Somalia: AMISOM – Interoffice Memorandum – Subject: In-Fighting in Mogadishu (19.02.2021)

Togo: Coordination Internationale Dynamique Monseigneur Kpodzro (CIDMK) – Le Droit International Conforte le Retablissement de la Verite des Urnes (18.02.2021)

Burkina Faso: Direction Generale de la Police Nationale – Communique (19.02.2021)

Opinion: Gen. Museveni is condescending towards the EU Envoys

We don’t see you as enemies, remove all the diversions and concentrate on the shared goals and help one another for the prosperity of our people” (…) “By involving yourselves in matters that you don’t understand, even if you do understand, you should not get involved because this kind of misconduct can lead to many serious consequences and suffering of the people like it happened in some African countries” – President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni to the European Union Envoy on Thursday at Entebbe State House 18th February 2021.

Well, General Museveni, the Self-Styled President for Life and junta leader showed his true self. We know he still believes his the only man with a vision. The President still believes he understands everything and got the right hunch. This man believes his self-righteous and has the God given rights to rule supreme indefinitely. That is apparent by his actions and how he runs his state.

The General is the Personification of the state. It is his final orders that is fatal for people. It is his decisions to address or fix bottlenecks. However, Museveni misses one key aspect now. He cannot control information or reports across borders. The National Resistance Movement (NRM) cannot decide what sort of intel or reporting that comes elsewhere. They are getting stories, documents and proofs of actions made. Which in the past would have been kept confidential. That is why his speaking this way. Because, he still thinks he can control the narrative and get the envelope.

The General should know better, but the “Panda Gari’s” was something you was supposed to get rid off. However, you have re-issued them for the opposition and the National Unity Platform (NUP). It is not like the outside world is seeing your tyranny and suffering you putting on people. Just so you can rule into a 4 decade. Because, that is all that matters… and everything else is fair game. People are dying and extra judicial killings is now common. That is tragic, but the abductions, keeping people incommunicado and torturing them. That is why EU is sanctioning you and your regime.

Museveni wants to be allowed to be a War-Lord … and be praised for being so. He wants honour, statutes and be known liberator. Nevertheless, the people aren’t free just because the elite is eating and his closest associates are getting wealthy on crippling the state. Kudos to the pain and suffering you are giving the general public, dissidents and lack of government delivery to its citizens.

He wants to be honoured and getting kisses of the ring, which his used to by the 169 Presidential Advisors and his huge cabinet. All of the NRM Party is a machine built around him. Just like he has done with the state. That is why his letters are vital and the way things moves. Not to mention the NRM Caucuses at Entebbe State House. Where the final decisions are made in co-operation with NRM Central Executive Committee (NRM CEC). Its all run by him… and that is why he doesn’t want get questioned or even resolutions against him. That is not how you supposed to operate, because nobody else does. He is used to being worshipped, the uncrowned monarch and demi-god, which deserves to hailed in all of his glory. A man who needs to preserved as a living legend and a treasure to humanity. The EU Envoys needs to know this, because that is the case.

That is why his really showing his colours when he states things like this. He wants to rule indefinitely without any accountability or transparency. The General wants to eat their money and not be held accountable for it. Because, he see it as his money and not for the development, agencies or whatnot it was supposed to go too. No, it is his funds and he knows how to spend it. However, he didn’t raise it or are entitled to it. Still, he will feel hurt if they suddenly doesn’t drop him grants or aid in his favour. Since, he knows the issues and they don’t, but he does need their money. That is how I am understanding it.

The coins can always come… Museveni will always need a helicopter, SUV, ranch or a fancy plane. The old man always needs some more expensive gadgets and tools to keep himself in shape. That is why he needs the EU Envoy to continue to facilitate his government deficits… but they are not supposed to involved in the business in general. They are supposed to sign checks and shut-up. They don’t understand it anyway, but their money is all good. That is the moral of this story.

General Museveni to the rescue. He can spend your money, but don’t you dare insult his intelligence by questioning his uses of violence, human rights violations or oppressive behaviour to continue to stay in power. The EU is supposed to look the other way and just give him the shillings. So he can use the tear-gas, guns and “safe-houses” to silence his critics. Because, what do they know? Nothing right? Peace.

Mogadishu on fire: Farmaajo is aiming at his “enemies”

The “expired” and “incumbent President Mohamed Abdullahi Mohamed aka “Farmaajo”. His term has already ended and there was mentions of talks and conference to handle the stalemate on the procedures of the up-coming elections. Now, his not accepted and legitimized by the Lower House and the Council of Presidential Candidates Union’ (CPC). Therefore, after the ceasing of his term. There was questions how things would be.

However, now we are seeing how hostile things are. There is all guns-out and Farmaajo have been close to assassinate several Presidential Candidates and two former Presidents. That is unprecedented. That he does this and usher in the violence. It is not a sign of strength. This is a sign of weakness, as he got no real popularity or prospects of a second term. As he has to ambush and block everyone else from getting elected. That is how it looks from the outside.

A man who has to grab the guns, block demonstrations and stop people from dissenting. When you have not reached or been able to fix an election. Then you know you are the losing one. All of the reports from Mogadishu this Friday is worrying. There is no light in the end of the tunnel here. Only bloodshed and macho-ism with pulling guns and intimidate.

Somalia’s government blocks main roads in Mogadishu. Special training forces were deployed all approaches to Daljirka Momentum where anti-government protests were planned to happen today” (Mowliid Haji Abdi, 19.02.2021).

Somali army reportedly attacked Maida Hotel, where former presidents Sharif Sheikh Ahmed and Hassan Sheikh Mohamud were staying. While the army have also attacked a procession on Airport road done by former Prime Minister Hassan Ali Kheire, Abdirahman Abdishakur and Abdikarim Guled.

Ambulance sirens could be heard and plumes of smoke rose from the area the gunfire near Mogadishu airport, which had been continuing for at least 30 minutes” (Garowe Media, 19.02.2021).

Foreign diplomats located in Mogadishu airport are evacuating to Nairobi as the country descends into new civilstrife. Mortars landed on the airport during heavy clashes” (SomaliaNews, 19.02.2021).

UN Statement on the current

The UN in Somalia is deeply concerned by armed clashes in #Mogadishu overnight and on Friday morning, calls for calm and restraint by all parties involved, and urges that open lines of communication be maintained to help reduce tensions. The UN in Somalia notes that the clashes in Mogadishu underscore the urgent need for Federal Government and Federal Member State leaders to come together to reach political agreement on the implementation of the 17 September electoral model” (UNSOM, 19.02.2021).

All of this here is tragic. It is a travesty. This is how Farmaajo will go out. He will not go out as a noble man, but he used forces and violent tactics to change the Speaker of the Lower House too. This man used all his means to get his people in office across the Republic. So, it is not shocking that he goes to this now. That he doesn’t get his way in the up-coming elections or getting his stipulations for total control ahead of the polls. Because, it seems like he fairs his losing and that’s why rather wants things in the limbo. Hope people give way to his violence…

This is no good. It is just worrying and we can wonder where this is taking the Republic. As the leadership are willing to do this and support it. While the stalemate continues and Famaajo doesn’t back down. Something got to give, but at this point Famaajo is so invested. That his willing to let bullets fly at his enemies. We are just lucky that none of them is deceased by the live-bullets. That shouldn’t be a thing… but it is … because it is clearly the game that Villa Somalia is playing with the rest of the Nation. Peace.

DRC: UNICEF – Militia violence threatens 3 million displaced children in Democratic Republic of Congo (19.02.2021)

Global indifference putting a generation of children at risk

KINSHASA/DAKAR/GENEVA/NEW YORK, 19 February 2021: The lives and futures of more than 3 million displaced children are at risk in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) while the world is looking the other way, a report released by the UN children’s agency, UNICEF, said today.

In the east of the country, a succession of brutal attacks by fighters using machetes and heavy weapons have forced whole communities to flee with only the barest of possessions. Entire families — including children – have been hacked to death. Health centres and schools have been ransacked, and whole villages set ablaze.

The UNICEF report* calls for an end to the conflict which has fuelled one of the world’s worst humanitarian crises. UN figures show that there are currently 5.2 million displaced people in the DRC, more than in any country except Syria. Fifty per cent have been displaced in the last twelve months.

Displaced families live in crowded settlements that lack safe water, health care and other basic services. Others are accommodated by impoverished local communities. In the most violence-afflicted provinces of Ituri, North Kivu, South Kivu and Tanganyika, more than 8 million people are acutely food insecure.

“Displaced children know nothing but fear, poverty, and violence. Generation after generation can think only of survival,” said Edouard Beigbeder, UNICEF Representative for the DRC. “Yet the world seems increasingly indifferent to their fate. We need the resources to continue helping these children have a better future.”

The report recounts the testimony of children who have been recruited as militia fighters, subjected to sexual assault, and suffered other grave violations of their rights. Such violations registered a 16 per cent increase in the first six months of 2020 compared to the previous year.

Delivering relief assistance to populations who have been displaced is complex, and often hampered by insecurity and a weak transport infrastructure.

A rapid response programme directed by UNICEF with national partner NGOs offers a temporary solution, providing tarpaulins, cooking utensils, jerrycans and other essentials to nearly 500,000 people in 2020.

“These emergency distributions help deal with the immediate shock of being displaced, but they are also part of an integrated response that looks to address a family’s broader needs in health, nutrition, protection, WASH or education,” said Typhaine Gendron, UNICEF Chief of Emergency in DRC.

Security is a major concern for workers from UNICEF and their local and international partners.

UNICEF says that while the situation remains highly volatile, the Congolese army is trying to curb the power of the militia groups and re-assert the authority of the state. It says that building on these tenuous signs of progress must be the priority, and the international community has a crucial part to play.

However, solidarity with the DRC has shown signs of fraying. UNICEF’s 2021 humanitarian appeal for $384.4 mn is currently only 11 per cent funded.

“Without sustained humanitarian intervention, thousands of children will die from malnutrition or disease, and displaced populations will not receive the basic lifesaving services they depend on,” said Beigbeder.

#

Notes for editors: *Fear and Flight: An Uprooted Generation of Children at Risk in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Multimedia materials are available for download here.

Ethiopia: Oromo Studies Association – OSA Solidarity with Demands of Political Prisoners on Hunger Strike in Ethiopia (18.02.2021)

The Oromo Studies Association (OSA) offers this urgent message to Oromo political prisoners detained unjustly in Ethiopia. You have resorted to put your lives on the line through a hunger strike to make your voices (and all Oromo voices including ours) heard inside the country and in the public arena. Your voices were now silenced at a critical time. Yet today you are heard.

You are our fellow OSA members, our former President, 2015 Keynote Speaker and 2016 and 2018 conference presenters together with 22 fellow prisoners who are also victims of erasure. We hear you loud and clear. We are all trying to ensure that the world hears you loud and clear. We wholeheartedly support your just demand that the Ethiopian government release you, putting an end to the lethal delaying tactics of “due process” and the creation of bogus charges. Your actions have waked the world to the stakes of using state power to eliminate the participation of millions in the political process.

OSA members share your strong commitment to the movement to bring democracy to Ethiopia. We share your belief that fundamental human rights are the building blocks of democratic governance systems and that no just society can be built on any other foundation. We are committed to do everything in our power to protect these rights in deed as well as in word.

We wholeheartedly join with you in pursuing each of the demands you have identified.

Here is our appeal to you now, as you are in the third and possibly deadly week of this hunger strike – please know that we struggle with you, that we feel the enormous frustration over the injustice, outrage at the disenfranchisement and fury at being erased by a government brought to power through our sacrifices. We understand that you are willing and committed to die to bring resolution of these staggering obstacles. In the face of this we urge you to acknowledge that the enormous changes we all demand together will require longer than your life span on this trajectory.

We ask you to pause the hunger strike and take sustenance while we all continue to work full speed ahead to achieve the objectives of the strike.

Your good health and well-being are public assets to the Oromo people and also for all other marginalized peoples in Ethiopian whose participation in the political process is obstructed. We need to fight this battle together with urgency. We believe that your experience is irreplaceable as is your dedication to the Oromo struggle. All of you provide a moral uplift for the Oromo struggle. We plead with you to suspend this action while we appeal to the Government of Ethiopia with the assistance of the United States, the EU, the UN, the AU, and private groups to ensure that these demands can be met in full.

Oromo Studies Association (OSA)

February 18, 2021

Background:

Demands of Oromo Political Prisoners on Hunger Strike 

February 12, Day 16 of Hunger Strike at Kaliti Federal Prison

__ 

Jawar Mohammed, Bekele Gerba, Hamza Borana and other Oromo political prisoners are on their 16th day of a hunger strike in Kaliti Federal Prison. They are all in critical condition. Five of the strikers are hospitalized, and all of them have developed kidney problems.  

The prisoners asserted that they started this hunger strike because of a worsening political condition and the derailed transition to democracy. 

The Oromo political prisoners put their demands as follow: 

1. Release All Oromo Political Prisoners. 

Jails and prisons are full of Oromos, more than any other group in the country. Currently there are more than 50,000 Oromo political prisoners in Ethiopia. In Kaliti alone there are more than 5,000 Oromo political prisoners, constituting 90% of the nation’s entire prisoners. 

There are also more than 30 Oromo political prisoners in Ethiopia who returned from different parts of the world following the 2018 promised transition to democracy. Among the returnees are high ranking officials of the OLF & OFC, including the most influential young political figure from the U.S, Jawar Mohammed. 

Therefore, release all prisoners of conscience languishing in Ethiopian jails and prisons, of which the overwhelming majority are Oromo political prisoners. 

2. Allow Oromo political party offices to be opened and to operate fully. 

More than 103 offices of the Oromo Liberation Front (OLF) across the country, including the HQ in Finfinne, have been closed by the government. More than 90 Oromo Federalist Congress (OFC) offices across Oromia are also now closed by the government. 

The ruling party must stop the alienation and systematic disenfranchisement of the Oromo Nation from political participation in the country. Government must allow Oromo media TV station offices that were closed and their licenses suspended to be reinstated and to resume operations. We also demand that they organize an all-inclusive national dialogue before the national election. 

The government must open up and widen the political space in order to bring the derailed transition back on track, so that all who have a vision for the betterment of Ethiopia could participate in a free and fair election. 

Hence, the hunger strikers demand is to open and allow opposition political parties offices to operate. Stop the alienation, systematic disenfranchisement and to open up the political space equally for all. 

3. End Mistreatment of Families of Political Prisoners. 

Government security forces must end mistreatment of political prisoners while they visit their loved ones at Kaliti Prison and elsewhere. End any inhumane treatment of prisoners under custody or under investigation.

Nigeria: Indigenous People of Biafra – They Have finally Brought the War Upon the Biafran People (18.02.2021)

Ethiopia: Ministry of Foreign Affairs – Press Statement on Ethiopia-Sudan Border (18.02.2021)

Opinion: Afwerki wants to re-write the planned invasion of Tigray

This month the Eritrean President Isias Afwerki had an interview on State-Owned Eri-TV on the 7th February 2021. The broadcast is intended to be a piece to “whitewash” and be “good reasons” for the involvement of Eritrea in the Tigray conflict. As one of the allies of Addis Ababa after the leadership of Mekelle. That is clear that Asmara and Addis had co-operate in time and held meetings to prepare for the warfare in the region. This has been reported on as well.

Afwerki is doing the same bidding as Prime Minister Ahmed Ali Abiy. Who has used same sort of story to validate the attacks. While it has later been proven that the Ethiopian troops suddenly moved across to Eritrean bases. There was also proven reporting from Addis Standard in January 2021 that Amhara regional government and actors was prepared ahead of war. Not like they we’re suddenly ambushed and hadn’t stationed troops ahead of the early November attack by Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF). Who they are making as the devils here.

Yes, to set the record straight. TPLF have been the tormentor of old, they have been vicious, vindictive and destructive. The TPLF as a government has atrocities and blood on their hands. I been a vocal critic of how they operated as a key part of the Ethiopian Democratic People’s Revolutionary Front (EDPRF) coalition government. However, that does not stop me from attacking the injustice and lies of the present day government (Prosperity Party) and its Eritrean allies. Wrong is wrong, no matter who does it. That is how I see the world. So, don’t think I am in favour of TPLF, but I call out lies when I see them.

President Isias Afwerki highlights:

That President Isaias had expressly asked Debretzion, Acting President of the Tigray Region – in the brief meeting in Omhager, why the TPLF was making huge preparations for a senseless war; Against this backdrop, no body imagined that the TPLF would resort to such unprecedented and reckless move to attack the Northern Command of the Ethiopian Defense Forces (EDF) in early November. This was inexplicable and mind boggling but borne out of miscalculation as is often the case with most wars. TPLF plan was to neutralize the 32,000 Contingent – one-third of which were affiliated with the TPLF and topple the Federal Government. Part of this plan was subsequent invasion of Eritrea” (Shabait – ‘Highlights of Interview with President Isaias Afwerki’ 18.02.2021).

We are seeing his playing the same game as the Prosperity Party and PM Abiy have said in the past. They are holding on to the same narrative before the invasion and direct attacks in Tigray. Tigray was already ostracises and been shunned by the Federal Government in the months ahead. They had even called the September election 2020 “unconstitutional”. While the state “suspended” theirs and had started their unconstitutional 6th Year in the House of Federation (HoF). So, it is always rich of them say this.

However, there are more evidence that Afwerki and Abiy is lying about how it started. As these stories doesn’t connect with reporting. Both what Mesfin wrote in December 2020 and what Addis Standard stated in January 2021. That is why I taken passages from there to prove my points.

Eritrean Involvement in Tigray:

Abiy did not disclose to the Ethiopian public and international community that even more federal troops were airlifted into Eritrea following the outbreak of conflict on November 4. In the 48 hours before TPLF’s bombing of Asmara on November 14, local sources counted close to 30 military airplanes flying in thousands of soldiers from Ethiopia. Subsequent flights transported more soldiers into the Eritrean seaports of Massawa and Asseb. The Prime Minister also hid from the world the Eritrean military’s direct involvement in combat along the entire border that Eritrea shares with Tigray regional state as well as inside Tigray. The following information is pieced together from three different sources: first, reliable sources inside the Eritrean Ministry of Defense; second, Eritrean opposition intelligence sources in Sudan and Ethiopia; and finally, anecdotal pieces communicated from friends and relatives, including some academic researchers” (Mesfin Hagos – ‘Eritrea’s Role in Ethiopia’s Conflict and the Fate of Eritrean Refugees in Ethiopia’ 04.12.2020, World Peace Foundation:

Commissioner Abere Adamu said:

Because it is history let me tell you what happened during this time. At the time, Amhara region police and Temesgen [Tiruneh] who was the president of the Amhara Region, already knew that this thing was going to happen, especially TPLF’s preparation, as they were next door to us. Therefore we have already done our homework, and accordingly deployment of forces had taken place in our borders from east to west. The war started that night after we have already completed our preparations” (Addis Standard, 04.01.2021)

As Adamu continues:

““What we have talked about was, because it is now in the past, let me make it clear for you today: what we discussed was that we had communication with those from within; with whom we had close relations, especially with those members of the Mechanized Forces stationed near Humera; we had relations with them and we have already studied how to retrieve the force to come to us if something happened. So when I and Assistant commissioner Biset say “according to what we discussed” we understand what we were saying. So he told me “things are going as we discussed.” What it meant was to make members of the steel-clad mechanized Special Forces to come to us under the protection of our Special Forces, and after they reached us, to commander them to turn back to face the enemy. So he asked me “they are coming, what do I do with them?” so I told him to divert them back face the enemy; he did it. The armored mechanized members that we provided protection and retrieved from there provided protection for our forces and the foot soldiers marched in. You all know what happened next. This is how the war started; this was the day” (Addis Standard, 04.01.2021).

For me as I see it. The reporting on the flights across with troops from Ethiopia into Eritrea tell me it was preplanned ahead of time. You cannot move troops in the blink of an eye and especially not 30 planes in-coordination. Also, the mechanized brigades and soldiers-on-foot in Amhara region as well. Both of these manoeuvrers proves there was underlying intent. Either the TPLF would attack the Northern Command or not. The Ethiopian National Defence Force (ENDF), Amhara Para-Military (Fano) and Eritrean National Army (ENA) was all prepared ahead of time.

Therefore, the blame-game of TPLF is just a fitting one. Because, to make the previous tenants of power the villains is easy. As they have done so much and caused so much horrific harm in the past. That they can easily be transformed to devious people now too. Even, when the most cunning ones are the one currently in power. That is the reality of it all and Afwerki trying to sell that story. Which the Prosperity Party and Addis has been selling for months. Since that fits them in a glove and gives them a reason. Though, when you look into it. It isn’t that truthful and its a lie. A lie they deserved to be called out for. Especially, when there is such proof of their ways. Peace.

Reference:

Addis Standard – ‘NEWS ANALYSIS: AMHARA REGION POLICE CHIEF REVEALS HOW REGION’S POLICE FORCE GUIDED FEDERAL STEEL-CLAD MECHANIZED FORCES TO JOIN “WAR” IN TIGRAY’ 04.01.2021 link: https://addisstandard.com/news-analysis-amhara-region-police-chief-reveals-how-regions-police-force-guided-federal-steel-clad-mechanized-forces-to-join-war-in-tigray/