South Sudan: Government have defaulted on a $700m loan!

In Juba, there should be a crisis. However, we can expect that the Transitional Government of National Unity (TGoNU) are granting new loans to cover for defaulting old loans. As the Qatar National Bank who has loaned the Republic $700 millions United States Dollars.

The TGoNU have defaulted and not paid their first instalment on time, which is the reason for why the QNB have sued the government. The loan from the Qatar is now due and the Republic got to cough up the money owed.

President Salva Kiir Mayardit and his cronies got to figure something out. They need to find the money and ensure they can answer for it. Because, now the remedies are only repayment or instalments of payments, which was scheduled, but the TGoNU defaulted on that.

The QNB have done the right thing. Who knows where the millions of dollars has gone. Only that they are served to repay it now. The state was supposed to start paying instalments from March 2019. That is something it didn’t do and over 1 and half year later. There still haven’t been a coined in return.

This is why the Qatari Bank is serving the authorities of Juba this International Court Case. As they haven’t hold up their bargain. They have misused their trust and their office. Tried to run away from the bill, which they have already cashed in.

This is a huge sum to return to Qatar, but the South Sudanese government took the loan. They were supposed to pay $20m at the time. Alas, they were not willing to do that. That is why they have put themselves into this predicament.

The TGoNU has defaulted on this loan. The Republic have taken other loans too. This is the one the public knows about. We can wonder if they have issues with others too and what extent of debt burden the state has. As this is just to one bank, but they have also taken loans from Multi-National Organizations, International Banking Institutions and others. Which will also have a grace period ending in the future. That means, the state has to pay more in interests and bigger debt repayments.

That will hurt the state, a state which has nothing to give away. As the government supposed to build institutions and government services to the greater public. Alas, if this continues, then they cannot afford to do so. Because, they took out bad loans and didn’t have the foresight about the costs of doing so. Peace.

Brexit: Prime Minister Boris Johnson letter to the MPs (16.10.2020)

Tchad: Mouvement pour la Democratie et la Justice au Tchad (M.D.J.T) – Communique No. 006 (16.10.2020)

National Resistance Movement (NRM): Secretary General Kasule Lumumba letter to NRM NEC – Re: National Resistance Movement Flag Bearer for the position of Member of Parliament for Mawogola North Constituency, Sembabule District (15.10.2020)

Brexit: Boris thinks bullying Brussels gives him the result he wants…

Prime Minister Boris Johnson who has signed a revised Withdrawal Agreement (WA) and has a deadline of 31st December 2020 to end the transition period between the European Union and United Kingdom. That is all making sense.

EU negotiator Michel Barnier and the European Council have put out a statement on the 15th October 2020. Where they put forward the guidelines, yet again. While the Tories, David Frost and PM Johnson thinks they can move the goal-post in the final stages of the negotiations.

The UK are now asking for the trade agreements in line with Canada and Australia. This will not put forward the statutes, articles in the WA and the troubles of Internal Market Bill. The Tories are still playing the game of “what we want, we will get and forget old agreements”.

The funny thing about this. That the agreement made between UK and EU isn’t an old age agreement from a far forgotten past. No, it was made by the same government in negotiations with the EU. The European Council and EU 27 Member States has agreed upon this. Therefore, it is a significant deal, which settles the foundation of the relations between the two parties.

Alas, Boris wants to alter that now. Just mere 10 weeks ahead. While there are two more scheduled meetings and talks. The Prime Minister is putting forward talks of trenches and going to the barricades. As he knows his just playing for his base. The PM is doing this charade and mockery of a public display. He should know, that when you agreed upon certain things. It is a bit late to back-track just mere months ahead of deadline.

The Prime Minister Johnson is now trying to pull the pix-and-mix Brexit and the Red-White-Blue Brexit of Theresa May. This is 2020 and the Tories are still not sure what sort of Brexit it wants. It wants the best of both worlds. It wants to be a non-member, but also doesn’t want to honour the agreement it has already signed. That is showing what sort of disgusting leadership is in London.

London wants to bully Brussels. Brussels, the EU Commission and EU27 have been clear. There is no vindication for the Tories. It is just like a entitled brat wanting more candy, when the store is already closed a few hours ago. The parent have to give the kid a lesson and explain why its not possible.

The PM have to accept this and understand this. The only ones losing on this sort of public play. Is the British public and all citizens of UK. They are pawns by the leadership in Whitehall and Downing Street 10. Who are playing with their futures just to look good. While not making sure the best interests are made with the EU.

Instead, over Christmas an uncertain future is ahead, the UK is sailing alone and with possible “no-deal”. Which is affect all parts of society, most likely a higher inflation and hitting businesses in the midst of recession and a global pandemic. That is what the Tories are willing to do.

Just to look good on Prime Time TV and feed the Brexiteers in their homes. Who doesn’t see the damage it does, until it hits home. Peace.

Kenya: Cabinet Despatch (16.10.2020)

It should have been “Cabinet Dispatch” right?

Philippines: Integrated Bar of the Philippines – Babies Have Rigths (16.10.2020)

Benin: MESTFP – Communique Radio-Televise (15.10.2020)

Opinion: Ice Cube is swimming in muddy waters

The famous rapper, actor and activist O’Shea Jackson aka Ice Cube has gotten into a lot of hate and agony over his sudden work with the Trump Administration. Ice Cube shouldn’t be surprised as Easy E, another member of the N.W.A. was never forgiven just to attend a ceremony with his cap on back-in-the-day.

Ice Cube isn’t just attending a celebration or a ceremony at the Rose Garden. No, his negotiating and working behind the scenes. His getting promises for his Contract With Black America (CWBA) and incorporate that somehow with President Trump’s Platinum Plan.

If you feel like I am feeling. This all sound surreal. As President Trump is getting yet another ally by offering empty and shallow promises. Making way to use the detailed plans of Ice Cube and having someone to point at as reference. This is even more powerful, than the little meeting with Kanye at Trump Tower before the 2016 elections.

Knowing how passionate and hard-working Ice Cube is. He means this all well and have the best interests at heart. However, his working with the man who support violent militia’s, white supremacists, caging immigrant children, anti-Muslim rhetoric and policies. The Trump Administration is despicable and only using Cube for their self-interest in the final leg of the campaigns.

It is like the plan made by Ice Cube is good and is well credited. That is not my issue, neither is the heart behind doing so. Yes, the Democratic Party could have jumped on it. However, they didn’t want to obligate themselves early on. Which isn’t shocking, as the DNC is a corporate party as well. Therefore, they will not cause changes swiftly. So, it was wise of Ice Cube to negotiate with both parties.

Nevertheless, Ice Cube is working with the man who would easily go against the ones protesting for Black Lives Matter. Ice Cube is working with the man who has no issues making life worse for the inner-city communities, which is where African American are living in sub-standard housing. The same administration, who is kicking them out of Medicare, Medicaid and other programs like food-stamps. Therefore, I have hard time understanding his willingness to do this.

That is why Ice Cube is crushing himself and his reputation. Even with all the goodwill of the plan. I don’t doubt a second the intentions and the will of Ice Cube. However, when you start politicking like this. You will either win or loose. At this point, the Trump administration can promise they will do something, but most likely the least costly reforms. Which is why there will not be significant changes. That is the whole idea behind plan of Cube in the first place.

Ice Cube is being used. He maybe not see it himself. His trying to make a difference. However, the Republicans and Trump only needs him for positive headlines. They will not change a lot, because that interferes with the majority of the supporters of this administration. Why should they give way, when its a KKK, Proud Boys and Alt-Right Juggernauts are all clinging to this Presidency.

It is like AmeriKKKas Most Wanted doesn’t get it. Maybe, it’s his Death Certificate. What it really is a loss for Ice Cube. He is disrespecting his own legacy more than he did to others on “No Vaseline”.

That’s the tragedy here is that Ice Cube is trying to do well, but working with the ones who is only using him. With time he will get it, but for now his steam-rolling ahead. Peace.

Sudan: Urgent need to strengthen food systems as multiple crises drive up numbers of hungry people in Sudan (16.10.2020)