South Sudan: Sudan Peoples Liberation Movement/Army (SPLM/SPLA(IO) – Chairman & Commander-In-Chief FVP Riek Machar letter to All Units (17.01.2022)

Maldives: Association for Democracy in the Maldives – Press Release (20.01.2022)

Opinion: Abiy released Political Prisoners to salvage his image

One of the reasons the African Heads of State decided to host this year’s AU summit in Addis Ababa was that they have come to see that Ethiopia is not like what others talk about. Ethiopia is hosting thousands of its Diaspora who are enjoying their vacation peacefully and prisoners are being released. This gesture brought forth the image that this country has a hope. This was image we created which led Addis Ababa to host the AU summit. It was a difficult trial for us” – Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed Ali (17.01.2022).

When the Federal Government released some political prisoners earlier this month. They have only done it with one intention and not remedy any stances or buy peace. No, the Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed Ali with his own words are saying the quiet part loud, which is very clear here. It is not for national dialogue … or for reforms, but for posture… and that is a tragic take, but it is what the PM is stating here.

As image goes… he continued with a lot more in the speech, which shows his real stance and not the deliberate use of the political prisoners for the benefit of dialogue or for making things better in the conflict. Therefore, what his saying further is very interesting…

No government body asked me to arrest these men in the first place and no government body had asked me to release them. I am telling you the truth. This is not something related with outsiders. However, with regards to prisoners in general, we had multiple discussions” (…)let me tell you one example. When the enemy [TPLF] reached Debre Sina few of our officials suggested the idea of releasing prisoners for fear that TPLF would release them if it captures Addis Ababa. We rejected the suggestion. We will ensure TPLF would not enter Addis Ababa. Even if it enters, let the TPLF release them but we will not release them now and allow the humiliation of Ethiopia” (…) “I want you to understand that this is something that has been going on for some time. We also discussed this issue during the Prosperity Party Executive Committee meeting a month before their release. We agreed that the way to defeat an enemy is not just by attacking but also through a gesture of goodwill. We decided to continue the discussion down our ranks. I also remember in Addis Ababa the discussion held with religious leaders, businesspeople and the scholars. Every regional state has discussed this issue. It is not acceptable to say the decision is a surprise. We have discussed this for more than a month” (…) In all honesty, we wanted to achieve a political objective by releasing prisoners but we did not discuss specific individuals. I had no idea who was going to be released even when we had the meeting with the Federal Ministers [Jan 06]. The Attorney General said it has decided to release them after it conducted its own studies” (Abiy, 17.01.2022).

It is all part of ploy and clearly the leaders has been selected by the state. Which they knew could create headlines and sell “hope”. They wouldn’t pick random activists or political prisoners of low-level tier in the banned or opposition parties, which has been blocked or not been able to operate by the Federal Government.

What is striking in the same speech, he says it’s released to give a spirit of hope and to get outsiders to participate in the African Union Head of State in Addis Ababa this year. That is having influence of outsiders. To make it look all good, but he later says it wasn’t related to outsiders… that doesn’t add up… and the PM cannot have it both ways. He can either do one or the other… but not both. That isn’t working. One is a lie and the other is the truth. The matter of how proud he is of having AU Heads of State Summit. Makes it believe to be the thing, as we know the PM likes to bash in glory and be the centre of attention.

We are further seeing no concessions or plans to concede to their enemies or parties of the conflict. That is very obvious here, as we know the state have ceased direct combats, but is still using drones and affiliate armies to fight for them. Therefore, the conflict or warfare isn’t over. Neither in the Tigray or in Oromia. Therefore, the PM is false-flagging … and his continuing to kill civilians to win points with his allies.

The political objective was to sell a “false hope” and promise of better future, but that is just an image or a publicity stunt. As there is nothing else to gain but an international conference in the capital. Because, the PM wants to be the big-man and have all the flashing lights. There is no usage of them political prisoners as a bargain chip for AU. That is really it and it’s tragic…

So, the ones that has believes in the Commission and the National Dialogue is foolish. When the PM is stating it this obviously for the whole world to see and I wonder why it doesn’t face backlash. As this is speaking out loudly and arrogantly about the recent events. Mohammed Jawar and Bekele Gerba are just tools for the small objective pieces of silver, which is all the PM sought for. Peace.

Ghana: Economic Fighters League (EFL) – Abolish the Momo Tax! On the continuing Momo Tax Debacle (20.01.2022)

Ethiopia: Filsan Abdullahi Ahmed – An open letter to the Ethiopian people! (20.01.2022)

Opinion: Is the PM promoting defiance?

“I want to advise Ugandans to go to petrol stations that have not hiked the prices. Two companies have not hiked their prices. Go and buy from those ones. These others will also follow suit because it’s now not necessary for any company to hike the price above Shs5,000” – Prime Minister Robinah Nabbanja (Job Bwire – ‘Ugandans should boycott fuel stations that keep prices high- PM Nabbanja’ Daily Monitor, 20.01.2022).

We remember just mere years ago when the National Resistance Movement (NRM) government was going after “defiance”. Everyone was targeted for supporting defiance and planned corporate boycotts of businesses connected to the regime and it’s high ranking officials. There was an outrage and disgust.

The regime apologists defended going against defiance and civil disobedience. Now, the Prime Minister of the 11th Parliament and this term is speaking well of boycott. As the fuel-crisis is deepening and the state isn’t doing anything directly to help it out.

Another minister has challenged the need for arresting the fuel-station operators who is sky-rocketing the prices. As it is not a cause-and-effect scenario, as the needs for petrol is bigger than the imports of it. That’s why the prices is going up and the stations are struggling to serve the nation. Therefore, the crisis is a border issue and a supply issue.

Its not the petrol stations fault… it is the whole supply-chain from importers to the producer. As the landlock nation has made it hectic on the border and the border-post has stifled the imports. Even with the temporary stop of testing for COVID-19 on the Ugandan side of border. The Republic haven’t directly patched the hurt. No, it continues to damage the Republic and everyone in need for petrol.

The PM is showing her character her, instead of acting and finding solutions… the PM is speaking of boycotting and avoiding the petrol stations, which has to high prices. The PM should address the rises prices and the reason for it. It isn’t the companies or the stations itself, which is directly at fault. As they are based on the imports of petrol and the possibility of getting steady supplies as well. Because, if it goes empty and such … just proves the reason for the rising prices, as the needs are bigger than the current supply.

The PM should address that and the words of defiance is what an opposition leader should do. The opposition should act in defiance and ask for civil disobedience. Ask the public to boycott and stop using certain services. As that is even possible elsewhere… and when your low on fuel, your low on fuel. Then you need to buy and get more to be able to drive…

So, the PM knows this, as she has 4 wheel-drive and an SUV. She drives around and enjoys the perks of her office. Her office and her title covers for everything. There is no worries and it’s all paid for. The fuel-crisis doesn’t hit home and neither does it damage any of the elites in the government either. They are living lavish and don’t have to worry about pricing or inflation for that matter.

That’s why the defiant and defiance against certain fuel-stations is a foolish move, as it is a populist selection or trick. The state should secure the supply-chain and proper reserves to stifle the prices. Instead, the state is asking for civil disobedience, which isn’t a vibe your supposed to get from high ranking officials. Good luck doing that on the road from up-country to anywhere. So, the PM should reconsider, but don’t expect so. She’s high and mighty, which means she will not face any real consequences for this. Except for writings like mine… Peace.

Ethiopia: The Global Society of Tigrai Scholars (GSTS) – A Call for the Protection of Minorities: The Irob and Kunama People (19.01.2022)

Ethiopia: Office of the Prime Minister – The GERD as a site of cooperation (20.01.2022)

Opinion: Nobody should challenge the Queen of Twitch…

Imane “Pokimane” Anys is the one of the creators and streamers on the online streaming platform Twitch, which you should never challenge, question or even comment with a byline or a bulletin for that matter. Pokimane can get people permanently banned or use her gender-role as a victim. While she’s eating lunch while watching TV-Shows on stream.

Pokimane can go after sponsor and sponsorships, but she expects to get her bang for her bucks. She can sign deals and agreements through her management companies. That how things goes. Pokimane can turn against anyone, but she nobody can question her without getting into real trouble.

That’s why she’s the QUEEN of TWITCH. The almighty and powerful person on Twitch. Pokimane will go after Youtubers or Twitch people who makes clips or questions her a little bit. It doesn’t matter who it is, but you should never do that. If you do that… expect to be deemed as misogynist.

While she is a E-Girl who has an army of simps. She might not accept that, as she is getting tier-subs and getting donations from men who is freely giving her money. That is their free-will and if they want too. They can donate or pay her for her services, as a streamer and living on recruit difficulty. Pokimane knows this well and it’s not like she doesn’t enjoy perks of her work and lifestyle. People would have given up a lot of opportunities to get her wealth and influence, which she has…

Pokimane might feel violated, but she has turned online platforms against others. She has gone after sponsors. While she can violate the TOS and not get any real ramification. If things has gone bad… she has gone on vacation or been silent for a minute. Before the she returned like nothing happened.

Her army simps will be behind her no matter what. She is allowed to go after people and their livelihoods. Pokimane can do that, but other creators cannot question her. Not even drop “Ratio-L” or such. It doesn’t matter… because the Queen says so.

The throne is clear and it’s evident. She is an online personality who cannot be questioned or have any call-back. Her folks and team can pull strings… and clearly that is evident. People can enjoy Pokimane’s “transformative” content and ways, but people should be able to say their peace without losing their platform.

If it’s Gundam, Leafy or JiDion for that matter… and we know she goes after Ninja too. If not also going after Bowblax as well. There is no end, as she is vicious and targets people who questions her. Pokimane has also gone on a rampage with copyright strikes against YouTube creators in the past. While she can watch full TV-Content and YouTube videos to kill time on stream between video-games. Therefore, she is not the righteous person to do so…

She just strike against them, because they made content about her, which she didn’t deem fit or didn’t like. Since it just happened to be critical about her. If it was Keemstar or PewDiePie who made video’s about her. That’s why she went after them as well.

Pokimane can act differently and calmly, but it is all calculated. That’s why the ones who aims at her will be hurt. She will use her gender and stigma for her benefit. Pokimane is the Queen and people just have to live with it.

She sits on the throne and can get away with everything. While the detractors will get punished. Peace.

RDC: Archdiocese de Lubumbashi – Communique de Presse No. 002 (19.01.2022)