South Sudan: Funding gap forces World Food Programme to cut food rations in South Sudan (08.04.2021)

Opinion: Farmaajo prefers being an unelected leader

Now it’s official as yesterday’s failure of moving forward with the upcoming elections is clear. As the Federal Government of Somalia (FGS) couldn’t get into an agreement with the Federal Member States (FMS). That is why everything has failed. The September 17th 2020 agreement hasn’t been respected and now there is no accord between the parties.

The term of President Mohamed Abdullahi Farmaajo ended already on the 8th February 2021. Since then he has tried to push the Lower House to vote in a motion for a 2 year extension. It has been controversial and he hasn’t moved for more negotiations with the FMS as well. Now, they had the final meeting yesterday and it was a utter failure.

Since Farmaajo have the Somali National Army, Gorgor and Haram’ad are under his spell. These armies and brigades are following his orders and awaiting his next operation. These trained armies can clearly be used to sway a Member State and go after the leaders who doesn’t follow suit. Therefore, the delay of elections seems deliberate.

Farmaajo is the only one winning with this. The former President, turned “interim” and awaiting to become the “transitional” President. As he surely planning a “Transitional Council” and prolong his reign. That sort of move would only be validated by MPs whose term also ended in February and means their validation could be seen as void as well.

Whatever that happens now and the separation from Farmaajo from several of Member States. That he could muffle them and shut them up. He couldn’t get them to be swayed as the ones he has appointed and gotten into leadership roles. Clearly, this man wants to continue his Presidency, but not get an election. As he fears of losing and could easily become a one-term President and that’s humiliating. Especially, when he has served they way he has.

This President has changed the Speaker of Lower House to a allied. He also appointed a second Prime Minister to have another ally there as well. This has all been done to ensure he has his men in roles and to ensure his reign. They are there to serve him and he has the armies too. That is why his not fearing the FMS or any other.

Farmaajo has the guns and the International Community isn’t challenging him either. They have condemned and said its regrettable. But they are not going after him or delegitimizing him. His off the hook and can run his scheme.

The scheme is seemingly being the head of state without any elections. The former/interim becoming a “transitional” one. He will do that in one way or another. Even as Member States and the Council of Presidential Candidates are saying that he doesn’t have a mandate or eligibility to do so. The ones supposed to serve his wishes is already on borrowed time themselves. Unless, they are fearing to at gun-point with Farmaajo.

Farmaajo is risking all security and usage of Villa Somalia just to retain his role and office. His willing to destroy any sort of progress just for personal gains. That is a sad state of affairs and show how not to personify the state. One person shouldn’t become the personification of the state, but Farmaajo have clearly done this and with the added support of his armies.

This is seemingly at this point a never ending affair. Farmaajo will prolong his stay and never let go. That’s why his stalling and not following up pre-election talks. Ensuring they cannot hold elections and he can stay put where he are, and not leave. Peace.

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Somalia: The Council of Presidential Candidates (CPC) – Press Statement (07.04.2021)

Southern African Development Community (SADC): Communique of the Extraordinary Double Troika Summit of Heads of State and Government of the Southern African Development Community (08.04.2021)

Guinee: Front National pour la Defense de la Constitution (FNDC) – Communique No. 166 (08.04.2021)

Ethiopia: The Finfinne Intercept leaked diplomatic cables of planned efforts to thwart international sanctions

All efforts must be made to use every means to stop another resolution on Ethiopia to be adopted by the House” (Finfinne Intercept – Briefing Note on the latest development in the Tigray Region, P: 6, 01.04.2021).

The Finfinne Intercept have dropped an intelligence document of what is sent to the authorities and state agencies. This is cables and other messages from the state to ensure their case is sufficiently told abroad. It is clear that the Addis Ababa government and Prosperity Party wants to block and stifle possible sanctions on itself.

The Finfinne Intercept described the leak like this: “A diplomatic cable leaked to FI shows Ethiopian authorities are anxious about possible sanctions from the US and the EU over their handling of the humanitarian crisis in Tigray. The internal memo also suggests Ethio-Eritrean relations may have hit a rough patch as a result of Ambassador Dina Mufti’s remarks about Eritrea’s independence” (Finfinne Intercept, 05.04.2021).

The Ethiopian government wants to ensure the state doesn’t get any punitive actions for what it has done to its own citizens. They want the Europeans and Americans lawmakers to not use their mechanisms to punish the Ethiopian regime who is overseeing the conflict and ordering the destruction of Tigray.

That is really evident by what is in the Briefing Note from Finfinne Intercept. This is maybe late, but important information, which should be public. This shows the intention of the Ethiopian counterparts. Where they are targeting the United States and European Union with direct plans to either water down legislation or stop the other from activating their mechanisms.

Pressure of US and US Legislators:

It is also important to note that there is push for another resolution on Ethiopia to be adopted by the House. The text was introduced by Congresswoman Karen Bass who serves in the House Committee on Foreign Affairs and Chairs the Sub Committee on Africa, Global Health, and Global Human Rights. The text calls on the United States Government to consider application of existing United States sanctions authority, including as provided for in the Global Magnitsky Human Rights Accountability Act, for gross violations of internationally recognized human rights” (…) “It is also absolutely critical to do the same in trying to water down the text introduced in the House and make sure that it reflects the significant progresses made recently” (Finfinne Intercept – Briefing Note on the latest development in the Tigray Region, P: 5-6, 01.04.2021).

Pressure on EU:

What High Representative Joseph Borell said in terms of the EU’s readiness to activate all its foreign policy tools against those responsible for human rights violations should be taken seriously and efforts should be made to stop the activation” (Finfinne Intercept – Briefing Note on the latest development in the Tigray Region, P: 10, 01.04.2021).

Just these small statements and sentences says enough. How the Ethiopian authorities plans to boil things down and stop international sanctions. These leaked cables clearly show their intentions and what sort of game-plan the Ethiopians have. They are not concealed here or in diplomatic language. What the reported leaks says, seems true as well. As the Ethiopian Embassies are “explaining” and “writing” statements to any reporting coming out about the conflict. Therefore, this FI Report is validated just by that alone.

As the final piece of text from there: “A greater coordination between and among our Embassies and Missions in Europe and America should be established to make every possible effort to explain the important steps taken on the ground to respond to the concerns raised by the US and the EU. Time is of the essence” ((Finfinne Intercept – Briefing Note on the latest development in the Tigray Region, P: 11, 01.04.2021).

This shows the deliberate actions and means, which the Ethiopian authorities goes by. They are ordered and told in cables to be active. To use their platforms to respond, which they do every single time. That is the coordinated efforts and proves it is planned. They are setting the agenda and also trying to undermine the reporting. Which isn’t of the nature and the mind of the ruler in Addis Ababa. That is why these cables are sent out in the first place.

That the FI – The Station leaked these cables and dropped it online. Will make it able for more people to see what extent the Ethiopian government goes through to undermine and stop others from acting on the crimes against humanity. The massacres, the starvation and all other efforts to win the guerrilla war in Tigray. That is deliberate act of the state and its now up in the open. A sort of game plan the state would have been preferred to be kept hidden. However, one civil servant or several wanted to be whistleblowers and dropped this for the whole world to see. Peace.

Ethiopia: Oromo Legacy Leadership and Advocacy Association – OLLAA Demands Investigation into Shawa Robit Massacre and Justice for Victims’ Families (07.04.2021)

Kenya: Kongamano La Mageuzi (KLM) – Police Repression as a Distraction from Kenya’s Most Pressing Issues (07.04.2021)