Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF): EFF Statement on the Uganda Elections Outcome (18.01.2021)

Movement for Democratic Change – Alliance (MDC-Alliance): Statement on the just Ended Uganda Election (18.01.2021)

Opinion: Bobi Wine has two choices ahead [either to follow Besigye’s advice or become compromised in Parliament]

Now that the Electoral Commission and the authorities are moving ahead. The state is steam-rolling ahead… and they are awaiting to be legitimized again. That is just the bleak reality of the rigged election and the aftermath of the 14th January 2021 polls. The National Resistance Movement (NRM) and President Museveni is just forging this ahead. Just like nothing happened and washing their hands of dirt. In a manner, which all the blood, deprivations and atrocities within the Elections Road Map doesn’t matter anymore. The objective is fixed and they can now bash glory again.

However, there are opposition parties that now has to choose how they move ahead. The Opposition parties and the ones who has stakes in the Republic. They got to make a stance. The People Power Movement and National Unity Platform (NUP) have the biggest stakes aside from the NRM in the 11th Parliament. The Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) comes in at second. The Uganda People’s Congress (UPC) got a better verdict now than last time and Democratic Party (DP) is weakened.

The NUP and FDC have to decide how they want to play now. If they wanted to be United Forces for Change (UFC). If they want to challenge the government heads-on. The dilemma will be… do they take the easy coins in government or do they challenge the whole election?

If this is a revolution. Will the NUP and Bobi Wine take a stand and not accept being the Leaders of the Opposition. Will the newly minted opposition dare to challenge and also walk-out on the political elite after a big victory for such a new party?

That is the risks of Bobi Wine. He can be compromised and be tainted by the 11th Parliament. As his strides and bargains there will not be a sign of defiance or #WeAreRemovingaDictator, but more compromise. Compromise is a usual tool of politics and a way for to parties to get to a middle ground. However, doing that here… then Museveni is getting a lot of leverage with very little cost him. The price of being honourable and getting titles. The NUP has more to loose and also risks questioning their movement.

That is just the grand scheme of things. Just like the FDC did betray their defiance by accepting titles and positions within the 10th Parliament. The NUP is now under the same scrutiny. They can trade-off their hard-liner stance and be just another political party.

Bobi Wine and his party has sold a dream. That dream could easily turn to nightmare. Nobody expected to be fulfilled in one go. There is to many enablers and systems created to ensure longevity for Museveni. That is why Bobi Wine was doomed to loose. Nevertheless, he still shows progress and popularity with the amount of MPs. Still, that’s where the question now lays.

What sort of plan ahead does Bobi Wine has? What will Bobi Wine do? He got to prove that not only the election is rigged, but that they are prolonging the efforts to get a peaceful transition from Museveni. This is where he needs to go back to the drawing board. Even look at history and what Besigye have done. To reflect and also get enlighten on how to manoeuvrer on the burning rocks around him.

Bobi Wine have followed the ideal of Besigye and created his “Awakening Movement”. Bobi Wine has also created a network of activists that works together and is coordinated. That is the two first steps of creating a transition.

What Bobi Wine needs to next is to work together to “disempower and break down the junta”. That’s done with actions of defiance and not following the rules, which the NRM is making. That is risky, but done together can weak the system and halt the possible government from governing. This is done with demonstrations, riots and just stop to support companies associated with or owned by the government.

The fourth of Besigye is getting the public servants, soldiers and law enforcement involved in struggle. Get them involved and becoming supporters of the cause. In such a manner, that they cannot act upon orders and silence the opposition who is working to weakening the state. That is risky one, as this might end up with more jail-time and pre-emptive arrests. However, there is a need to enlighten and ensure the civil servants are loyal to the idea of a state and not just the party.

The fifth and last point of Besigye is to work with CSOs, NGOs and other civil society formations to join in the activities. That they are working together in activities to weaken the state. They will participate in the defiance and disempower of the junta. That is what he says and could be guidelines for Bobi Wine to continue.

Because at this point. Bobi Wine has choices to make. So, does all part of the NUP. This party can choose which way it wants to go. The state will use force. It will continue to be violent and detain people on political grounds. The state could easily kill civilians associated with the NUP. So, these folks needs to reparations and answers. The dead need to accounted for and these lives should matter. That is why just a few seats in a bloated Parliament shouldn’t be enough.

Not when the machinery and the functions of the state is still prepared to destroy and assault everything Bobi Wine stands for. That is why he can either follow the advice of Besigye. Advice he talked about on the 11th July 2017 and should be relevant today.

As a leader he can follow the steps of Besigye, but he can elevate where he left off. As there is proof of support and tiredness of this regime. Bobi Wine can push ahead. It will continue to cost, but the political gambit will be heroic. The risks he has already taken and the price he has already paid, says a lot. Therefore, the man knows the stakes. Bobi Wine is following the steps of Besigye. As he is house-arrested, party besieged by law enforcement and no middle ground for him to walk.

That is why he can decide to concede or accept the verdict. Take the seats and continue to use his influence or continue on the revolutionary path. This isn’t an easy decision. So many risks, so many variables and possible losses. However, he can either run out of options and see his folk get compromised in Parliament or continue a rocky road.

That is what Bobi Wine has to decide. It is not easy. Bobi Wine has inspired and will continue to do so regardless. Nevertheless, he can either persist to push the boundaries or take it slow. Taking it slow is risky as well. Since then he will see what the envelopes and titles does to his comrades. Bobi Wine will see what the NUP becomes when it get established and part of the process.

This is why he needs to decide where to go now. That choice is his and his only. However, the man needs to decide. His advisors and team needs to be objective and think ahead. Not only think for the short-con, but for the long-con. Because, that is what the state does and follow the program to make Museveni President for Life. Peace.

Kenya: Ministry of Interior & Coordination of National Government – Updated Response against Crimes in Kapedo (18.01.2021)

Burundi: CFOR-Arusha – Communique de Presse (16.01.2021)

My Honest Letter to President Museveni: Congratulation, you have created your own 1980 Election in 2021!

18th January 2021.

Dear Sir, His Excellency (H.E.) President Yoweri Tibuhurwa Kaguta Museveni!

Congratulations on repeating the sins of our forefathers. Congratulations on repeating the ills of former rulers and ensuring the world a repetition of the pains of the past in our current time. You should be proud that you are repeating the violations of the ones you toppled to get in office. That must surely be a sweet feeling at your estate or farm.

Mr. President, you must be proud of the soldiers and law enforcement who has killed on your orders. That police officers and armed officers has unwarranted abducted, detained and murdered civilians who dared to associate themselves with others than you.

Mr. President, you must be proud of having ghost voters, blocking citizens from voting and having rigged this election. You must be so proud of the achievement of disfranchising and making the process of election into a farce. That must make you so giddy. Knowing that polling stations isn’t counted. Polling stations not open on time or having enough equipment. Ensuring the public not ready or not caring if they voted at all. As the pre-ticked ballots in your favour was the key aspect of it all.

Mr. President, you must be so proud that the authorities has gone after and is hunting down opposition polling agents and mobilizers. Since they have DR Forms from Polling Stations, which will reveal the trick of the trade and why you are a “victor”. The way you are ordering and securing your own future. That must the aspiration of these days. Keeping alive the throne and the powers all in your hands.

Mr. President, you must be so proud of keeping people in the dark. Only having a mass media spreading your words and your propaganda. That you have all ears and all eyes on the game. You have the people spreading the news you want and the reports of your wish.

Mr. President, you must be so proud of the willingness of the public to succumb to your tactics. To fear you and your army. That the public is fearing you and your intimidation tactics. That must make you so proud. That you act like a mob-boss and collect taxes for their safety. If someone turns on you or your made men you get rid of them. The same you do Mr. President in this election. It must make you so proud.

You must be so happy and refreshed. That you have the whole thing in your hand. You are targeting the opposition. Getting the fixed results from your appointed people within the Electoral Commission. If there will be en Electoral Petition or Constitutional Court Petition. The ones you have appointed there will answer you pleas and ensure nothing real happens. It will be another way of legitimize this election. Which you know perfectly well is a fraud and a fake.

That is why you should be so proud. Your giving the world and Uganda a taste of 1980 election. You are serving the public the same reasons for why you went to the bush. Mr. President, you have giving the world a lesson in how to rig an election to perfection. Nobody has done it as bold and brazen like you. The man who went to war over a rigged election. You must be so proud and I’m sure your mocking Tito Okello, Milton Obote and Idi Amin right now. Because, you beat them and now you have tricked Bobi Wine too.

Mr. President you must be so proud of your work. You have done it again. What you should ask yourself, Mr. President. How long do you think the soldiers and law enforcement accept living in poverty fighting for you? How long do think the public accept being taken for fools? How long do you think the donors and military suppliers will support your missions? How long do you think the elites and politicians will accept these sort of games?

At one point or another, Mr. President, the centre will not hold. At one point, there will be things giving and hurting you, Mr. President. That is just a natural fact and you cannot bribe and pay everyone off. There is people who is not corruptible and who is your adversaries. These will stand in your way and those folks will not go away. No matter what you do. Their ideas is bigger than you and your cause.

Mr. President in your moment of “victory” knows that the truth is out. You have made your own 1980 election. Given people all the reasons to call you out and say that your a thief. Mr. President, you might have a office, but there is no difference between you and a chicken thief. The only difference is that the chicken thief stole a chicken, Mr. President, you stole a nation.

Best Regards

Writer of MinBane

Sudan: UN chief calls for protection of civilians as violence spikes in Sudan’s West Darfur (18.01.2021)

The United Nations Secretary-General has voiced deep concerns over escalating violence in West Darfur and called Sudanese authorities to “expend all efforts” to end the fighting and protect civilians.

According to media reports, at least 83 people, including women and children, have been killed and more than 160 wounded in inter-communal clashes this weekend. Several houses are also said to have been destroyed and about 50,000 people displaced.

In a statement issued by his spokesperson on Sunday, Secretary-General António Guterres called on the Sudanese authorities to “expend all efforts to de-escalate the situation”.

He also called on them to “bring an end to the fighting, restore law and order and ensure the protection of civilians, in accordance with the Government’s National Plan for Civilian Protection.”

Mr. Guterres also expressed his condolences to the bereaved families and wished a speedy recovery to the injured.

The violence occurred about two weeks after the African Union-United Nations hybrid peacekeeping mission in the region (UNAMID) ended its operations at the end of 2020. UNAMID is currently drawing down and the process is expected to complete by the end of June 2021.

Millions in need of assistance

The vast Darfur region, roughly the size of Spain, has been plagued by conflict and inter-communal tensions for years. Millions have been displaced by the violence, including many who fled into neighbouring Chad.

According to the UN Office for Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), almost 5 million people there received humanitarian assistance between January and September 2020. Darfur is also one of the poorest regions in Sudan, with poverty rates as high as 67 per cent in Central Darfur. Several health facilities have also been closed due to lack of funds and staff.

Uganda Media Centre: Media Statement on Uganda General Elections January 2021 (18.01.2021)

Zambia: Alliance for Community Action – Press Statement on the Settlement of Illegally Earned Emoluments by Ministers (18.01.2021)

Umbrella for Democratic Change (UDC): Press Release on the Ugandan Elections (17.01.2021)