Opinion: Barefooted or not, POA needs to run a marathon…

The Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) is in a unusual space. The FDC isn’t the one causing the most havoc or being the apparent target of the authorities. Yes, the FDC still has issues with the Police Force. The authorities are still monitoring all their moves and acts with impunity. However, not to the extent,which they have done before and not in the manner we are accustomed too.

The FDC has a new Presidential Candidate, this being Party President Patrick Oboi Amuriat. A Besigye hard-liner and staunch supporter. POA has the drive and the resilience of the party. He has seen what the authorities and the state has done to the party. However, his able to build support within and collect added support outside.

I still don’t see how POA is going to galvanise and extort big-man-ship ahead of 2021. The man doesn’t extend the hand or the words to address the concerns. His the sort of technical politician. The man knows his game and is a perfect technocrat, but he hasn’t the charisma or the edge to gain major popularity.

POA can build on Besigye’s Plan B with his Barefoot campaign, but he will always be in his shadow. That is an impossible task and a race he cannot win. POA can be genuine and show mercy towards people. However, he will not bring the masses to the streets.

POA and the FDC is weaker with him running. They shown maturity as a party to not have a sole candidate. The FDC has shown character and shown to have a machinery. The same organization that brought fear and got intimidated on a daily basis, because of the defiance campaign. However, this barefoot strategy will spearhead the supporters who are there. Nevertheless not bring so many new people to the fold.

The opposition is divided. There are already to moderate candidates, Muntu and Mao. POA is fighting in the same space as Bobi Wine. They are two different breeds and it shows. POA doesn’t have the same reach or scope as Bobi Wine. Even if they are fighting for the same cause and wanting the same change. These two are still not at the same levels.

POA is the poor-mans Bobi Wine. That is sad to say. Besigye would the one that resembles Bobi Wine the most. POA is like knock-off version who aspire to be there, but falls flat. The man means well and shows his character again and again. He proves that he can stand under storms, but he will not be able to sort everything out to get to port. Not by his own self and not by his leadership as a captain. The man always needs to bend on the previous leader.

The Barefoot campaign can be a wise move, but compared to Bobi Wine whose spearheading a revolution. Those two are two different animals. The revolution of Bobi Wine is more like the Defiance. Therefore, POA should use the Plan B and make it his. Do it even together with Besigye and be a duo to the public.

We knows this man wants to do well and make a difference. However, his means and the way he moves doesn’t scare the government as much as it used too. Even if the FDC is blocked and has issues to campaign. Still, it isn’t on the same levels and it is visible.

POA cannot just walk barefooted, he needs to run a marathon. He needs to run circles around the authorities and the state itself to even have a chance. However, by the way his conducting himself. I cannot see it. This is why he needs the old brigade to bring him a structure and a edge. Peace.

Ethiopia: Abiy’s War Cabinet

This week Prime Minister Ahmed Ali Abiy announced the start of military escalation on the 3rd November. Since, then the state has gone into full gear, moving soldiers and using air-strikes in Mekelle, the capital of the Tigray state. This is all deliberate act by the Federal Government to show muscle and use force against Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF) who have defied the Federal Government and even held an election in September.

The Prime Minister is now using more strength and power towards the TPLF. Even trying to muster international community to understand his reasoning for going to war. The man is using the army to silence the Tigrayan people and its leadership. The Prosperity Party is already arresting, sacking and going after the ethnic Tigrayan in civil service, army and in state owned enterprises. The PP is going on total warfare against them.

That is why the Prime Minister needs to ensure he has loyal allies who he can trust. As his battling wars on several of fronts. The PM is now ensuring he has persons he can trust in his cabinet. In the new changes,

Demeke Mekonnen will both be his deputy and the Foreign Minister.

General Birhanu Jula is appointed to the Chief of Staff of the Army.

Lieutenant General Abebaw Tadesse appointed as the Deputy Chief of Staff of the Army.

Gedu Andargachew appointed as the Advisor to National Security.

Temesgen Tiruneh appointed as the Head of the National Intelligence and Security Services (NISS)

Demelash Gebremichael appointed as the Commissioner of the Federal Police.

These are all loyalists from either OPDO or ANDM who became the PP. He has done these changes to have a better control and consolidate power even more. To people who he trusts and knows will fight his cause.

They have created this war-cabinet and done this changes. To ensure the warfare goes as planned in Tigray. Also, most likely also have the efforts to stop possible demonstrations, protests and issues appearing in Oromia. As the state is already heavily armed, use of force and stifled dissidents in the region there as well. Even if they didn’t issue war like they have in Tigray.

Abiy is issuing war and military operations. This is why he has changed his cabinet to fit the program of war. To have his closest allies. So, that they will have his back in the middle of this. Because, the toxic behaviour will have costs and implications for the PM too. They are throwing blame and trying to forge a narrative, which isn’t true. They faked a war and now they have to live with the bloodshed. They got to live with the fleeing refugees to Sudan. There will be more effects as this prolongs. Not only losing a jet fighter, but loose life as well. There is reports of casualties on the border between Amhara and Tigray. Therefore, this is just the beginning and the first week of it.

The PM is feeling the pressure. The need to address it and the need to state his “truth” which is totally fabricated. The PP and the PM knows this, but they need to sell their story. TPLF has been wrong and been tyrants in the past. However, the tyranny right now is coming from the PP and the PM. Who is ordering air-strikes on civilians and creating a war to prove his arrogance.

The PM hope to get help to solve this and have the support system to continue this by appointing these people. So, that he has allies he can trust in the middle of warfare in Tigray. Because, that is what his doing currently. It is tragic, it is pointless and it is only done for him to prove a point. Not because its legitimate or sincere. None of this is. Only hubris and lack of integrity. Peace.

Ethiopia: Prime Minister Ahmed Ali Abiy – Putting an End to impunity: The Case for Enforcing Federal Laws in Tigray (08.11.2020)

Opinion: Trump doesn’t deserve a pardon

For a President of the calibre of Donald J. Trump. He does not deserve pardon, neither is it righteous. To all the folks he has hurt in his time in office. The way the Trump Administration has operated and worked. It is only right that the head of that government acts accountable. For a man who has stifled any investigation and used the office to get away from prosecution.

Trump has stopped the Congress in their investigations, blocked witnesses and avoided to release documents and testify. The man knows his in the wrong. The White House has breached the Hatch Act so many times. The White House has used foreign policy to earn profits for the Trump Organization. The Trump estates and hotels has been places of trading policies over a secret meeting. While profiting on the business and the deals being made.

This President have issued harsh treatment of civilians, asylum-seekers and minorities. The President have shown no remorse and no concern in putting kids in cages and separating families. This man has had no issues breaching international law and human rights violations. Stop the ICC from investigating practices in Afghanistan. A President dropping bombs all the time in Somalia with no oversight.

Trump needs to answer for sins. The criminal activity, the ones where he has conspired with foreign entities and foreign operatives to ensure victory. The man needs to answer the usage of the office for own personal gains. That is necessary by all accounts. Unless, the US is fine with a open corruption and heist within the oval office. That is all up to them.

This man didn’t care if he traded Syrian bases and the Kurdish allies over a business deal in Turkey. That is what this President does and did it willingly. Giving his Trump Organization funding, while selling the stakes of American army abroad. That is what he has done. This is why he has a failed coup in Venezuela on his hands too. Where he even invited the wanted man on the throne at the State of the Union speech. This is how blatant the man operated.

Trump needs to answer for his misgivings, his lack of action and response to the COVID-19 and Coronavirus. There are so many cases and so many times he could have saved lives, but didn’t act. As the Commander-in-Chief. He could have sheltered more lives, but they weren’t important to him. If they were? He would have used enough of his power to install more Supreme Court justices. Because, he had the energy to do that…

Donald J. Trump needs to answer for his activity. Every action made during his tenure. The ill-will and the breaches of trust. The misuse of office and the corrupt activities done in broad daylight. As he was willing to trade the White House and Congress for some sweet dollars. That was his game. At the same time galvanise his supporters with White Supremacy and racist policies, which needs to be addressed now. Because, some of them will be a brunt on families for generations. Where the kids and parents are lost from each other and cannot live life together. That is all because of what Trump ordered and did.

As President, he was responsible for this. That is his legacy of how he treated people. How a President picked business interests over people’s security to have heath care insurance. That is the sort of man he is. If he has a heart? It is either for money or maybe Ivanka. The rest can sail their own boat. The people is useful to cheer him up, but can drown for all he cares. He wants titles and glories.

He can send the army and brutalize citizens for doing their legal duty of demonstrating. The man can use his office to dismantle and destroy people’s lives, because there is a buck for him in the end. That is the legacy of Trump. He is willing to trade lives over profit. Use foreign operatives to win elections and obstruct justice to overcome litigations.

This is why he needs to answer in the Courts of Law. That is why he needs to spend time to address petitions and cases pending. Why he needs to address the possible tax evasion, wire-fraud and whatever else awaiting him in the courts. Plus a possible of other investigations happening after his time in office. Because, that would be healthy and this time around he cannot block witnesses from testifying. Which he has done deliberately while he was in office.

President Trump doesn’t deserve to pardoned. If he gets pardoned, then you have forgotten about the kids in cages and the Zero Tolerance Policy. A policy he accepted and vouched for. Where he gave no mercy to asylum seekers. The same no mercy he deserves, as he enters the Courts of Law. That is justified and this man doesn’t deserve a bargain. He acted with haste to put other people’s lives in danger. It is time that he answers for that and also pays the price for doing so. Peace.

Cote d’Ivoire: Communique de Generations et Peuples Solidaires suite a l’arrestation de l’ancien Premier ministre Pascal Affi N’Guessan (07.11.2020)

Ethiopia: TPLF President Debretsion Gebremichael letter to President Cyril Ramaphosa (06.11.2020)

Somalia: Wadajir Party – Press Statement (07.11.2020)

A look into Bobi Wine’s Manifesto Launch Speech

Our assurance is that when we take over government, which we shall soon do, the people of Uganda will for the first time in history become the bosses and the leaders will be servants!”Robert Kyagulanyi aka Bobi Wine on the 7th November 2020

Today was the day the National Unity Platform finally launched its manifesto. This after being blocked from doing so yesterday and moved to stadium outside of Mbarara. The NUP shifted place,e but goals stay the same. I will look into key points from this speech. As this sets the tone of it all. He continues on the 5 point programme to revitalize the government, which I have already analysed before in comparison to Museveni’s 10 Point Programme. So, it is natural that the Manifesto has focus on this.

However, what is key is some other statements during the speech. Which shows his sentiment and his belief that he can make a difference. Where the NUP and People Power can come into play. That is what I am looking for here and will discuss.

Fellow citizens, before I go into any policy alternatives, allow me to mention that the greatness of any nation does not lie in having a beautiful manifesto or even in having many well written policy documents. The greatness of any nation lies in the commitment of leaders who say what they mean and mean what they say. It lies in having patriotic leaders who relate with the challenges of ordinary citizens. Brothers and sisters, the greatness of any nation lies in having leaders who are focused on the next generation and not on the next general election” (Bobi Wine, 07.11.2020).

Here he state a mere fact. This is something the National Resistance Movement has done for ages. The NRM have come with beautiful plans and policies. However, they haven’t implemented it. They have come with pledges and promises, but never delivered on it. Here it seems like Bobi Wine has the right focus. To think further than an election cycle, but a generation ahead.

It speaks to a government which does not care whatsoever about the plight of the people! The election year is yet again upon us, and yet again, Gen. Museveni has come again with the same promises, which he has no intention of fulfilling- not now, not in the future. This is the tragedy of Uganda” (Bobi Wine, 07.11.2020).

The recycling and repeating promises of the regime is tiring. The state and the President have come at every election cycle with huge promises, which he will never keep. Costly and needed pledges, which he has no tab to cover. Just what the public wants to hear, but not deliver. That is what he has done and still has no plan doing. Therefore, Bobi Wine is speaking the truth here. A truth the NRM and the President will hurry to dismiss…

In a nutshell ladies and gentlemen, A vote for NUP is a vote for a renewed commitment to the dignity of all citizens of Uganda. For the respect of fundamental human rights. For the recognition that all citizens are equal before and under the law. That will be a new Uganda for us. A Uganda In which citizens are free to enjoy their God given rights and freedoms” (Bobi Wine, 07.11.2020).

This statement from Bobi Wine came after he listed several of pledges, as he promised to nearly all parts of the citizens to see changes. Where the limitations of state, changes of governance and direct government. Like less cabinet members and other technical changes to save the state so it could prioritize funds for civil service and public service in general, which in the end would deliver better government services to its citizens. Not only be a government filled with patronage and corruption.

He really speaks with velocity of change, in a manner, which only resembles Besigye. That is what he did with the speech today. As he launches a manifesto. A manifesto that only reflects all the things the NRM have failed over the years. Because, if the NRM had delivered and done their duty. The NUP and Bobi Wine wouldn’t need to deliver these pledges and promises of change.

The final key to let it happen is this:

This is a liberation struggle. It will take all of us citizens to complete this mission” (Bobi Wine, 07.11.2020).

He cannot do this alone. To become the servant with an office. Bobi Wine needs to the citizens to join the struggle and the challenge to defeat the regime. That will not be easy. This has been proven before and will be the truth again. If the public wants someone else than Museveni. They have to fight and be resilient. It isn’t a one-man job, but a mission for everyone. Hopefully the public is listening. Peace.

Ethiopia: The Emperor of War [who tricked the world to believe he came in peace]

Once upon a time there was a change of Prime Minister’s. As one was stepping down after humiliation and overpowering with use of force on protesters. The new man promised reforms and dialogue. The new Prime Minister wanted to talk to all opposition and shake the hands of the enemies of the state.

The Prime Minister made agreements, signed of deals with militias, rebels, political parties and everyone else who had been seen as enemies in the past. He sat down with them and he invited back leaders from exile. Freed political leaders and journalists from prison. He made peace and negotiations with neighbours. It seemed like he would bring peace and development.

Alas, it was all a mirage. A make belief, only to buy time and get the booster of his ego. The man wanted glory, he wants everyone to worship him. His the emperor and the lord of the manor. The Prime Minister is the big-man and the one everyone has to follow. You are supposed to praise him and look at his wonders.

However, the trick of peace gave him laurels, they even gave him a Nobel Peace Prize for making cease-fire and peace with Eritrea. The man looked like he could amend and ensure peace. He even made a Ministry of Peace and appointed a man to lead it.

Nevertheless, his scruples and his hunger for power has come to the surface. As he later betrayed the ideals of what gave him praise. He started to kill protesters, arrest the ones who dissent, journalist behind bars and making political prisoners. The Prime Minister made “fake coups” to install leaders friendly to him in Amhara. The PM used a fake assassination to crack-down on opposition as well. There been so many state sponsored violence towards civilians. That has been done all across the Republic. Massacres and extra judicial killings.

The only difference now. Is that it’s all deliberate action made by the Prime Minister to use air-strikes, call the opposition terrorist, take away their powers and have already ceased co-operation with them before that. The Federal Government had already cut of ties, ceased to send government funds and suspended aid to the region. Therefore, the PM had deliberately started the fight with bureaucracy against the Tigray.

Now, he has ordered the troops and the Federal Government have taken over with an interim government of the state too. Taking over everything and dismissing the regional election in September by force, which is a further escalation. As well, as the state is going after everyone with the Tigrayan people from all parts of society. If they are in the army, police or any state affiliated organization. They will be sacked and put on leave, if not arrested. The state has gone to total war.

This is why over 3500 Tigrayan refugees has fled to Sudan within this week. The armed forces attack on the region has caused this uproar so people flee their homes. This the sort of man came in peace, but is issuing war.

Prime Minister Ahmed Ali Abiy is a war-lord. Everything he does is a retaliation, because the Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF) wouldn’t follow his orders and his word. Instead, they wanted to reign on their own terms. That wasn’t acceptable. This is why he issues orders of arms, soldiers and tanks. His not seeking mediation and uses all pre-texts, even making up issues to send troops. That is the sort of man the Prime Minister is.

He prefers war, the man prefer conflict and destruction. He might build beautiful parks in Addis, but elsewhere is making schools into prisons and making fields into graveyards. With the blood of the civilians his supposed to represent. The people that he should trust and keep safe. The PM is supposed to be there for them, but instead he comes with force and take their freedoms away.

Before it was Oromia and the Oromo who was feeling the blunt force of the PM. They we’re not only getting their leaders behind bars and their activists dying in the streets. Now, the same PM is trying to bury the TPLF and the Tigrayan people.

The Emperor made it seem like he came in peace, but in reality he came in war. He wanted the idea of being a mediator, but in reality his just another war-lord. Peace.

Ethiopia: IGAD Is Concerned By Recent Development In Ethiopia (07.11.2020)

7 November 2020 (DJIBOUTI, Djibouti): The Intergovernmental Authority on Development IGAD expresses its concern on the recent development in Ethiopia, specifically the situation in the Tigray Region of Ethiopia which IGAD is following closely.

IGAD calls the Government of Ethiopia and concerned parties to show restraint, work on de-escalating the tensions and resolve their differences through dialogue and reconciliation.

IGAD and the world community are counting on the perspicacity and wisdom of the Government of Ethiopia and concerned parties to come together and make a final peaceful solution.

IGAD believes that Ethiopia has been a beacon of stability and economic development in the region and a pillar for peace and Security. Finally, IGAD is looking forward to a return of normalcy of the Country soon and will keep on following the development.