Nigeria: Nigeria Inter-Religious Council (NIREC) – NIREC Calls for Calm, Peaceful and Effective Management of “End SARS” Protesters’ Demands (21.10.2020)

Nigeria: Not too Young To Run Movement – STOP KILLING OUR YOUTH: A Press Statement on Incessant Killings of Nigerian Youth by Security Agencies (21.10.2020)

Namibia: Legal Assistance Centre (LAC) – Press Statement (21.10.2020)

Nigeria: Joint CSOs Press Release – Killers of #EndSARS Protesters Must Be Held To Account (21.10.2020)

Sudan: Statement of the Prosecutor of the International Criminal Court, Fatou Bensouda, at a media briefing in Khartoum, Sudan: “There is an urgent need for justice in Sudan; sustainable peace and reconciliation are built on the stabilizing pillar of justice” (21.10.2020)

The victims in Darfur have waited far too long to have justice.

THE HAGUE, Netherlands, October 21, 2020 – Ladies and Gentlemen, thank you for being here today at this media briefing. I am grateful for this opportunity to reach out, through you, to the people of Sudan.

My name is Fatou Bensouda, and I am Prosecutor of the International Criminal Court (“ICC” or the “Court”) (www.ICC-CPI.int).

The victims in Darfur have waited far too long to have justice. Through this historic visit, we hope to mark a new era of cooperation between my Office and Sudan towards greater accountability for atrocity crimes. The ICC was established as an independent and impartial international court to deal with atrocity crimes, namely: war crimes, crimes against humanity, genocide and the crime of aggression.

My role as Prosecutor is to bring to justice those responsible for atrocity crimes, and by doing so, to seek accountability and hope to prevent future crimes.

The ICC is at the heart of what we call the Rome Statute system of international criminal justice. The ICC is a court of last resort. This means that national justice systems have the primary responsibility to investigate and prosecute individuals who commit such crimes. If this does not happen, then the ICC is there as a fail-safe judicial mechanism.

In this way, my Office conducts investigations and prosecutions into atrocity crimes around the world. Politics do not influence any of my independent and impartial decisions. All my actions are based on the law – the Rome Statute of the ICC – and the objective evidence collected by my investigators. I will go wherever the law provides me with the power to go and follow the evidence wherever it leads me in the pursuit of justice for the victims. Thus, the goal of the ICC is to contribute to ending impunity – in other words, to make sure that no one, irrespective of status or rank, can avoid accountability for atrocity crimes, no matter how long it may take.

This is how international justice can contribute to protecting future generations from the scourge of lawless wars and conflict, and prevent human suffering.

My Office has been investigating the Situation in Darfur, Sudan since 2005, when the United Nations Security Council through Resolution 1593 (2005), triggered our jurisdiction by referring the situation to the Prosecutor of the ICC.

Much has happened since then. As we continue our investigations today, it is important for our work at the ICC, and especially the affected communities of Darfur, that the Sudanese authorities extend their full, sustained and tangible cooperation to my Office.

In Khartoum this week, I have engaged in productive meetings with the highest officials of the Government of Sudan and other important stakeholders. My programme included notably, meetings with H.E. Prime Minister Abdallah Hamdok (https://bit.ly/3jdn1vT); H.E. Mr Omer Gamaruddeen Ismail, Minister of Foreign Affairs (https://bit.ly/3jfQohd); H.E. Mr Nasredeen Abdelbari, Minister of Justice; and Prosecutor General of Sudan, Mr Tag el-Sir el-Hibir (https://bit.ly/2TcStzR), and representatives of the Sovereignty Council of Sudan, Lt. General Abdel Fattah Abdelrahman al-Burhan (https://bit.ly/3mccF19) and General Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo as well as and Mr Mohamed Hassan Altaishi (https://bit.ly/31uzOnT).

I also held fruitful discussions with representatives of civil society organisations, international bodies, and diplomatic corps in Khartoum (https://bit.ly/31uxqgG). Through you, the media, I am pleased to also address the public and affected communities.

These meetings have enabled me and my team to explain ICC proceedings, and the status of our cases in connection with the Situation in Darfur, Sudan and to chart a course for effective cooperation to bring the suspects against whom ICC warrants have already been issued to justice.

My meetings with the authorities have laid the foundation for cooperation between the ICC and the Sudanese national authorities.

This first historic visit to Khartoum after more than a decade provided an opportunity for Sudan’s Transitional Government to demonstrate its commitment to justice, accountability and the rule of law.

I am encouraged by the frank, open and constructive exchanges we have had. I particularly welcome the assurances of support and cooperation expressed to me by the authorities during this visit, including from H.E. Prime Minister Hamdok, committing Sudan to achieve justice for atrocity crimes, and to fully collaborate with my Office for this purpose (https://bit.ly/37re7sz).

We must now follow through and build on the promising discussions of this past week with concrete action. A Memorandum of Understanding on the modalities of cooperation, technical visits, and immediate access to Sudan by our investigators, amongst other action points were discussed, and we look forward to making timely progress on all of these items.

We count on Sudan’s tangible and timely cooperation as well as continued constructive engagement with my Office.

We stand ready to assist Sudan towards the goal of achieving accountability for atrocity crimes committed in Darfur.

I want to seize this opportunity to assure the people of Darfur that my Office continues to work hard on the Darfur situation. I solemnly call upon all affected Darfuri communities and those who have dedicated themselves to the cause of these communities, to come forward and contact my Office with the accounts of their sufferings, with the stories of what they have witnessed and what they have endured. With their evidence, we can contribute to bringing the long awaited justice to the victims in Darfur. My Office, together with colleagues in the Registry of the Court will soon embark on outreach activities to further explain the work of the ICC and its processes.

I wish to also add that I welcome the Juba Peace Agreement, officially signed on the 3rd of October 2020 between the Sovereignty Council and the Sudan Revolutionary Front and other movements, with a view to bring justice to the victims of atrocities that have occurred in Darfur and to build sustainable peace in Sudan. I also welcome the importance the Peace Agreement affords to the ICC, and the emphasis placed on cooperation between Sudan and the Court in relation to the five ICC suspects.  I am encouraged by the assurances given by the authorities that full effect will be given to these references, and that justice will play a central role in Sudan’s transition and the particular importance of the ICC in this ongoing process.

The focus of my investigation is on crimes allegedly committed by these five ICC suspects between 2003 and 2004, 2007, and as far as Mr Al Bashir is concerned up to 2008.

In June of this year, the alleged militia leader, Mr Ali Muhammad Ali Abd-Al-Rahman aka Ali Kushayb was transferred to the Court following his voluntary surrender. The ICC has outstanding arrest warrants against Messrs Omar Al Bashir, Ahmad Harun, Abdel Raheem Muhammad Hussein, and Abdallah Banda Abakaer Nourain. These suspects are still wanted for the atrocity crimes listed in their ICC warrants of arrest. They must all face justice without further delay. We look forward to continuing our dialogue with the Sudanese authorities to ensure we make progress on these cases with full respect for our respective roles and mandates and the principle of complementarity.

The opportunity to prosecute other alleged suspects in the Darfur situation at the national level is possible through the Darfur Special Court, as provided for in the Juba Peace Agreement. This would be a positive step in terms of burden-sharing between the ICC and the Sudanese courts.

Now that the channels of communication are open and a spirit of cooperation guides our discussions with the Sudanese authorities, we are open to exploring the possibilities in full compliance with our obligations under the Rome Statute, and guided by our unflinching commitment to achieving justice for the victims in Darfur.

In conclusion, I would like to thank the Sudanese people, the Government of Sudan and other stakeholders for the warm welcome extended to me and my delegation during this visit. I am also grateful for the logistical support and the security arrangements put in place in connection with this visit.

Fighting against impunity for the atrocity crimes committed against the people of Darfur is a joint responsibility. There is an urgent need for justice in Sudan. Sustainable peace and reconciliation are built on the stabilizing pillar of justice.

I thank you for your attention. I look forward to answering your questions and to address any comments you may have.

The Office of the Prosecutor of the ICC conducts independent and impartial preliminary examinations, investigations and prosecutions of the crime of genocide, crimes against humanity, war crimes and the crime of aggression. Since 2003, the Office has been conducting investigations in multiple situations within the ICC’s jurisdiction, namely in Uganda; the Democratic Republic of the Congo; Darfur, Sudan; the Central African Republic (two distinct situations); Kenya; Libya; Côte d’Ivoire; Mali; Georgia, Burundi Bangladesh/Myanmar and Afghanistan (subject to a pending article 18 deferral request). The Office is also currently conducting preliminary examinations relating to the situations in Bolivia; Colombia; Guinea; Iraq/UK; the Philippines; Nigeria; Ukraine; and Venezuela (I and II), while the situation in Palestine is pending a judicial ruling.

For further details on “preliminary examinations” and “situations and cases” before the Court, click here (https://bit.ly/2HjtZCq), and here (https://bit.ly/2IUrbN3).

Opinion: The NUP have overcome one hurdle

The National Unity Platform (NUP) and Robert Kyagulanyi aka Bobi Wine have overcome one hurdle or obstacle along his road to Presidency. Not that the General Election in 2021 will be his to win. The stones are already carved and the signs of the stars is aligned with the incumbent. Who owns and runs the system.

The Court case against the takeover of NUP with former President of the Party Moses Nkonge Kibalama own admission destroying the case itself against Bobi Wine. Therefore, the prolonged time to get the verdict. Only got the ones in fear of the future and of their nominations to candidacy across the Republic. Have lost their way or become independent out of fear of losing the option to run in 2021 elections.

The NUP have not only the raid of the headquarters. There are MP candidates arrested, posters torn down across the republic and all their political work blocked. Radios not allowed and warned by Uganda Communication Commission (UCC) from letting NUP Candidates appearing. While the Police Force (UPF) and Uganda People’s Defence Force (UPDF) will do their bidding to make it hard for NUP to operate.

Therefore, the celebration of victory today is short-sighted. Yes, in legality the party is overcoming a hurdle. It has cemented its foundation and cannot be questioned by mere technicalities. That has now been settled in Court. However, everything else is up for grabs. The NUP activists and leaders cannot rest. They will still go through earth, wind and fire to get to the finish line.

There is a monopoly of power. There is only one subject who has it all in his grasp and his not willing to back down. The President and his men will not give away that. No matter how popular or wise Bobi Wine is. Just like Besigye never gotten the taste or sit on the throne. Don’t expect Bobi Wine to enter it without havoc and hardships.

Bobi Wine will get all sorts of technical problems. There will be suddenly deficiencies. All of a sudden a long forgotten tale will resurface. Someone he ditched and didn’t do right while being a musician will come back to hurt him. A former lover or a business-partner, which will be part of a scorched earth policy made by the regime against him.

The NUP now had their first major hit job against them and was able to come victorious out of it. Even when the likes of Tom TVO Okwalinga said days before that they would make the party “null and void” and also “block the party”. Which didn’t happen, so something is up with his intelligence gathering. Not as spot on as in the past.

The NUP is now overcomer’s. Still, it is far from over. The campaigns are only beginning and nothing will be given to them. Everything will be taken and met with hostility from the authorities. The NUP and Bobi Wine needs not only resilience, but also courage and be level headed in the midst of adversity. There will be no easy walk, but only hardships ahead. To think otherwise is naive.

The NRM and the President have already proven this, as they are unforgiving to its enemies. They are reluctant to make it easy, but will show no remorse to hurt them. Peace.

Nigeria: Atiku Support Organisation (ASO) – Press Statement – A day of infamy! The killing of the unarmed sit-in, national anthem singing, and Nigerian flag-waving peaceful #EndSARS protesters at Lekki Toll Gate, Lagos state is callous and barbaric and stands unreservedly condemned (21.10.2020)

The BBI Report: The highlights of elite ideals

The new Highlights of the Building Bridges Initiative that has been published online. The 23 pages of the BBI Report. Which seems like revised edition of the 2019 release. The BBI got an extension in 2019 and is now a own Committee. Therefore, they needed to release something to viable and relevant.

The BBI is showing that they are planning to implement the same things as before. Now, the elected President will appoint an Prime Minister. There will be a Leader of Opposition, which is the runner-up of the Presidential Election. That person will be ex-officio MP. While bing part of the Parliament. These two ideas are alone just for the political elite and not to better society. This is simple ideas, where the political elite is creating two more offices and make them legal by law. Without them doing anything substantial to the issues that are there.

The BBI also will change the name of Cabinet Secretaries to Cabinet Ministers, which can also be technocrats, these being appointed leadership by the President. These will like the Leader of Opposition will become ex-officio MPs. That means they will get the perks, which the ex-officio MPs are getting. That shows the practicality of the scheme itself.

While creating a position of Prime Minister, the same BBI will abolish the Chief Administrative Secretary. This shows, that they are entitled with one role, which is more official, then the CAS is today. To add a mandate for one person. It is to give the PM more of a statutory role and in the end make the “Chief of Staff” redundant.

What is also striking is the sudden add of a Special Magistrate to combat Corruption. Corruption, which is eating up society and taking away valuable currency from the state and the operation of the state itself. The idea itself isn’t foolish. However, that will just be another office, which will combat the same problem. They also want to strengthen the Ombudsman, but the Director of Public Prosecuter (DPP) are not mentioned. The DPP is the one out there and the same with the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC). Therefore, there are already mechanisms, but they are not working, because its deliberately done so. So, to create another office… is just a smokescreen. It will not stop the cartels, the corruption and such. Only show-case the small cases, but the big-fish like always.

These are just my first view of the highlights of the BBI Report, which was released today. It wasn’t anything spectacular, but more a ordinary formula. Which has been used in a while. Nothing really surprising. However, a publicity stunt in a way.

Trying to make BBI relevant and assess the situation. The BBI is clearly not there to revolutionize society, but instead secure the elites. There is nothing else I can see in this. Maybe I am jaded, but I am not seeing it differently. As someone from the outside looking in.

The BBI seems to be saving grace for Kenyatta with the blessing of Odinga. Giving Kenyatta time to do what he likes, while Odinga gets to bask in glory. This highlights of the BBI Reports. Doesn’t sing any other song. It is the same tune, but with the same formula. Peace.

Nigeria: Action Group on Free Civic Space – #ENDSARS/ ENDSWAT: Violent Attacks on Peaceful Protesters Must Stop! (21.10.2020)

RDC: Lucha, Filimbi & Les Congolais Debout! – Objet: Rappel citoyen sur l’expulsion de Monsieur Vincent Karenga, Ambassadeur du Rwanda en RDC (21.10.2020)