Opinion: Abiy is in a sea of trouble

It is just like there is no end to the troubles of Prime Minister Ahmed Ali Abiy. In the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia there is no peaceful corner. Where-ever you go, there is someone scheming to create instability. There is no peace and no mercy. Just a bunch of crisis upon crisis, and it never ends.

The Prime Minister have had his troubles in Oromia. Where he has arrested the Oromo Leadership. The Opposition leaders are starving and in critical condition in the prisons. As they are still awaiting trails after months of delay and waiting. The courts are just keeping them hostage as Political Prisoners with no end. The state is killing activists in the region and arresting them too. The state is also using all means to stop demonstrations and use force against them. That is something that has been done deliberately through the reign of Abiy. It just escalated when the Hachalu Hundessa was assassinated and the true colours of the state came to play. Since Abiy took power there been over 1800 fatalities done by the government on his watch. These are the remains and the deaths, which can all be attributed to his reign and their demise was in his hands as the head of state.

Just like there where fake-coups in Amhara. Where suddenly high ranking officials was taken out. In such a manner, that the Prime Minister could install his leadership and his men in power there. To ensure smooth sailing and have co-operative leadership there.

In the meantime there been conflict and usage of fatal force in Ogaden Region. The Somali region of the Ethiopia. Where the authorities have brutally gone after the opposition party Ogaden National Liberation Front (ONLF). Where the party is now struggling to convene and be able to select candidates ahead of the elections. As the central government of the state is going after it and stopping them from holding meetings. Even arresting high ranking officials who is working on the matter. Just like in Oromia, the state wants to control the candidates of the Ogaden.

If you would think this was to bad. No there is inter-communal skirmishes between the Ogaden and Afar region too. There is so much blood between the tribes. They are fighting between them and the state cannot settle it. They are letting these force fight between them and not stopping the bloodshed. It is just easing and seeing the destruction coming to pass.

Benishangul-Gumuz region have also been a region who been hard hit by Amhara militia and the army. Where several of massacres and escalating killings sprees been going-on. It is like a prolonged agony besides the biggest conflict in Ethiopia. There are now over 200,000 internally displaced people in the region and over 3,000 refugees who has fled to Sudan from here.

I have now mentioned several of regions, but not the one where the Law Enforcement Operations, which has been going on since early November 2020. Where the state and Eritrea claims Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF) started, but still they had pre-planned movement of troops both on the Amhara borders and across into Eritrea. It seems like foul play to me…

While the state also wants to shutdown all reporting, media and communications in the region. Therefore, little access to information, while the state wants to hold media accountable. In the end, only wanting their propaganda out and dismiss other sources. There is no verified account of the possible range of fatalities. However, we do know that there been reports of up to 50,000 people have died since beginning of November. While over 60,000 people have fled the region to get to safe-haven in Sudan. There also been bombing and shelling of Mekelle. As well, as unknown amount of foreign troops (Eritrean and Somali) in Tigray.

Already before all of these recent escalated and rouge conflicts within the Republic. The WHO stated in March 2019 that it was close to reach a 1,000,000 IDPs inside Ethiopia. After what has happened in Afar, Oromia, Ogaden, Benishangul-Gumuz and Tigray. The numbers have surely soared up and gotten worse.

There is so much trouble for Abiy. So much of it is self-inflicted and because of self-interest to rule supreme. Get rid of all enemies and be crowned king. The man who was praised for peace, but is a bona fide War-Lord. That is who Abiy is and all the conflicts within his term proves it. All the fatalities and use of force on his own citizens.

Prime Minister Abiy needs to be accountable for all of this. He clearly tries to show power and strength. However, the only thing his creating is more casualties and fatalities within his term. There is just more death and destruction. So many people are hurt and in danger, because his army and allies are using military means to settle civilian matters. Peace.

Ethiopia: Ministry of Foreign Affairs – Press Release on Recent Statements of the European Union Regarding the Humanitarian Assistance Efforts of the FDR of Ethiopia in the Tigray Region (09.02.2021)

Burma: ALTSEAN – Continued militarization undermining COVID-19 response (08.02.2021)

Opinion: OO’s despicable Op-ED

Today, Government Spokesperson Ofwono Opondo wrote an Op-ED that got published in Watchdog Uganda called ‘OFWONO OPONDO: Bobi Wine, People Power, NUP and the Poisonous Ends of Politics’. I will dissect his piece. Where I go through the most insincere paragraphs from his piece. As I will not go through it all. I will just show his sentiment and willing to distort the truth. In a manner, which isn’t right. It is not a new thing, but something that is done deliberately before.

So, before my introduction becomes to long. Here we go!

There is evidently a disturbing sameness between Kyagulanyi and Besigye of old, seeking to exploit other people’s miseries like poverty and want for their poisonous ends. In political speak, Kyagulanyi now also calls President Museveni, ‘dictator’ and ‘corrupt’ which begs the question how toxic ideas and rogue language have found convergence allowing opportunists, demagogues, and potential fascists to gain entry and influence into mainstream politics” (OO, 09.02.2021).

It is very rich of OO calling the “usage” of poverty as an poisonous end. A government who has used poverty and the lack of funds as way of survival over the years. The National Resistance Movement (NRM) have promised to enrich and secure the future since its inception. The NRM and the President have promised to be a fundamental change and secure the peasants, which it never did. So, the possible poison in the water is what the government does. Since, they can never achieve to bring wealth and secure livelihood.

Secondly, the political speak is really easy to debunk. The President call people insects, vermin and leeches. The President and states own actions deems him a dictator. When the state arrests people for their political affiliation. When the state abducts political candidates, activists and supporters. They even return dead. So, the government spokesperson should consider the acts of his peers before he name-calls the opposition. If the government was so holy, why are they targeting the opposition in this manner and what would OO call this?

Exploiting economic hardships and unemployment especially among the youths, Kyagulangi and NUP has built networks of riff-raff vigilantes around the country mainly in urban and suburban centres to harass citizens with all sorts of malevolent tactics including physical assault, violent robbery, arson and destruction to property. If left to roam unchecked, these groups could even kill” (OO, 09.02.2021).

He continues to push the use of poverty. That is really insincere from this government. Who has used all sort of tricks and schemes to every election. The state is giving and bribing voters around every election. Not like they are not doling out small gifts, but never seen the rest of year. That he call them riff-raff, is name-calling and making his own citizens into dubious characters. However, the NRM is always proud of getting NUP cadres into its fold. Just like they are proud of getting former NUPer becoming Presidential Advisors. That says it all and the state is the ones coming with guns, violence and tear-gas. So, that appears when the state comes in and use its law enforcement. Therefore, this story is old and is a lie. The protesters are burning tires and blocking roads. They are not directly causing violence. It is the state that kills its citizens and blame the protesters.

Kyagulanyi, initially taking advantage of his music pop stardom built a cult-like following into what the so-called ‘people power’ movement that has now morphed into a political party, the National Unity Platform (NUP), which while has a semblance of countrywide presence, in reality, the just concluded election showed it is a tribal sectarian outfit” (OO, 09.02.2021).

It is really strange when one party who can only have one sole-candidate and everyone have to follow his orders. Is saying another candidate is “cult” like. If there was a party who has built a cult it must be the Movement itself. Nobody can challenge or questions the decrees, orders and speeches of Museveni. So, to call Bobi Wine a cult like character is very dubious at best.

It has been proven that the NUP have a nationwide presence. They have been able to field candidates across all parts of the Republic. Even in the short time of inception. The NUP isn’t a Baganda outfit, even if the state tries to portray that. The NRM should be careful with this, as most of the high ranking official is Western and Ankole based. So, OO should not throw stones in a glass house. The Bizonto elite of NRM should be more silent here. They know perfectly well, that the NUP and FDC is a mixed group and collective of all tribes across the Republic.

Like Besigye, NUP leaders tell their gullible worshippers that poverty, unemployment and corruption are creations of Museveni, and not widespread global problems including in wealthier and developed countries” (OO, 09.02.2021).

Who is gullible OO? The ones still believing the NRM saving them after 35 years? The NRM have come with the same recycled promises and still haven’t delivered. That isn’t a global problem, but a self-inflicted and self-destructive economic policies. The state is running on deficits and grants, but not on domestic revenue. That is not the poor peasants fault, but the state who haven’t made it possible to get out of it. The state is the one putting policies and financial stimulus to ensure safety for the citizens. It is where the NRM have failed and haven’t delivered.

Calling NUP out like this only shows the fault-lines and where the NRM failed. It is not an indication of wrong-doing of the opposition. That is not taking into account the years of misrule of Museveni.

The hyped claim that FDC and NUP are the people’s popular choices has been thoroughly disproved by their performance in the just concluded election, and although failure to sell as national brands is evident, FDC and NUP leaders won’t publicly admit, hence them resorting to political slander and smear” (OO, 09.02.2021).

This here is false statement. If rigged elections are indications of NRM popularity. I would say that pre-ticked ballots and ghosts are the greatest constituencies of the Movement. Both in 2016 and 2021 the rise of the opposition was evident. The same was also shown in 2011. So, it is not like the NRM have been as popular as it was in the mid-80s and early 90s.

The NUP and FDC have proven it, but the announced results always turn in favour. Even when the tallies doesn’t make sense and the Electoral Commission have to botch the numbers. The FDC and NUP amount of MPs in comparison shows how big they become. As the state are stopping them from working as parties and get a greater presence in the Republic. It is just like the NRM are never blocked or stopped. However, the NUP and FDC have a hurdle to do basic party works. That is really important to remember. It is just like we supposed to forget the tear-gas, arbitrary arrests and blocking of venues to campaign. If that had happened to the NRM itself, which is so “popular”.

When reality strikes back as loud noise is not turned into votes, they cry about vote fraud and rigging but will never explain to the public as to why some MPs, LC5 chairpersons and thousands of councilors are returned unopposed on NRM tickets. The presidential election petition is now being used more for publicity stunt, soliciting public empathy and foreign funding than to seek legitimate justice” (OO, 09.02.2021).

The Empire strikes back at every election. Just like previously stated, the pre-ticked ballots and ghosts are always appearing in election time. The NRM couldn’t survive the elections without disqualifying and blocking opposition from attending on a grand scale. The NRM does what the UPC did in 1980s election, every single time. That is why they are fielding candidates everywhere, while the opposition isn’t able, because the state is blocking and ensuring the opposition from getting candidates.

To credit unopposed in the gerrymandering, the vindictive system and use of state machinery to get elected officials. That OO calls it a political stunt shows the disrespect of the opposition. However, his whole piece has been that. The NRM wouldn’t be alive without foreign funding and Museveni was a donor darling. So, the NRM cannot attack the Opposition for foreign funding. When it has been so vital … for the Movement itself.

Anyone who can see the potential dangers these groups pose to Uganda’s politics ought to take a stand so that resurgent fascists are defeated at their nascent stage, otherwise the overlap between legitimate politics and criminality could engulf the fabric of our public life” (OO, 09.02.2021).

This is the last paragraph of his piece and he has already shown his character here. It is all opposition who is in the wrong. Not that the NRM and Museveni. No, it is Besigye and Bobi Wine. They are the bastards and the villains of the political sphere. It maybe feels like that for the NRM and Museveni, as they want to be praised and loved. However, it is hard to love someone who abduct your loved ones. The ones who Court Martial your campaign team and keep them behind bars without proving evidence. Therefore, if you speak of criminality. To use the state for political prosecutions, that is a violation of their rights to assemble, gather and organize itself. Nevertheless, that is never an issue for the NRM. So, to call out criminal activity, they can never state what it was, but they still behind bars. That is the self-reflection of the wrong-doings of the state, which OO defends on the regular.

This here was a despicable piece and deserve to dishonoured. OO should consider the words his using, as it can be easily mirrored back in his face. Which I did already. Peace.

Haiti: MTVAYITI – Note de Protestation (08.02.2021)

Haiti: Ministere de la Justice et de la Securite Publique – Au nom de la Loi (08.02.2021)

Haiti: Ministere de la Justice et de la Securite Publique – Note de Presse (08.02.2021)

African Union (AU): Chairperson of the African Union Commission calls for the Resolution of the Somali Electoral Impasse (08.02.2021)

Ethiopia: Advocacy for Justice for the Oromo People – Tumsa Haqa Saba Oromo – Press Release (07.02.2021)

Ethiopia: Oromo Political Prisoners in Critical Conditions after 12 days of Hunger Strike

There is again terrible news in Kaliti prison in Ethiopia. That is where several of high ranking leaders from Oromia is lingering in jail. These opposition leaders are behind bars because they are a threat to the position of the Prime Minister Ahmed Ali Abiy. The Ethiopian government is striking hard down, but has no evidence in their cases or with their charges.

The Oromo leadership is targeted to control the region and the political sphere ahead of the elections. That is why these leaders are behind bars. They are not there because of their work or criminal conspiracy. Their only crime is being popular opposition leaders. Now we are seeing the costs of protesting within the prison.

Here is the current report:

1. Jawar Mohammed has lost a lot of weight, become extremely weak and can barely talk. His legs have swelled and doctors fear that this could be because of damage to his kidneys.

2. Bekele Gerba has lost a lot of weight.

He can barely talk or keep his eyes open.

He is in critical condition.

3. Hamza Borana has also lost a lot of weight. He is also in critical condition.

4. Dajane Tafa was one of the 4 people that collapsed a few days ago. He remains in critical condition.

5. Of the 4 people that collapsed few days ago, two (Boona Tibile and Dawit Abdata)were given intravenous therapy.This morning Arafat Abubakar also collapsed.

6. According to doctors, Shamsadin Taha is also in critical condition. Although he was faring well compared to the other political prisoners, his condition deteriorated quickly once he developed kidney problem as a result of the hunger strike.

7. We have been unable to have access to speak to all the Oromo political prisoners on hunger strike. From the information we’ve gathered so far, all of the 20 prisoners are in critical condition. It’s difficult to say what is going to happen in the next few hours. Their lives are in great danger and we fear the worst could happen at any moment” (Oromo Political Prisoners Defence Team – ‘Oromo Political Prisoners On Hunger Strike Are In A Critical Condition’ 08.02.2021).

This here should worry anyone and their lives are in danger. The body can hold a long time, but it is just a matter of time before the body gives way. That is what’s happening here and health care should step in. The Ministry of Health and Prison Services needs to come with dire help. Especially, since the political prisoners are now in critical condition. That should worry anyone.

There should be outrage and outcry, as these leaders needs help. The state needs to step in and give remedy. They need to show mercy and give them health care. They are in real danger. The state have to prove their humanity and care for their citizens, as these political prisoners are still citizens and do need help now. Peace.