Cote d’Ivoire: Communique de Presse du Groupe de Plaidoyer PTI – Declaration a la MI-Journee – Election Presidentielle 2020 – Une Election Sur fond de Violence et de Tensions (31.10.2020)

Opinion: The NRM with another “Rerun”

The National Resistance Movement are launching their 2021-2026 Manifesto. In ordinary fashion they are trying to make a festive occasion and make it sound special. Though, their slogan and their ideas are all rehash of former ones. Even their priorities are rewritten 10 Point Programme to a new generation. Showing that the NRM haven’t fulfilled their mission or the ideas of the Bush-War of the 1980s and we are now in 2020.

That says how far-fetched any pledge, promise or manifesto from this party is. It is a meaningless document. Empty promises to sell dreams, which will only turn to nightmares. Unless, the State House and the President earns on it. It will not happen. That is why previous promised and pledges have been long forgotten and usually only repeated on the campaign trail. In such a manner, which the recycling is more steady than at a landfill.

Alas, the NRM will continue to do this. Instead of writing a certain way. They are speaking of prosperity. Like they are evangelicals coming with the prosperity gospel and their seeds for tithes to earn blessings for the future. The NRM is now sounding alike with their promises. While they are initially pledging the same as they did in the 10 Point Programme. This after being in-charge since 1986.

There are so many issues with governance, institutionalism and in-general the ruling regime should have fixed, but haven’t done it. Still, they are going out with the same sort of recycled ideas. The memo could have been written in Luweero Triangle and sent by bird. It is just rewriting to 2020 and not really much difference.

The 10 Point Programme was a smart move, but the NRM have not lived up to it. This is why they are re-issuing it and doing a rerun of it 2020. They are just continuing the old-school way and by default proving that they have no been successful in office.

The President and NRM have clearly failed when they are prioritising the same thing, as they did back then. Its a sign of weakness and fatigue in office. They have had the time to fix these issues, but clearly never cared or prioritised to do so. If they did… it wouldn’t be a need to have it in the manifesto, yet again.

That just shows what a utter failure the party and the President have been. When they are aiming for the same thing, again and again, but never able to succeed. Peace.

RDC: MONUSCO – Note du BCNDUH sur les Principales Tendances des Violations des Droits de l’Homme en Septembre 2020 (30.10.2020)

RDC: Amani Institute – Communique de Presse No. 009 – La Situation s’aggrave et risque de devenir encontrolable (28.10.2020)

Tanzania: ACT Wazalendo – Yah: Kupotea kwa Naib Katibu Mkuu wa Chama Cha Act-Wazalendo Bw. Nassor Ahmed Mazrui na Watu Wengine 36 (31.10.2020)

Tanzania: Tamko la Pamoja la Vyama Vya Chadema na ACT Wazalendo kuhusu Uchaguzi mkuu Uliofanyika Oktoba 27 & 28, 2020 (31.10.2020)

Western Sahara: Security Council Extends Mandate of United Nations Mission for Referendum in Western Sahara by 13 Votes in Favour, 2 Abstentions (30.10.2020)

The Security Council decided to extend the mandate of the United Nations peace operation in Western Sahara for one year today, with the voting results announced by videoconference, in accordance with the temporary silence procedure* adopted for the COVID-19 pandemic.

Adopting resolution 2548 (2020) by 13 votes in favour to none against, with 2 abstentions (Russian Federation, South Africa), the Council extended the mandate of the United Nations Mission for the Referendum in Western Sahara (MINURSO) until 31 October 2021.  It called upon the parties to the dispute over that territory to resume negotiations without preconditions and in good faith.

The Council also rejected a second draft resolution, on the agenda item “Women, peace and security”.

By the MINURSO text, the Council emphasized the need for a realistic, practicable and enduring solution to the Western Sahara question based on compromise, as well as the importance of aligning the Mission’s strategic focus and orienting United Nations resources to that end.

Expressing its full support for the ongoing efforts of the Secretary-General and his incoming Personal Envoy to sustain the renewed negotiations process, the Council noted the intention of the former Personal Envoy to invite Morocco, the Frente Polisario (Popular Front for the Liberation of Saguia el-Hamra and Rio de Oro), Algeria and Mauritania to meet again in the same format.  It welcomed the commitment of those parties to remain engaged throughout the process in order to ensure a successful outcome.

In calling for the resumption of negotiations, the Council asked the parties to take into account the efforts made since 2006, as well as subsequent developments, with a view to achieving a just, lasting and mutually acceptable political solution that provides for the self-determination of the people of Western Sahara.  It invited Member States to lend appropriate assistance to such talks.

Reaffirming the need to fully respect military agreements previously reached with MINURSO regarding a ceasefire, the Council further called upon the parties to adhere to those agreements, implement their commitments to the former Personal Envoy and refrain from any actions that could undermine negotiations or further destabilize the situation in Western Sahara.

By other terms of the resolution, the Council requested that the Secretary-General provide regular briefings on the status of negotiations during the mandate period; apply his framework for comprehensive and integrated peacekeeping performance policies to MINURSO; and increase the number of women engaged in the Mission’s work, as well as their meaningful participation.

Vassily Nebenzia (Russian Federation), Council President for October, announced the silence-procedure voting results for the draft resolution on the agenda item “Women, peace and security”, noting that the text, having received 5 votes in favour (China, Indonesia, Russia, South Africa, Viet Nam) to none against, with 10 abstentions, failed to garner enough affirmative votes and was rejected.

That text would have had the Council note with deep concern persisting barriers to the full implementation of resolution 1325 (2000) and subsequent “women, peace and security” resolutions.  It would have urged Member States to ensure and promote “the full, equal and meaningful participation of women in all stages of peace processes” and remain committed to “increasing the number of civilian and uniformed women in peacekeeping at all levels and in key positions”.

Further, the text it would have had the Council urge Member States to facilitate women’s full, equal and meaningful inclusion and participation both in negotiating delegations and in mechanisms established to implement and monitor agreements.

The text, which would also have had the Council recognize the twenty-fifth anniversary of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action, was the outcome of the Council’s open debate on the “Women, peace and security” agenda, convened on Thursday by the Russian Federation to commemorate the twentieth anniversary of the adoption of the landmark resolution 1325 (2000).

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* Security Council resolutions are currently adopted through a written procedure vote under temporary, extraordinary and provisional measures implemented in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, as set out in a letter (document S/2020/253) by its President for March (China).

RDC: Union pour la Nation Congolaise (UNC) – Note Circulaire a l’Attention des Chefs de Corps et Animateurs des Differentes Structures du Parti (Tous) – (30.10.2020)

Tanzania: It wasn’t an election, but a heist

“Incomplete results from Tanzania’s parliamentary election show that Tanzania’s ruling party has won 218 out of 220 parliamentary seats declared so far, according to the local press” (BBC News Africa, 30.10.2020).

The Chama Cha Mapundzi (CCM) and incumbent President Joseph Magufuli have won with insane numbers. The CCM has done landslides in all areas. In such a manner it is only competing with similar numbers to the ones in Kigali and in Pyongyang. That must make the friends of the United Republic of Tanzania so proud.

We all can know that the Zanzibar Electoral Commission (ZEC) and National Electoral Commission (NEC) have all worked in favour of the state. The same has the army and all other authorities. There was no other way to go, but they are not even hiding it.

Strongholds for the opposition have been depleted. Where incumbent MPs have lost. They are not even trying to conceal the rigging. It is not only taking control of the Parliament, but owning it by force. The open bazaar rigging is clear.

The CCM isn’t even trying to make it sensible. Only totally destroying the Chadema and ACT-Wazalendo. That they are doing by doing this. They are arresting, hurting and killing supporters of these parties.

This is a illegitimate election. Magufuli didn’t really win this. He has stuffed ballots, pre-ticked ballots and stopped observers from checking the polls stations across the Republic. Ensuring the rigging be done. There is no justification for this. Other than naked greed for power.

These results are so bonkers it is not even funny. It is the results that gets cheers from fellow dictators and tyrants. Magufuli will be in the same boat as Kim Jong-Un and Paul Kagame. Surely, Magufuli will be greeted and legitimized by them.

There will be no real open celebrations in the streets. There will be little joy and cheers for Magufuli. There will be ferried crowds and paid actors screaming love. However, the incumbent know he cheated and tricked himself into power. This isn’t a real victory, but a fake one.

The saga continues and the recklessness has no bound. That what greed and how power corrupts. I wouldn’t be shocked, if Magufuli get the Constitution changed before the next election to get a third term. When he can rig and cheat at an election at this level. He would surely not step down in honour and grace. The man will do what he can to die in power.

This is just a justification to continue his journey. Not to ensure the will of people or what they wanted of leadership. The CCM would get votes, but not at these levels. That is just the truth and the campaigns proved that the Chadema and ACT-Wazelendo was bigger then this.

The President will now live on a lie, the lie being his reign and his legitimacy to rule. His lying to himself, but also the whole electorate of the United Republic. Peace.

Opinion: The NRM expect partisan civil servants…

The National Resistance Movement ahead of the elections are saying to the civil servant, the ones working in local government and state organizations to support the government by default. Because, the officials of the NRM and the government are saying they are paying them. However, that is not true. They are not hired by the NRM, but by the Government of Uganda.

If Uganda is a democracy and there is free and fair elections. Than the state should be reflected all through the Public Civil Service. All walks of life should be there, both with faith and political association. Yes, there are laws that is barring the civil service from entering politics. As they are supposed to be non-partisan and work for the general public.

However, the statements made by Capt (Rtd) Tumusiime Bamuturaki, and the Resident District Commissioner (RDC), Lt. Col. James Mwesigye on Wednesday this week. Says a lot of their mismatched ideas of governing and governance. They are blending the ruling regime with who the government are.

The government and state shouldn’t be associated with one party. Even though it has been ruling it politically forever. Since, the civil servants should have the ability as any citizen to vote for whoever they feel and whatever they vouch for. They could vote for the opposition, though they are barred by law to be political active.

Still, the constitution allows them to vote in a free and fair election. The Constitution doesn’t state that they have to be loyal to the ruling regime. Because, the people is sovereign and they have the rights to associate themselves with any political party too. Therefore, the Public Service Code of Conduct article 50 is breaching with the ideals of the 1995 Constitution Article 29(e). However, is for some legal scholars to explain.

Still, any citizen should by default be allowed to associate with whoever they deem fit. If it is a clown, brothel owner, journalist, singer or farmer. Whoever they deem fit to lead and run the nation. They decide who they seem fit to do so. No matter what job they have or work it shouldn’t matter.

That shows how the intolerance of the NRM. That officials like Capt. Tumusiime and Lt. Col. Mwesigye is saying this. Not that it’s shocking. It is more of the same. However, it proves that the 1995 Constitution to them is only mere papers, but not law. Even if it one of their prides and joys. Which they don’t care to follow.

I’m sure these fellows couldn’t even find the article and explain themselves out of it. Nevertheless, they got to send warnings and intimidate civil servants. Who works for the state and isn’t something that is automatically for the NRM. The civil servant can decide on their own… they have a mind on their own and isn’t in debt to the NRM. These folks can decide and do what they feel.

The civil servants aren’t working for the NRM, but they are working for the state. That is a distinguishing difference, which the likes of Capt. Tumusiime and Lt. Col. Mwesigye isn’t able to see. Maybe their minds are jaded or the hunger for power doesn’t cease to boggle their train of thought.

However, these workers are free and can pick whoever they feel and rightfully so. If not, then they are slaving to master, instead of being human being with a free will. Which is something even the 1995 Constitution has given them. Peace.