. Your legacy and achievements will life on. You will inspire generations to come. Peace.

Togo: Coalition des Forcs Democratique pour l’Alternance pacifique en 2020 – Communique de la Dynamyque MGR Kpodzro (DMK) – (17.07.2020)

Zimbabwe: Joint CSOs Press Release on the Persecution of Mr. Obert Masaraure (17.07.2020)

Togo: Mouvement Patriotique pour la Democratie et le Developpment (MPDD) – Communique de Presse Relativement au Harcelement Judiciare conte Dr. Agbeyome Kodjo (16.07.2020)

Niger: Opposition Politique Nigerienne – Communique de presse (17.07.2020)

Opinion: The NRM Rebel MPs bowed to their King

I met our NRM Members of Parliament who have previously opposed certain party positions, hence being named “rebel MPs”. They called on me at State House Entebbe to seek the party’s forgiveness. Subsequently, I made their case before the party’s Central Executive Committee yesterday which resolved that for the party’s cohesion and discipline, we interact further and guide these MPs” (Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, 17.07.2020).

Today, at the State House, there was a meeting of the National Resistance Movement (NRM) Members of Parliament (MP) who have dared to challenge the President and his legislation. These are the ones who voted against the abolishment of the Age Limit and so fourth. These MPs actually dared to question the President and not following the correct line.

The MPs in question was today summoned to the State House to be informed on how to move forward. In an exercise to show loyalty and also settle supposed grievances. The President simmer it down really quick when he writes that they will guided further and follow Party discipline. That is why these fellows should not dare to undermine the President again. They should just vote as they are told and not think.

That is why rebellion in the NRM is so endearing. Such a assumption that these are rebels. They stood up for one cause and now they have to kiss the ring to get the goods again. As long as they show loyalty and blind discipline to the party, which means loyal to the President. Not question his actions, his legislation or his policies. Only follow the President and his steering committee the NRM CEC.

The President can act like this was a day filled with hardliners, questionable MPs who didn’t know better and needed more education. That these MPs are indecent and disingenuous. However, these are already yellow fellows. The only thing they have done is to vote against a President for Life. A person they had no trouble bowing their knees for and asking for forgive. They were asking for mercy. To ensure they could get another term in office and get the positive vibes ahead of elections.

This is all political games. The NRM Rebels wasn’t true revolutionaries. These people wasn’t defiant in the sense of person, just one simple cause. They stood up and said “nay”, when others said “yay”. Yes, they did the good thing at that vote, but they didn’t work to directly undermine the ruler or his associates. They were all along part of the party, following procedures and being their MPs.

They were maybe not invited to the State House for NRM Caucus Meeting, losing out of some envelopes. However, they are neither true opposition or someone who defiantly standing against the President. If they were and not willingly to work with the Self-Styled President for Life. They wouldn’t show up and bend over for the old man.

He also said:

Our people are waking up. It explains why we have bumper production of milk, sugar, bananas, etc. Leaders must work for the prosperity of their people. That’s the most important thing” (Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, 17.07.2020).

It is really special that he says leaders have to work for prosperity. When he has prospered, while his citizens haven’t done so. That they have to do that now that its really rich in way. Promise wealth, but not delivering it. That is the final message for the rebels. The ones who stood against him on one cause. A cause that was for selfish reasons for one old man with a hat. The one man with a hat, who they shall not rebel against again. That’s why his showing them mercy now. As long as they are following his orders. Peace.

Maldivian Red Crescent: On Ensuring the Protection of the Rights of Migrant Workers in Maldives (16.07.2020)