Somalia: UN and Government of Somalia call for urgent scaling up of emergency response as 2.65 million Somalis are projected to be in acute hunger (17.02.2021)

17 February 2021, Mogadishu – Over 2.6 million people in Somalia are expected to be in extreme food insecurity according to the latest joint technical assessment released by the Food Security and Nutrition Analysis Unit (FSNAU) of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) and the Famine Early Warning Systems Network (FEWS NET). The report cites poor rainfall, flooding and desert locusts among the main contributing factors and warns that the situation could worsen through mid-2021 in the absence of large-scale and sustained humanitarian assistance.

FAO and the Government of Somalia have emphasized the urgency to increase support to sustain ongoing desert locust control and surveillance efforts, and to provide rapid emergency assistance over the coming months.

“Despite relative progress, there has been a new upsurge of desert locusts that has destroyed crops. We will continue working as a combined force to combat the threat of Desert Locusts and mitigate the potential of a more devastating outcome,” said Said Hussein Iid, Somalia’s Minister of Agriculture and Irrigation.

The report highlights that desert locusts will continue to pose a serious risk of damage to both pasture and crops countrywide through mid-2021. In addition, available forecasts indicate an increased likelihood of below-average rainfall during the 2021 Gu (April-June) season across most of the country, which would further exacerbate food and nutrition insecurity for millions of people.

“With the Government’s support, our teams and partners have maintained operations in control and surveillance, while delivering crucial humanitarian assistance and livelihood support during extremely challenging circumstances. Expanding the emergency response is crucial and underway, with a focus on interventions aimed at reducing food consumption gaps, saving lives, and protecting and preserving livelihoods,” said Etienne Peterschmitt, FAO Representative in Somalia.

From July to December 2020, assistance reached more than 1.8 million people per month on average in parts of Somalia. This large-scale humanitarian and government support helped to minimize the magnitude of the crisis and funding is needed urgently to boost efforts to reduce the new food security threats the country is currently facing.

Approximately 1.6 million people face Crisis (IPC Phase 3) or worse outcomes in the presence of planned humanitarian assistance during the first quarter of 2021. An additional 2.5 million people are Stressed (IPC Phase 2), bringing the total number of people experiencing acute food insecurity to 4.1 million. This also includes approximately 840 000 children under the age of five who are likely to be acutely malnourished, including nearly 143 000 who are likely to be severely malnourished. According to FSNAU-FEWS NET, from April to June 2021, food insecurity is expected to deteriorate. largely among poor rural, urban and displaced populations, due to the multitude of threats and crises. Humanitarian assistance must be sustained through mid-2021 to prevent Crisis (IPC Phase 3) or Emergency (IPC Phase 4) outcomes for nearly 2.7 million people.

“Somalia’s long-standing crises are compounded now by the ‘triple threat’ of the COVID-19 pandemic, Desert Locust infestations and climatic shocks,” said the UN Deputy Special Representative of the Secretary-General Adam Abdelmoula, who also serves as the UN Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator for Somalia. “We must continue to work with all humanitarian partners to ensure the most vulnerable Somalis are able to withstand the challenges and build resilience against future shocks. I urge all partners to work together across the humanitariandevelopment and -peacebuilding paths to address the root causes of these crises and build lasting solutions that leave no one behind,” he added.

RDC: Communiqué de Presse du Parti National pour la Nouvelle Énergie du Congo (PNEC) No. 001 – (15.02.2021)

Rwanda: Resolution by The Parliament of Rwanda on the European Parliament Resolution of 11 February 2021 on Rwanda, the case of Paul Rusesabagina (2021/2543(RSP)) – (15.02.2021)

Ethiopia: Oromo Political Prisoners Defence Team – Bekele Gerba detained in Torhayloch Hospital (16.02.2021)

After Mr. Bekele Gerba’s lawyers submitted a petition yesterday, the court gave an order for the 2nd time to allow Mr. Bekele to get a medical treatment from a private clinic of his choice. Attached is the court document that shows the court honored his request to get treatment from a private clinic.
Accordingly, Mr. Bekele was supposed to go to Landmark Hospital today in Addis Ababa. The hospital was waiting for Mr. Bekele for more than 2 hours. However, the prison administration said they were given an instruction from a superior order to take Mr. Bekele Gerba to armed forces hospital called Torhayloch.
On their way to the hospital, Mr. Bekele’s private doctors phones were confiscated.
We are getting a report that the Oromo political prisoners private doctors who accompanied Mr. Bekele Gerba to the hospital have been detained in Torhayloch Hospital.
Mr. Bekele’s life is in great danger!

A Warlord reasons not to kill: General Museveni “weird” tale at Rev. Luwum Commemoration Day

Me I don’t fear anybody, whoever you are, if you are wrong, I will tell you. If you are confident about your position then there is no reason why you should kill people or intimidate them” – President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni (16.02.2021).

Well, we are now in February 2021. The Warlord and General Yoweri Tibuhaburwa Kaguta Museveni spoke yet again at another Commemoration Day for Rev. Janani Luwum. Still, the legacy remaining for the deceased is still being altered by the men in power. Just like the days after his death in 1977. When the state wanted it to look like car-accident, when it was an assassination.

Now in 2021, the President is using the day to try to mask himself as better than Amin. Not a new trick. That trick is as old as this regime. Museveni has always tried to reflect himself in a better light and as “liberator” of the old. However, he now uses all the tricks they did. His regime is ushering the same violence, has the same reputation and kills civilians without any sort of punitive action. The state is abducting, kidnapping, torturing and dumping bodies on a regular. It is not like his record is vastly different from Amin now. He just have had more years to do the damage and get rid of more naysayers and enemies. That is the tragic realities, as massacres of 1980s and as late as November last year is left without any consideration of the lives that was taken. So, it is not like this Presidency has changed a lot. Except for the self-belief of being better than in the past. When in reality. His doing practically the same for his own end.

Here is some quotes from today:

I am proud that our generation avenged the death of these innocent people, there was no need for Amin to kill the Archbishop, why kill a person because of criticizing you? That means you’re insecure, when you criticize me, I also criticize you” (Museveni, 16.02.2021).

There was no reason for Idi Amin to kill Bishop Luwum, even if he was criticizing him. He could have just ignored him but Idi Amin was also illiterate and yet he was managing state infrastructure” (Museveni, 16.02.2021).

Archbishop Janani did not die in vain, he took the martyrdom road. Amin was shallow, what would killing a person benefit you? That shows you are a coward and lazy, unless it is a war but for someone who is unarmed, use counter logic” (Museveni, 16.02.2021).

It is rich for someone who uses the “Panda Gari’s”, a man who promised to not have a government, which take away lives and kills without knowledge about it. It is really rich by someone who knows perfectly well the rights things to do, but does the opposite in power. A man who has gone to war in several of nations.

A man who has burned villages, towns and taken lives to gain power. There are only estimates about how many lost their lives in the Luweero Triangle, but some estimate about 250,000. A man who burned Northern Uganda for years just to prove a point. A man who continued his warfare in Rwanda, Democratic Republic of Congo and South Sudan. A man who has send soldiers to Central African Republic, Equatorial Guinea and Somalia. This man knows about killing people and does it deliberately for his own ends. It is not like Museveni doesn’t know the price of winning wars and destroying his enemies. He knows that perfectly well and has enjoyed the spoils of war.

This man has violated people’s rights to assemble, gather and be democratic active. A man who has used his power to constrain the public by law and by arms. There has always been an excuse and “reason” to do so. However, it has by all means, benefited him and his cause.

So, for Museveni to say these things today. Is like the man thinking his living in a vacuum. Where people don’t know what his done and know how he got there. A man who wouldn’t have power, if it wasn’t for 27 guns, foreign support and ability to cunningly take power away from other men. That is what he did and he has held this capacity ever since. A man who used his position to trick it into a better one. That is what he has done ever since he joined UNLA in Tanzania. After joining the Military Commission in 1979 and going to the Bush-War. This man has always found a way and method to get ahead. Even using negotiations and deals to buy “peace”, but later bury the ones he made agreements with. That is the sort of man Museveni is.

One day, maybe not as a mortal. Maybe one day, he will answer for all them skulls. Maybe one day he will answer for all the fallen, the deceased and the ones who suffered as a result of his greed for power. One day, the God Almighty will keep him to account and let him answer for it in eternity. That is all up to him. As it seems, there will be no answer for his deeds in the Courts of Men. That is why we got to hope he will answer in the Courts of the Creator and the Devine Power who also resides on planet. To give credit, where credit is due. So, that there can be served justice and the lives can be accounted for.

As at the end of the day. Museveni is just a man of flesh and blood. When his soul is bare-naked and he has no office. God will see him for who he is and give his verdict. To give justice to all the other souls who was taken, because it was the price for the life liven by Yoweri.

He call murderers cowards, what is he then? A mass-murderer and warlord. He must be one of the biggest cowards walking on planet earth. That is if his words has any value. Peace.

Sudan: Conflict – Flash Update #9 West Darfur As of 16 February 2021 (16.02.2021)

Cameroun: Ministere de la Defense – Communuique de Presse (15.02.2021)

Rwanda: The curious case of Yvonne

Rwanda needs to be led by someone who feels love for Rwandans in them, who has the patriotic spirit in them, who can fight for their country if necessary. Who can sacrifice their life for Rwandans if need be, who does not just care for themselves” Yvonne Iryamugwiza Idamange (31.01.2021).

From Kigali there isn’t a bunch of people coming out with their rebuke of the regime. The ones who does usually ends up in legal trouble. For Yvonne Iryamugwiza Idamange dropped a Youtube Video on the 31st January 2021. Where she dared to address the government and its action. Now today, the Rwandan Police Force addressed the arrest of Yvonne. If the Police haven’t dropped a Press Release. This arrest wouldn’t have caught my eye. That is why I looked into it and I understand why she is behind bars.

She is not behind bars because she did something directly illegal. Maybe her words and her video sparked fury at Office of the President or anyone in-charge. Nevertheless, she just spoke her mind and the government couldn’t handle it. That is why she is charged with inciting public disorder. When someone get these charges the words being said should be very powerful.

What she said on the 31st January have been translated and here is a passage. That maybe was to close to home for the regime:

It’s true that I agree with the fact of washing our hands and respecting the social distancing measures and not scattering everywhere, but however not forgetting the life of Rwandans. If the Cabinet Council decides that Rwandans should stay home ignoring that there are Rwandans who do not have what to eat, ignoring that ¾ of Rwandans get what to eat because they have gone out to work, that citizen you are taking care of facing coronavirus will die of hunger. What is the importance of that? You say that you assist us, you assist citizens when you urge them to stay home, what do you give them? The rotten bitter flour? Let me tell you that they cannot even make bread from that flour. Instead, they boil porridge from it because it has been impossible for them to eat bread from it. Do you really think that you are assisting that citizen or it’s the punishment?” (David Himbara – ‘Rwandan Women Will Liberate Rwanda – The Case of Idamange Iryamugwiza Yvonne’ 12.02.2021).

Because Yvonne dared to address the poverty and the regulations in concern to the pandemic. Yes, there is important with regulations and safeguard the public. Also, ensure they can live through it. She is basing it on the fact of the gig-economy and hustling to surviving. If you are living hand-to-mouth… then the state needs to provide extra of the basics when they are closing everything down. Something the government haven’t and that is why it’s hurt the pride of the regime.

This passage here was maybe even more direct and damaged someone’s calm:

Those ordinary people, when they go out, are asked where they go, but you, no one asks you where you’re going. That is why you underestimate the problems of Rwandans. Those are words frustrating Rwandans, they are not words of a leader standing for Rwandans, you utter it while there are many who are hungry and have no way out. Therefore, for this issue of urging Rwandans to stay home, I as a Rwandan who dares to speak up, because I know there are so many who wish to say something but are afraid, I as a Rwandan who has overcome fear, I request the Rwandan Government to open doors for us so that we go out and work, and subsequently we care for ourselves and not depend on those minor quantities you are giving us, which are received but some and others are not reached” (David Himbara – ‘Rwandan Women Will Liberate Rwanda – The Case of Idamange Iryamugwiza Yvonne’ 12.02.2021).

Here she shows the dire reality of the fear of questioning the power and the regime itself. She wouldn’t have said this, if there wasn’t any truth to it. Yvonne dared to say these things and that is why she is behind bars. It all makes sense. Just by these passages alone.

FDU-Inkingi wrote a statement on the 8th February 2021 about her. It stated: “Instead of responding to the grievances exposed by MSIDAMANGE, the authorities remain silent and react by discreetly orchestrating a smear campaign against her through online newspapers close to the government such as Igihe.com and Rushyashya.com, as well as on social networks (Twitter, Facebook, YouTube etc.).At the same time, the National Commission for the Fight against Genocide (CNLG), the state body fighting against genocide, published on 5/02/2021 a press release intended to intimidate her for exercising her freedom of expression,under the pretext that her criticism of government policies can be interpreted as propagating genocide ideology” (FDU-INKINGI – ‘THE AUTHORITIES IN RWANDA MUST OPENLY ASSUME THEIR RESPONSIBILITY TO TAKE CARE OF EVERYONE AND STOP PLAYING HIDE AND SEEK THAT EXERCERBATESCONFLICT AND INJUSTICE’ 08.02.2021).

It really says it all and the wordings of her speech is a reason in itself. That is why a 100,000 views was seen of the video within a few days. She has sparked not only interest, but she has sent red flags to the leadership. She dared to question them and do it in public. Yvonne has shown her courage and that she’s fearless. That is why she is now detained and charged.

However, her speech is only validated by it. As the state cannot be criticised and be questioned by the citizens. Because, if they do … then they are ending in the slammer. So much for a regime and a President getting 98,66% of the votes in the recent election. Peace.

Burma: Assistance Association for Political Prisoners (AAPP) – Daily Briefing in Relation to the Military Coup (15.02.2021)

Opinion: OO would have said that Jesus didn’t die, because he rose from the grave on the third day

Today, Government Spokesperson Ofwono Opondo have written yet another piece. This time published in New Vision. The article or think piece is called: “OPINION: Alleged kidnaps, torture and disappearances must be stamped out”. It was published on the 15th February 2021. What he says is despicable and show no regard to all the citizens taken with no accountability or justice.

The likes of OO is the ones who will defend death, murder and extra judicial killings by attacking the ones who are getting this treatment. OO rather shield his emperor and the regime itself. Than understanding the pleas, the tears and the suffering of others. It is more important to look Noble, grand and supreme. He rather want the world to be praising his master and his vanity. Because that is what matters to him. This is why he writes pieces like these.

I will take pieces of it and then discuss it. Just like I have done before. Because, someone has to debunk and dissecting his text, yet again.

He starts with: “Reports of alleged kidnaps, torture, illegal detentions and disappearances are mostly false alarms, but they are nevertheless embarrassment to the well-established track record of the National Resistance Movement (NRM) government and must be stamped out immediately. Every person arrested by security agencies must be accounted for in accordance with established procedures and laws of Uganda, offenders punished. Even cases of false alarm and mischief by people who go underground only to surface later must be dealt with” (OO, 15.02.2021).

OO writes like the world and the people doesn’t get the memo. He wants the stories to cease and silent the public. Just because it destroys a “perfect” track-record of the NRM. Which isn’t grand in the first place. If he government is so genuine and cares about “rule of law”. Why does the NRM keep up having ungazetted “safe-houses”? Why does the state have to pay damages and repair hurt for victims illegally arrested, tortured in the courts?

Not like that is a new feature of the state. It is the mere scale and the ability of the National Unity Platform to spread message about the activity. As the state violence, injustice and impunity gets recorded and spread on the new social media platforms. It is not like the Uganda Police Force or any other security agencies haven’t done this in the past. They have and that is why Nalufenya and other places have a reputation, which resembles the days of Argentina House. That says a lot, but OO would never state that. He wants people to believe the NRM believes and works for “rule of law”. When they have since the inception been brutal to its dissidents and done what they could to control the population by force.

He continues: “It is also necessary to state that virulent groups and gullible media are being used to portray the Government as run by rogues who have lost moral, democratic and legal campus to deserve any legitimacy. To them, admitting President Yoweri Museveni’s strength undercuts their false foul cries to persuade foreign governments to sanction Uganda on unverified human rights violations. In a choreographed scheme, they have chosen words carefully to land powerful punches on NRM and President’s core credentials, respect to human life, dignity, democracy, and the rule of law.” (OO, 15.02.2021).

If the government and the state was so legitimately and adherent to “rule of law”. There wouldn’t be the need to charge civilians in Military Courts. There wouldn’t be the need for “drones” and for arbitrary arrests, kidnaps and torture of civilians. However, that is what the state does.

He also wants the President Museveni to be praised and getting his glory. Just as its the victims fault and their use of minds to explain the ill fortune. That they can spread the message about the human rights violation. The government spokesperson doesn’t want to take that into consideration the efforts of state and their ills. He just want the “good” but not take account for the “bad”.

The spokesperson calls it a coordinated effort and such. However, he speaks of respecting human life and democracy, but doesn’t want anyone to speak out of the violations of both. People are just supposed to be loyal crony like himself. The core credentials is a lie, because his achievements have been by the gun and not by the mercy of the people. Therefore, he cannot play this one out and believe his own words.

OO continues: “They continue to make the most horrendous allegations of what they christened ‘kidnaps’ rather than arrests. They have coined ‘forced disappearances of persons’ and not detention of violent criminal suspects accused of plotting heinous crimes of subversion, treason and spreading political terror to undermine civil governance” (OO, 15.02.2021).

This man rather make a mockery and attempt to justify arrests without any proper procedure. No warrants, no charges and no sentencing. That is cool, because the opposition cries ‘foul’ which is wrong. Since in his eyes they should just be silent and nod their heads to regime. These folks are not supposed to speak or even dare speak out of the ills of society. No, they are supposed to go silent to their graves and serve like he does.

Again, a government official is calling civilians criminal for political affiliation. Calling them terrorists for taking a stance and being part of political association. That shows how little the state care for “rule of law”. It is horrific to call out the ills, but they are at the same moment called “terrorist”. That is how this government is bargaining with its dissidents. This shows what sort of atrocities that is at stake.

He continues: In all these insidious schemes, NUP and their surrogates were bold enough to lay their plots in public view through intimidation, harassment, and physical assault of innocent citizens. Their initial plan was to intimidate voters not to turn out in large numbers on polling day so that NUP hooligans do whatever they wanted with balloting, counting, tallying and eventual results declaration, which the security forces effectively foiled. The current anger and frustration for being nipped in the bud has driven them to extreme desperation to the point they are willing to use vagabonds and criminals in adventurous ways to disrupt public order in the false belief they can win unchallenged. People with criminal intent must be told in clear terms that they will be tackled aggressively. NUP continues to hold a hostile posture in the public spaces, gullible mainstream media and social media cesspool to spread false and fake news” (OO, 15.02.2021).

Here we see again. The spokesperson is saying people are deliberately getting themselves into trouble and is doing it with criminal intent. It isn’t wrong of the state to do this dubious and violate their freedom, liberty and justice. The injustice and use of force to take away their freedom. It is the NUP’s fault and the victims are to blame. That is so typical… as the state is not to blame for its activity and its usage of weapons towards the unarmed.

Then he toys around with the sentiment and time, as people are just supposed to accept this vicious ways. The President and Security Organizations wicked ways and use of state apparatus to silence the opposition. While he calls them criminal and with that justifies the injustice. He calls the public gullible and mocks them for believing in the leaders. That is directly showing his disdain for the general public. That’s because the NRM doesn’t need them, but they need the armed force to continue to rule.

He ends with these words: “By donning the so-called bullet-proof vest whose efficacy was not proven, Kyagulanyi skillfully accomplished dark drama, like Dr Kizza Besigye and his infamous handcuffs. Having failed in an election they had billed as the waterloo for President Museveni, NUP and its insidious foreign backers including some diplomatic missions here, continue to frame an absurd narrative that Uganda is a criminal state spinning out of control” (OO, 15.02.2021).

What is really striking is saying that Bobi Wine and Besigye is actors with a political play. While not stating the reason for their actions. Not like the cars of these politicians has been attacked. That both have been close to assassinations. Not like the armed forces and police has used violent means on the campaign trail. No, the opposition have been able to travel across the Republic without any issues. No, they have not been close to live-bullets, ambushed, tear-gassed or even slept on the road-side, as the hotels was not open for them.

Well, the government spokesperson calls that democracy and “fair game” I suppose.

If Ofwono Opondo was the spokesperson in biblical time. He would have attacked the crucifixion of Jesus Christ. OO would have deemed him criminal and called him a “terrorist”. His disciples would have been a gang of crooks and their dogma was to cause “unrest”. OO would have said the stories of Jesus resurrecting and rising up from the dead as a “lie”. The spokesperson would have dismissed all believers and called them out for blasphemy. OO would have said that Jesus couldn’t have died on the cross, if he rose from the dead on the third day. That is the sort of man OO is.

He will not say it himself. Because that is tarnishing his life work and dedication to the throne. His the loyal subject and will defend anything for Museveni. All of his life has been in his hands and he will write it in blood if he has too. That is who he is and that is why we got to call him out for it and not accept his lies. Peace.