South Sudan: South Sudan Catholic Bishops’ Secretariat – Pastoral Message – A Call to ‘Servant Leadership’ in our Nation (08.09.2021)

Opinion: AOC’s Stunt 101

Congress Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez have stirred a lot of controversy for wearing a white dress with the text “tax the rich”. That was done at the Met Gala of 2021, which is where all the celebrities and the rich is gathering. They are wearing fashionable clothes and showing themselves off, as they paying 35,000 US dollars just to partake in it.

The Met Gala was on 13th September 2021 and since then in political circles the dress has been discussed. That is all natural… however… she is not winning by doing this. Unless, she wanted headlines and get traction online. AOC is being discussed, but not in the manner of which she wanted.

It is just hypocrisy. This is the definition of weak-tea. The rich, the wealthy and the 1% wouldn’t be afraid with this. They are not scared or feels the out-of-touch demonstration. The only thing AOC is succeeding is to waste her time and her role as a legislator.

If she believes in the cause and wants to make a difference. AOC should assemble the squad. Pressure the ruling Democratic Party in Congress and get legislation passed, in which the rich will be more taxed. Make it in manner where the IRS will actually repeal the loopholes and the possibility to pay practically “nothing” while earning billions of dollars. That is what she should do and she have the opportunity to as well.

It is not like AOC is a lone activists and doesn’t have power. She is in the Squad and that’s supposed to be progressive. The Squad and it’s members are supposed to make difference. However, it has been a lot of hot-air and very little actions. That’s why this is a publicity stunt and nothing else.

AOC should put forward bills, motions and such where the taxes are aimed at the upper-class, the billionaires and the 1%. However, if she does that… she will have to battle the corporate-Democrats in combination with business-friendly Republicans. So, she will have no friends doing this and it will be a minority. Nevertheless, it would be a better look to come with an ironclad bill and tax regulations to change this…

The dress is just a stunt. It is as briefly cool as G Unit music-video “Stunt 101” and when 50 Cent drives the car straight out of the window of the car dealership. Just as you remember that and catches the speed. The same is what this dress does…

However, AOC have such more power and ability to do something about it. Instead she is writing motions sending congratulations to Bangladesh’s 50th Liberation Day. That doesn’t cost the state anything and neither is it controversial. But to fight for a just reform of taxes will be and that will target the individuals/corporations who funds the political parties. This is why it’s a bit hectic to do so and they are earning fortunes on the misfortune of others. That’s why this isn’t changing and it’s easier to come with these acts of self-importance compared to actual acts of work in Congress.

She should call the Squad and pressure Nancy Pelosi to an inquiry and make a taxation reform. We know that will not happen and it’s so simple to just show-up in dress at a Met Gala, instead of pushing legislation through the chambers of Congress. Peace.

Djibouti: You know your not popular, when the people wish you gone…

Djibouti President, Ismail Omar Guelleh, in ‘serious condition” after being admitted to a hospital in Paris. Most of his family members gathered in France. Djiboutian opposition claim he’s dead. DJ FM says Guelleh is fine and “undergoing medical check up due to lack of rest”” (Morad News, 14.09.2021).

The Djiboutian President since 1999 is now under possibly dire distress in Paris. It is not uncommon that the former colonies leaders are residing and getting medical treatment in France. President Guelleh is no different here.

The President has ruled with an iron-fist and used the authorities against dissidents. His allies in government has also sponsored the violent ethnic militia of Issa-Somali as well. So, it is not like the President is a beloved character.

That’s why there are plenty of people awaiting for his demise. The opposition would clearly not be alone. As the authorities and state has gone after the Afar people in the Republic. Many of them would wish death upon the President. They have been targeted and their livelihoods has been taken away.

So, when people play the sympathy card for the President. It is hard to forget how he treats his enemies and other minorities within his rule. Guelleh should be aware and so should his allies. It is like the 50 Cent song “Many Men” because men many wish death upon him. Some might say it’s insensitive and disrespectful to the President. However, he has ensured other people’s death and extra judicial killings. He has secured dissidents being detained as political prisoners and they have also been tortured too. Therefore, it isn’t like this man is an angle or a statesmen.

However, the President isn’t that and that’s why people spread rumours of his death. They are tired and ready for someone to truly represent them all. Guelleh is a tyrant and a dictator who just happens to have favourable friends across the spectrum, because he let them build bases in the Republic and they want him to reign for life. That is the sort of stability that makes it worth to invest and have soldiers on the ground there.

We know the family and the government will not drop the truth of the matter. They will not say or state the decease in question. The old man is suffering and knows that the health-care isn’t good enough in Djibouti. That’s why he had to travel across the continent to Paris, France to get help. This says a lot of his lacking concerns for his own citizens. When he can use the power and prestige doing this. However, his own citizens wouldn’t be allowed or have the coins to pay for the services.

That is why the opposition and everyone wishes him ill. It is not like they would say and spread rumours like this without any proper context. This is also in-connection with how the President has run the state. That is why they not so merciful and showing him common courtesy, because it is not like he would have shown that to his adversary. Peace.

Sudan: Despite Implementation of Peace Agreement, Insecurity Persists in Darfur, Sudan Sanctions Committee Chair Tells Security Council (14.09.2021)

The Panel of Experts on the Sudan updated the Committee about the implementation of the Juba Peace Agreement, regional dynamics, the status of the armed groups in the region.

NEW YORK, United States of America, September 14, 2021 – Measures ‘No Longer in Line with Reality on the Ground’ Delegate Stresses

While Sudan’s post-revolution reforms continue to register progress and peace is largely holding, implementation of the 2020 Juba Peace Agreement remains slow and lingering intercommunal violence continues to plague the Darfur region, the Security Council heard today as the head of that country’s sanctions committee presented his quarterly update.

Sven Jürgenson (Estonia), briefing the 15-member organ in his capacity as Chair of the Security Council Committee established pursuant to resolution 1591 (2005) concerning the Sudan, outlined developments for the period 14 June to 14 September. He said the Committee held its first in-person informal consultation since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic and received the Sudan Panel’s interim report as well as a briefing on its contents. It later issued a press release.

Among other things, he said the Panel of Experts on the Sudan updated the Committee about the implementation of the Juba Peace Agreement, regional dynamics, the status of the armed groups in the region, intercommunal violence and human rights violations. Both the Government of the Sudan and the Juba Peace Agreement signatory movements continued to promote peace in the Sudan, including Darfur. However, the Panel made clear that — except for power-sharing arrangements — the Peace Agreement’s implementation has encountered delays. Meanwhile, the regional context remains mainly favourable to the peace process in Darfur.

Regarding the activities of armed movements, he said the Panel informed the Committee that the Sudan Liberation Army/Abdul Wahid (SLA/AW) remains present in the Jebel Marra region. At the same time, there was some sporadic fighting during the reporting period in northern Jebel Marra between SLA/AW and Government forces. Mining revenues have helped SLA/AW build up its capability in terms of recruitment, training and weapons. In addition, the Juba Peace Agreement signatory movements have returned to Darfur, some of them engaging in recruitment, while also keeping a number of troops and weapons in Libya.

He reported the Panel’s assertion that, due to delays in the Peace Agreement’s implementation, insecurity persists in many areas of Darfur. “Despite the Government’s commitment to improve security, the Panel reported that intercommunal violence, attacks against civilians by the SLA/AW factions, human rights violations, including acts of sexual violence in conflict were recorded,” he said. In that context, enhancing the protection of civilians in Darfur continues to be of paramount importance and needs to be expedited. The Panel also cited the need for more efforts to address the underlying drivers of the Darfur conflict, including competition for scarce local resources.

Turning to the travel ban and asset freeze, he said the Panel reported that implementation remains a challenge. A new instance of a travel ban violation occurred when a listed individual, Musa Hilal, travelled to Chad in April 2021. Reiterating that the targeted measures and the arms embargo on Darfur serve the sole purpose of helping the Sudan to achieve peace, he said the Committee is assisting with the upcoming review of sanctions in order to best support the country in that ultimate goal.

Responding to that briefing, Abdalla Adlan Ali Ombali (Sudan) reiterated his Government’s longstanding and principled position rejecting the sanctions imposed on the country. “These sanctions are no longer in line with the reality on the ground in Darfur, compared to 2005 when they were imposed,” he stressed, adding that it is incumbent upon the Council to address the new reality in his country. Indeed, the situation in Darfur continues to improve every day, with a ceasefire currently holding since it was first announced. The Government is implementing the Juba Peace Agreement, it has deployed a joint civilian protection force, and it is working to address the challenges facing internally displaced persons and refugees.

Adding that the Government continues to engage the SLA/AW faction and prevent intercommunal violence, he pointed out that it is also working to promote and protect the rights of children. Dedicated units for the protection of women and children have been deployed throughout the Sudanese Armed Forces, which are responding swiftly to instances of violence. Underlining the need to speed up the capacity-building of the Sudanese Forces to combat the activities of armed groups, he said lifting the sanctions will help Sudan more quickly become a country that lives in peace throughout its borders. The Government will continue to cooperate closely with the Council, but it will not accept any sanctions expansions that do not meet with its approval, including measures that are unreasonable or that cannot be measured against clear benchmarks. “We expect to be treated fairly and objectively,” he emphasized.

Eswatini: Economic Freedom Fighters Swaziland (EFFSWA) – EFFSWA Statement on the Dismissal of Bail Application against Arrested MPs (15.09.2021)

Ethiopia: The Global Society of Tigray Scholars (GSTS) – Opposition to the Decision of Human Rights Council to Receive the Report on the Joint Investigation by the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights and the Ethiopian Human Rights Commission (13.09.2021)

Syria: National Coalition of Syrian Revolution and Opposition Forces – Syrian Opposition Coalition – Final Communique of 58th Session of SOC’s General Assembly (14.09.2021)

Djibouti: RADDE – Communique de Presse (14.09.2021)

Tchad: Front pour l’Aternance et la Concorde au Tchad (FACT) – Communique de Presse No. 0023 (14.09.2021)

Ethiopia: The Government of the National Regional State of Tigray letter to UNHCR Regional Representative Akpovo – Subject: Approval of Request Meeting (14.09.2021)