South Sudan: Joint Local Statement on repetitve violence against humanitarian aid workers (11.11.2020)

Opinion: The lost ones [who is only putting their names on the ballot]

There are a few lost ones ahead of the Presidential Elections of 2021. Not like the result will be any different. The results will be in favour of the incumbent since 1986. The ones thinking otherwise is either naive or haven’t gotten the memo. There are some who causes a stir and fuzz, but they will not change the outcome.

The National Resistance Movement and President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni will linger on. Unless, there is a public outrage, uprising and a revolution of the general public. If that doesn’t happen… things will continue like they have done and without stop.

I have faith that Lt. Gen. Henry Tumukunde will go the whole distance, but the man does know his a lost one. The man knows he got no chance and is only forcing himself through the motions. The man has no aspiring qualities or moral turpitude to gain recognition in the general public. His campaign is bound fail and be a lost chapter even before the possible books on it is written.

Pastor and Activist Joseph Kabuleta can cause friction on the Social Media. The man can write and speak wisely, but gain public interest? No, that’s not happening. Not will his campaign make the government fear or get intimidated. The man is way above his league and the interests will fade. Especially, as the fortune-seeking policies isn’t dangerous to the NRM.

Pastor Fred Mwesigye will not be pushed or get traction. His just there to be a post-boy for something, but Gods knows what. I cannot think of him to get any possible reach, unless he wants to get more members to his congregation.

Businesswoman and former Reality Star Nancy Kalembe will not get anywhere either. She looked stunning on nomination day, but haven’t had funds to campaign. The days ahead will not be easier. There will be questions and you can even wonder. How she could afford to run, but not to campaign. That is just a weird state in itself.

The youngest candidate John Katumba is aspiring to the highest office, but doesn’t have the capacity to launch a proper campaign. He couldn’t even reach his manifesto launch. This sort of erratic behaviour. Nice to run to the Kyambogo to get the Nomination on Nomination Day and the glow of youth. However, he will be a punchline like Elton Joseph Mabarizi.

Mao, Mr. Norbert Mao of the Democratic Party came in as a nomination at the last minute. There was no warning really, except sudden tweets. The DP Party President is running for the second time, but hasn’t really ravished the Republic or tried to campaign with a proper team. Seems more like a mismatch of ideals and words, but no true campaign on his behalf. The 2011 campaign of Mao will look more professional, then the one his doing as a “seasoned” politician. That says a lot. The lost one with one of the oldest parties of the Republic.

Last and least of these is Eng. Willy Mayambala who wants to cut down the days of campaigning, who believes the manifesto will appear in front of the voters minds and will not afford to get everywhere to campaign. Yet, another candidate with lack of resources, but still had the ability to raise funds to be a nominee.

This just shows the characters who are running, in manner where their names on the ballot, but their candidates are shallow. They are not even trying and cannot afford to try. Still, they resolved the issues to be able to run in the first place.

These candidates will not manage anything. They will not cause friction or a stir, unless they are able to violate the minds of the President and his associates on social media. These folks will not make a difference in the scheme of things.

The real candidates which can bring hope in different ways are Mugisha Muntu, Patrick Oboi Amuriat and Robert Kyagulanyi. These three has a vision, a party and a program of change. These are people who are canvassing and trying to spread their message. Not just being on the ballot.

The other names get recognition and get accredited, even discussed in media. However, they will be as pivotal as Abed Bwanika or Maureen Kyala after the polls. Just wait and see… these folks are making some talk, but they will not make any change. It’s not happening now nor tomorrow. These doesn’t have what it takes. These are the lost ones, they might not know it yet, but it will appear in front of their eyes eventually. Peace.

Opinion: Prime Minister Abiy will be remembered for this bloodshed

The reasons and backstory to the conflict in Tigray is an important story, but not one I will touch. There is disinformation and propaganda out from both parties. The Prosperity Party (PP), the governing party in Addis Ababa has their reasons for their “manufactured consent” in this conflict, which is raving the Tigray region. Tigrayans are hurting because of the government attacks and the direct aim at dismantling a defiant regional party, the Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF).

The PP and Prime Minister Ahmed Ali Abiy cannot reverse this conflict now. The PM cannot stop the issues that it creates. The conflict and the warfare in the region has consequences for the civilians, internally displaced persons and everyone else who happens to be there. That is the nature of conflict. There is innocent parties, lives and livelihoods taken away, because the big-men has ordered this civil war.

There will be speculations and reasoning all different ways. It doesn’t help the Federal Government that it has used similar techniques and oppressive means towards the Tigray. As it has done when TPLF was coalition with the governing party PP. PP is the reformed and the consolidated party created out of the former government coalition Ethiopian People’s Revolutionary Defence Front (EPRDF). A EPRDF, which had parties from all regions ruling in accordance with the pact made. Where also TPLF was a key party and leader of it. Therefore, the PP is using their techniques to oppress the TPLF now.

The PP has done it with first disembark and disconnect the regional government from the Federal one. They stopped direct aid to the region and also tax funding of the regional government. The House of Federation dismissed and said the election this year in the region was “illegitimate” and “unconstitutional”. The Federal Government have blocked telephone-lines, social media block, internet and blocked roads to the region. The Federal Government also issued a State of Emergency and a Command Post there. The Federal Government have also termed the TPLF as a “Terrorist Organization” and now they are also taking away the immunity the TPLF leaders used to have. This is all done to criminalize and punish the TPLF by any means. While the TPLF have no ways of defending or addressing this by legal means, as the Federal Government is coming with arms, guns and soldiers to their region.

That is why the Prime Minister will be known not for peace, but for war. He has issued a war and doing direct warfare on his own citizens. Sending in air-raids, brigades of soldiers to take “back” land and get control of the Tigray region. The state isn’t interested in mediation or dialogue. The PP and PM seems to be focused on crushing the TPLF by all means of war. Not talk or negotiate, even if the International Community is condemning and if the multi-national bodies in the region wants to get involved like African Union and IGAD. Still, the PM seems not interested and only wants to totally revenge with anger towards the TPLF who didn’t join his “reforming” ways in the Prosperity Party.

Tigrayans has been purged from the state and affiliated work. This has happened because of what ethnic background they have and not even political affiliation. These has been sacked, arrested and so fourth. Even Taxi-drivers in Addis have been told stay home. There is also unverified speculation that sites been made in many of the regional states to house Tigrayans and keep them as convicts while the war is happening. However, that is only a few sources and not officially anywhere of yet.

Still, with all of this in mind. The Prime Minister has made this bed and is sleeping in it. He accepts the violence he prospers on and is issuing on civilians. Yes, the TPLF isn’t saints, but as a Head of State he is responsible for all of his citizens. As long as he has that Office. That is the role of him as PM. This is why his legacy will be known for this bloodshed. The killings of civilians, uprooting citizens and refugees elsewhere. The destruction of the Tigray region and all the costs it has for the people.

Yes, TPLF have been in the wrong. They misused their power and held at their capacity wrong-doings they should answer for in the courts and through due process. So, that there is equal before the law. Alas, here the state is the hangman and the judge before any evidence. Waging war with disinformation and propaganda. The TPLF answers with the same and therefore, the reporting is muddy as is. Since, the media is having a blackout and the state trying to sell their stories to the public. Which is why I’m questioning what is the truth and not.

However, in a conflict and warfare like this. The innocent dies, the civilians are hurt and the weak are the ones who are disappearing. The big-men survive and can continue to order violations of human rights and crimes against humanity. They can wage the war and accept the crimes committed in the name of war. This is done to win the war, but also secure the total destruction of the enemy. Because, that is the reason for the acts being made.

The Prosperity Party and Prime Minister isn’t doing this out of their kindness in their hearts. Just like the same leader isn’t ordering the arrests of political prisoners and silencing the Oromo leadership. Because, he cares about the population. The Prime Minister does this to consolidate more power. Just like he did, when he “reformed” the EPRDF into the PP. That is the sad reality of it all.

And as Head of State, as the Commander-in-Chief and the one on the top. Prime Minister Abiy is finally responsible for the actions made. He cannot run away from being accountable and answer for the sins committed during these days. This is his war and his orders. The decisions to do this is all on him.

The bloodshed, the massacres and the causes of violence in the name of this war is on him. The PM have to answer to this. Because, his responsible. I don’t care about the reason or back-story, because the innocent bystanders and citizens are targeted for no other apparent reason of their birth and ethnicity. A sort of variable that no human being decides on their own, but is born into. Therefore, it is unjust to pick one person out because of their ethnicity. That should never make anyone “criminal” unless they are actually doing something criminal or violating the law. This should make sense anyone.

To wage war over a possible “constitutional dispute” isn’t what we should see in 2020. The House of Federation and the Prosperity Party should act responsible as the governing party. As they have the options of deploying soldiers to anywhere in the Republic. Therefore, the PP and PM could have answered this differently. They could have investigated and used other legal means to answer this. Instead, they pulled the trigger and after trying to tell one story. The TPLF have done their wrongs and should also answer for that. However, I will not dismiss the wrongs that the current leaders doing.

This is why the ones dying, the ones killed and the ones fleeing is all on the Prime Minister Ahmed Ali Abiy watch. It is done with his conscience and through his judgement. This is why this bloodshed is his and only his. He could have stopped it and could have acted differently, but he picked this path. That is why … it is all on him. The man with the power, prestige and the office. The burden of action is on him.

Prime Minister Abiy will not be remembered for peace, but for war. That’s the truth of it all. Peace.

Ethiopia: Tigray Region Humanitarian Update – Situation Report No. 2 (11 November 2020)

Opinion: Museveni will never run in a fair election [and it’s not happening now either]

Don’t shoot the messenger… this is the brutal reality that everyone has to wake up too. The General Election and Presidential Election in 2021 will not be different than anything else we have seen my lifetime. In the Republic, there has only been one President and that has Yoweri Kaguta Museveni.

The Presidential Election of 2021 will be no different then the previous ones. There will be same sort of ordeal and arranged results, which will benefit the President and his growing patronage. That is the reality of our time.

To believe that this President who used a bush-war to get power will suddenly drop the mantle and give the nation a peaceful transition is naive. It is mind-boggling and also the aftermath of doing so would worry the old man. After everything said and done, he knows his sins and acts in office. The President knows what sort of behaviour he has used and what sort of regime he has run.

It doesn’t matter who runs against him… the intention isn’t to have a fair election or a level playing field. Neither is the election there to ensure the will of the people. No, the election is to buy “legitimacy” and “international recognition” for another term. So, that the President can gain loans and development grants to spoil himself and his relatives. We know the drill…

That people like Robert Kyagulanyi aka Bobi Wine is gaining momentum and popularity is a sign of hope. However, that is all it is. There been others who has fought this battle before and never become a victor.

There been Dr. Paul Ssemogerere and Dr. Kizza Besigye have fought this one and been popular at rallies, elections and even seemed like successors at the polls. They have used their campaigns and their message to gain massive popularity. Still, that haven’t been enough as it has fizzled out and the revolution is unfinished.

Just like they never finished it.

It doesn’t matter if

Bobi Wine is able to rise to the stars,

If … Patrick Amuriat Oboi is able to travel to the black hole…

Even if Mugisha Muntu can speak in tongues and defy gravity.

Still, none of this men will succeed through the ballot. The ballot is only a game, which Museveni does for a purpose. These men will all fail. Not because there is anything wrong with their campaigns or with their will to get a peaceful transition from Museveni. They will not do it this way.

If the General Election goes through the motions, the normal campaigns and sloganeering across the Republic. There will very little achieved. The Presidential Candidates of the past done the same. The big crowds, the momentum and the sudden rise of an opposition candidate, but Museveni ends on top after waiting a few days after the polls. In days of media and social media blackouts. Opposition arrests and raids, also house-arrests of the key opposition leaders as well. Therefore, this game is ready and set.

Museveni will not play soft, this is his rule and reign. The President will not lose it all and his not gambling it.

This piece is not to downplay Bobi Wine and his allies. No, it is just to say. We have been here before.. I have seen similar before and therefore, unless there is a revolution and a popular uprising. The President and his allies cannot contain. Then there is no reason for him to flee his State House and give up his estates. He owns it all and unless his pressured in a manner, which he cannot control. I doubt he will give it up.

He fought and he has no plans to give it up. There is no plan to do so. If he has continued like this for this long. I doubt he suddenly will have an epiphany and come to his senses. However, there is no will and way for him act democratically and ensure a peaceful transition. That ship has sailed. Therefore, the futile thinking this election will be decided by the polls is totally bonkers.

That is already secured long time ago.

Not like he planned to have a free and fair election, because if he did… he would risk losing and that would never happen. The man cannot lose … that is not in the cards. Peace.

South Sudan: Sudan People’s Liberation Movement/ Army – In Opposition (SPLM/A-(IO)) – Press Statement (11.11.2020)

Sudan: TMC’s 3rd June 2019 Massacre proven with the finding of a mass grave in Khartoum

Rapid Support Forces soldier records the massacre. He says: “kill them all. They took away my holiday” The woman at the end is asked “military or civilian (governmentt)?” Under durress, she says “military,” The soldier responds “If you said civilian, I will show you.”” (Sudan In The News, 03.06.2019).

Today the The Commission of Inquiry into the Disappearance of Missing Person found a mass grave dating to the 3rd Jne 2019 massacre, which was ordered and done by the Transitional Military Council (TMC). The TMC ordered this or the Sudan Uprising and the Sudanese Revolution, which toppled Al-Bashir months before.

The ones responsible of this massacre and mass grave is in-charge today in the Sovereign Council. This being General Al-Burhan and General Hemiti. These two should be implicated into the murders and the hiding of the missing people from July 2019. It isn’t decades back and you cannot find the paperwork or paper-trail to find the ones ordering it and burying it.

The past of the TMC is now hunting it. They maybe hope this will blow over and not cost them. As the Sudanese have secured more recognition abroad and diplomatic victories. Therefore, today’s news show’s what the leaders within the Sovereign Council is capable of. This is the men who was loyal and army commanders within the regime of Al-Bashir. Not some random leaders becoming technocrats in a Transitional Government.

Here is one timeline. Explaining the gist of what happened. Clearly, there are numbers missing of deceased. As the findings of a mass grave says a lot!

Humanitarian Aid Relief Trust (HART) timeline:

June 3rd

Protest leaders say security forces attack their Khartoum sit-in at the centre of the movement, opening fire, torching tents and killing more than 100 people and injuring over 300. The assault on June 3 marked the worst violence in Sudan since the April 11 overthrow of long-time leader Omar al-Bashir. The security forces’ bloody dispersal of the weeks-long sit-in outside the military headquarters in Khartoum drew sharp condemnation from the United Nations, the African Union (AU) and others.

June 3rd-July 9th

Severe restriction to the internet throughout Sudan from June 3 to July 9 on orders of the ruling Transitional Military Council.

June 4th

40 bodies pulled from the Nile’ after deadly violence. The Central Committee of Sudanese Doctors (CCSD) said 40 bodies were retrieved from the Nile River” (HART – ‘Sudan Briefing: May – July 2019 Timeline of Events’ 15.07.2019).

On the 3rd June 2019 I wrote this:

The TMC will be remembered for this, these acts of evil. They got blood on their hands and it will haunt them, just like the rest of them. At one point it will get caught up and destroy them. The TMC is only protecting itself, not the people. The army is supposed to protect the territory and the citizens of it, not colonize and destroy it to rule, but that is what it does” (Minbane – ‘Sudan: The TMC colonized Khartoum today!’ 03.06.2019).

The haunting of the TMC happened today as it revealed to what extent. A Mass Grave entails a lot of bodies dumped on place, buried in haste to hide the “evidence” and hope it decompose before anyone finds the skeletons of the dead bodies. However, the Commission of Inquiryi nto the Disappearance of Missing Person found the ones unreported and missing from that fatal day.

The actions of the TMC is now evident. They made a Mass Grave out of the massacre. Not only the dead dropped into the river Nile. The Rapid Support Force (RSF) or the Janjaweed should be held accountable and responsible. Also, the other military agencies that did this. The lives taken is on their watch and their orders. The TMC members of the Sovereign Council should answer for this.

They have already tried to hide it and shown their true acts of deviousness. Hopefully the families who lost people can get some relief and see the remains of their loved ones. However, their deaths should be answered. The sins of the leaders ordering this needs to be held to account. These people deserves justice and deserves to honoured. Not just being a token of how the TMC got away from the law and got legitimized months later. Peace.

Ethiopia: Clashes in Ethiopia’s Tigray region force thousands to flee to Sudan (11.11.2020)

UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, is working with authorities in Sudan to provide lifesaving assistance to more than 7,000 refugees from Ethiopia, who have fled across the border in the past two days.

The women, children and men reaching Sudan are seeking safety after a week of fighting between the Ethiopian federal government and the Tigray regional government forces.

Inside Sudan, arriving refugees are being temporarily sheltered in transit centres located near the border entry points of Ludgi in Gederef and Hamdayet in Kassala state. Water and meals are being provided. UNHCR and local authorities are jointly screening and registering people.

Expecting more refugee arrivals in the neighbouring countries, UNHCR is stepping up emergency relief preparedness in the region working with governments and partners to put in place measures to respond to additional displacements as the situation evolves.

“We are urging governments in the neighbouring countries to keep their borders open for people forced from their homes,” said UNHCR Regional Bureau Director, Clementine Nkweta-Salami, “While at the same, asking the Ethiopian authorities to take steps that will allow us to keep providing assistance in safety to refugees and internally displaced within Tigray.”

With thousands of refugees arriving at the Sudanese border in the space of 24 hours, and with the conflict appearing to escalate, the number is likely to rise sharply. This will require a significant mobilization of resources to address the needs of those seeking asylum.

Inside Ethiopia, UNHCR is deeply concerned for the more than 96,000 Eritreans living in the four refugee camps and the host community living alongside them, as well as the 100,000 people in Tigray who were already internally displaced at the start of the conflict.

Roads are blocked and electricity, phone and Internet are down, making communication nearly impossible. There is a shortage of fuel, and banking services have halted resulting in a lack of cash.

While camps are not in the immediate conflict zone, UNHCR remains worried about the safety of refugees and humanitarian workers due to the relative proximity of the camps to the fighting and the deteriorating situation. Access to refugees and others affected by the conflict remains a concern, including lack of access to border areas.

Guinee: Front National pour la Defense de la Constitution (FNDC) – Communique No. 149 (10.11.2020)

Ethiopia: The Sun is setting on Prime Minister Abiy’s legacy

This month has really revealed the thirst of blood. The bloodshed and the reports coming from the Tigray Region is worrying some. There are so much speculation and conflicting information coming out. Therefore, there is key aspects to this.

One, the dismissed, the disfranchised and shunned local government, Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF) is in defence. The TPLF have been the ruling party within the Ethiopian People’s Revolutionary Defence Force (EPRDF), which is the former tormentor and oppressor of the Federal Republic. Therefore, if anyone knows the ticks of the political game. The TPLF knows and they also waged war to gain control of the Republic.

Two, is the Prosperity Party who is sending the army, Liyu Police and Amhara militias against the TPLF. The Prosperity Party is the ones left behind of the rebranded and consolidated EPRDF. This is way of the Prime Minister Ahmed Ali Abiy to gain more control of the government.

There is a talk of a third party in this conflict, but that isn’t verified. That the Eritrean Army is attacking Badme and other areas. These has been dismissed, but is still floating around. It is very hard to get the information. Therefore, I don’t know if it is true or not.

This is an effort made because of a constitutional spat between the Federal Government and the Regional Government. Also, a fall-out, which happened before that as the PM made the PP. While TPLF didn’t want to be apart of the that. Therefore, the grudges of old, as well as the leadership of PP in the new cabinet consist mostly of allies of the PM from the ANDM and OPDO.

Today, there is reporting of 6000 citizens fleeing from the region over to Sudan. This is Sudan News Agency that reports. There are reports of over 500 killed by battles between them. These 500 killed civilians has been used as propaganda for both parties. Claiming one or the other has killed them.

There is also the number of 2500 soldiers killed, but that is unverified.

In the midst of all this there is a purge on Tigrians citizens across the board. There is reports of civil servant, police officers and army commanders arrested for their ethnic background. Even taxi drivers in Addis who are suspended from doing their job.

There has also been arrest of 17 army commanders who disrupted the communications system and exposed federal forces to the TPLF. This was Military Top Officers who disagreed with the war and did reveal what was going on from Addis.

The state is also going after the media. This because the media is going against the “constitution” and isn’t following “rule of law”. Which is the whole reason for this conflict between PP and TPLF.

Today’s arrests includes:

Haftu Gebregziabher, of the Ethiopian Herald

Tsegay Hadush, of the Ethiopian Herald

Abreha Hagos, of the Arabic Al-Alem

Medhanie Ekubamichael of Addis Standard was rearrested today.

The Prime Minister is also stating in Amharic on social media that sun is setting on the Mekelle junta. This meaning the days are ending for TPLF. He also retorted on social media saying there would be no negotiations with them. He speak of their brutality, but not seeing his own. As it is not like this PM haven’t ushered in bloodshed in Oromia to be in power too. Therefore, the newest oppressor is lecturing the old on brutality. That is just stating mere fact.

IGAD, African Union and United Nations has pleaded for a cease fire. However, we know now that the PM will not stop until he has cornered and destroyed the TPLF. While the TPLF has no plan to lay down or die. They are planning to defend themselves. Therefore, this conflict will be prolonged and will be a bloodshed with huge numbers. These numbers are civilians and persons who will not return. That is how cheap lives are …

The Prime Minister has been asked to negotiate from IGAD and also mediate with Special Envoy Kalonzo Musyoka from Kenya. However, the PM has said no to these. With all of these actions. The Prime Minister’s legacy will be the bloodshed. The PM will be remembered for the airstrikes on civilians in cities in Tigray. The PM is issuing warfare in his own republic.

That is the reality of it all. It is a tragedy. Where people are dying and losing their lives as two parties are battling for supremacy. There is nothing good coming out of this. Only big-men trying to show hubris and overcome each other. Peace.