Burkina Faso: Presidence du Faso – Communique (20.02.2022)

Sudan: Forces of Freedom and Change (FFC) – Statement from the Executive Office of the Forces of Freedom and Change (20.02.2022)

The formation of the field movement coordination committee is a duty that cannot be postponed.

Preserving the unity of the resistance committees is of paramount importance.

Resisting the deterioration of living life and the economic situation is a foreground battle.

Stopping arrests and releasing detainees is the duty of the hour.

The Executive Office of the Forces of Freedom and Change held an extraordinary meeting to discuss the political situation, the economic collapse and its rapid developments today, Sunday, February 20, 2022 AD, at the National Umma Party House, Umma Party Sudan, and concluded the following:

1. The forces of the revolution are confronted by a delicate circumstance that calls for all the store of their wisdom and necessitates putting all differences aside, especially since all the forces of the revolution call for the establishment of a broad front with different descriptions of that front, its tasks and strength, but the reality of today requires the establishment of a committee or a coordinating center for the revolutionary field movement from all its components, to expand the social base of the movement, diversify its methods, and agree on daily tasks.

2. The resistance committees are a popular offspring of the glorious December revolution, and they cannot be endorsed for the benefit of any particular party. They represent the heart of the revolution and its pulse linked to the street. They also represent all categories of our honorable people, and we all have to support its unity and not expose it to disputes; Like what happened in the experience of the gathering of professionals, it is a barrier and an organizer for the efforts of millions of our people who are eager for democracy and civil rule.

3. The deterioration of living life and economic collapse is an issue that hits the doors of millions of families, and the forces of freedom and change will issue a detailed position on the policies of looting and impoverishment followed by the coup plotters, the status of the issue of living life, and the doubling of the prices of food, medicines, health services, water, electricity and cooking gas, which cannot be tolerated by large groups of the people, should be at the forefront of our daily work agenda and proposing various forms in neighborhoods, workplaces, housewives and all those affected by the Solidarity Front to combat the policies of the coup and looting of resources.

4. We condemn the arrest of Mr. Taha Othman Ishaq, a member of the Executive Office, which is a fabricated political arrest in criminal dress. We also call on the sons and daughters of our people at home and abroad to organize a comprehensive national campaign to release all detainees, who are more than 200 people, including more than 96 people in Soba prison, and to raise our voices in calling for the cessation of violence and torture, raising the banner of solidarity with the families of the detainees, and demanding the provision of food and medicine to the detainees, we urge jurists and human rights organizations to meet with Mr. Adama Deng, the expert and representative of the High Commissioner for Human Rights, who arrived in the country today and ask him to visit the detainees, work for their release, stop violence, torture and gross violations of human rights, and form an independent commission to investigate the murders committed after the coup.

The Executive Office deeply regrets that our country has returned to the state of international isolation that the glorious December revolution brought it out of. The deteriorating conditions of civilians in Darfur necessitated keeping Sudan under Resolution 2620.

February 20 2022

Executive Office of the Forces of Freedom and Change

Opinion: The Movement’s endless Money-Making Schemes

The National Resistance Movement (NRM) have endlessly created money-making schemes over the years. The Parish Development Model (PDM) is nothing new, but a configuration of previous efforts. This being the Emyooga, SACCOs, NAADs, Youth Livelihood Programme, Micro-Loan Programmes, Rural Micro Finance Project, Operation Wealth Creation (OWC) or anything else you can spell out. Heck, we should not forget the Entandikwa either.

There been so many of these and ways of which the citizen should become prosperous, but that never happens and the results are there after. It is like recycling of a bad trickle-down economics and weak mechanisms, which isn’t the benefiting the citizens or participants. They are buying into a dream, but doesn’t have the resources or market to get the execution. It is always in the reports lack of implementation and education on the matter. However, that is the system, which was never prepared or had the framework to actually work. It is like it was more important of the government to spend the funds, but not actually see any real progress or development. Since, the donors and the providers of funds just needed them to spent on any given Sunday.

The NRM has promised a middle-income country, but never seems to get there. These sorts of monetary deals is a reflection of that. Since they are going back to basics and using the same means to lift people out of poverty. There is no game-changer or progression. It is easy transactional bids to small-investors to either borrow or get short-term relief, which will not be substantial or subpar. Which in the end has to be repaid and restructured, either as a group or a profession to cash-generating income to start.

That’s why these things doesn’t sufficiently work. As there are no steady income or ability to get revenue. It is a short-term patching up the damage and the possible costs of early operation of any sort of business, but nothing to actually run these businesses and cover the expenses of actually operating. The same lack of investment is in the projects and the ones who is supposed to have oversight. It is patchwork with ministries, office of the Prime Minister or Gen. Salim Selah. Who knows really, but it isn’t with proper protocol or direction. Neither a long-term game-plan.

That’s why the Operation Wealth Creation went to Emooyga and now the PDM is the new kid on the block. While NAADs and SACCOs are still vital enterprises and means of money lending practices to the public at large. As they have to comply with the regulations of these, but vehicles in addition is the OWC, Emyooga and the PDM. However, these are all launched without any sort of proper check of accountability or even results, which could give insights to what worked and what failed. That is only in small sentences in the Auditor General reports and partly investigations into a few districts. The whole operation and spending spree has never been assessed. Therefore, God knows how things went or if it was a wasteland of government expenses on a shallow project.

This is why I don’t have faith in the PDM. There has been no real proof that OWC was working and none has really looked into Emyooga. The SACCOs and NAADs haven’t improved the Republic substantially either. It is like the state is going in-circles and hopes that nobody notices. While the high ranking officials has means to an end. Where they can trick the accounts and transfers for own gains or for campaigns of any sorts. Since there will be no oversight or accountability on the matter. It will only be partial and not a whole picture. As the realities would be to dire to describe.

It must be a reason why the state doesn’t look into or even tries to study the previous programmes. As it is busy launching new programmes to succeed the next. The only difference is the name and who is in-charge. The rest is repeating the sins of the past and hoping someone will forgive them. Peace.

Mali: Union pur la Republique et la Democratie (URD) – Communique de l’URD (19.02.2022)

The Former Kawempe South MP Munyagwa was kidnapped by an unknown security agency today

Former Kawempe South MP Mubarak Munyagwa has been kidnapped & whisked off in a drone. His aide says the kidnappers waylaid him around Masanafu as he drove to NBS Television for NBS Eagle” (Simon Kaggwa Njala, 20.02.2022).

A source familiar with the matter reveals that Joseph Sabiiti on Saturday morning rang ex Kawempe South MP Munyagwa Mubarak and gave him an offer of UGX 15m to stop defending Zaake on TV shows but the FDC strongman declined to trade his integrity for peanuts” (Emmanuel Busingye – ‘Among flees country, deploys UGX 100m for bloggers, NBS journalists’ 20.02.2022, Ekyooto.co.uk).

First and foremost we don’t know why Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) Stalwart Mubarak Munyagwa was kidnapped earlier today. He has been kidnapped and arrested before, he has fought cases and been in legal jeopardy before. This is nothing new to the former MP. He has been under fire and in trouble during his career. However, that doesn’t justify the recent kidnap and keeping hum incommunicado without any knowledge for why.

We don’t know why the former MP was taken away and kept in an undisclosed location. We don’t know the charges or the reason. If it was a bribe or he “offended the Don”. We don’t know if he has uttered some “offensive communication” or anything,

The former MP is taken without any clear reason or indication for doing so. This is lightening striking in broad daylight and for no apparent reason. That’s what’s going on. The former MP was kidnapped back in 2010 and this is a re-issue of that. Nevertheless, we don’t know the reason or why it happened. Which is showing how “rule of law” is only in the words, but not in the action of the current time. Peace.

Opinion: If you got no political currency? Do yourself a favour an attack either NUP or Bobi Wine!

If you want to know how to gain political mileage and political capital in the Republic these days. There is one thing to do. It is to find a way to go after National Unity Platform (NUP) or Robert Kyagulanyi aka Bobi Wine. That is the shortest way from poverty and obscurity into grand opulence and becoming a worthy asset of the National Resistance Movement (NRM).

It can be blatant hypocrisy or disregard all facts of the matter. As long as the target is an associate of the NUP or Bobi Wine. It is all fair game and deservingly so. The main objective is to target the loud opposition and default their value in the Parliament and elsewhere as a new Political Party. Just to weaken their base, office or even ability to move as a political formation. Therefore, its a real struggle to contain and control the narratives.

This is very clear this days, as the media houses, social media and everyone who has a little yellow blood is out for the job. They are loudmouth, head-scratching and obviously schooled to do this. Because, that’s all they do and they have all the same reasoning. It’s like the NRM Caucus talking points produced and made by 86 Generation of lost causes.

What is striking is that its a no-sum game. It is not a winning strike and neither is it showing the majority strength of the NRM. Instead, it undercuts their supposed majestic efforts and achievements over 30 years in power. The NRM should focus on actually following up pledges and manifestos. Heck, they should consider to implement and finish the 10 point programme, but we know that is another lost cause by now.

That’s why the new enemy and arch-enemy is Bobi Wine. The newest breed of politician who isn’t working like the old guard. Neither is he strategically acting like the previous heads. That’s why the NRM is trying to vilify and make them more dangerous. This is why the Parliament is more swift and butt-hurt than ever before. That’s because the NRM got nothing to show for it. Unless, it is giving away cars to appointed district leadership or officiate the opening of toilets at a government facility.

Therefore, the NRM needs to shift the conversation from the human rights violations and the torture cases. It needs to go after the NUP and it’s causes. That’s because it has nothing to offer anyway. Except for grand corruption, nepotism and butchering the rule of law, which it does on a daily basis. That’s why people don’t get to court or get justice served.

The NRM can say they brought “peace” but peace for who? His Majesty and his bloated court of jesters, which appears on the muddy roads for viral conferences? Well, good look fishing for experienced gentlemen to serve and do it diligently. When mediocrity is accepted and praised by the inner-circle.

Alas, we know the state favours it’s own, as red berets has been justification to arrest activists, but Independent owner and editor Mwenda could parade around with military fatigue. It is one law for them and another for the dissidents. That just show the sinister approach of the state, just like the Deputy Speaker can insult a MP, but the MP is not allowed to retort on Social Media. That just shows the disregard for fair play and freedom of speech. As the Deputy Speaker is allowed to speak her mind, but Zaake is muffled. That’s the price of the Republic and shows how blatant it is. It’s done in front of all of us and there is only the Yellow who can do what it pleases.

So, if you lack currency, mileage or even some sort of favours within the inner-circle of NRM. Do yourself a favour and attack either Bobi Wine or the NUP. That will give you the good graces and take you home. In such a way, that you can eat, be treated kindly and even have a buzz. Peace.

Sudan: Professional Pharmacists Association-Sudan – Statement about Increase in Costs (Price Hikes) of Health Services in Sudan (20.02.2022)

Ethiopa: OCHA Report states that only 8% of needed humanitarian assistance has gotten to the Tigray region since 12 July 2021

The humanitarian response operations in northern Ethiopia remain restricted by several factors, including insecurity and bureaucratic impediments such as the inability to bring sufficient supplies, fuel, and cash to Tigray on one hand, and on the other, the high number of people in need, limited access to people in hard-to-reach areas due to insecurity, and limited presence of partners on the ground in some areas” (OCHA, 17.02.2022).

The humanitarian assistance blockade to the Tigray region in Northern Ethiopia isn’t only in words or by description of International Aid agencies. No, it is a real deal and has consequences, as the man made famine and starvation is done in such a large scale.

Just read this one here:

In Tigray, the most northern parts along the Eritrean border including some kebeles in Rama in Central Zone, Erob in Eastern Zone, and Zala Anbessa town in Eastern Zone are still inaccessible for partners with tens of thousands of people in those areas who have not received any assistance for the past few months. In Amhara, some areas bordering Tigray are still inaccessible including parts in North Gondar, Wag Hemera and North Wollo zones due to security concerns and a volatile situation depriving the population from humanitarian assistance, including from critical food distribution. Hostilities and insecurity continued to block the delivery of humanitarian supplies into Tigray by road, via Semera-Abala-Mekelle, which has not been accessible since 15 December. The current blockage of this route has further exacerbated the flow of humanitarian supplies into Tigray, as the level of the supplies that was allowed before mid-December has been far below what is needed mainly due to bureaucratic impediments.Overall, 1,339 trucks have entered the Tigray region from Semera since 12 July, which represents only 8 per cent of the required supplies needed to meet the vast scale of humanitarian needs in Tigray. An additional 17 trucks of supplies entered from Kombolcha, Amahara, to Tigray last November” (OCHA, 17.02.2022).

When you read stuff like this… it should be a worry and a concern as so many innocent lives are behind the besieged region, which the Federal Government have abandoned and left to die. That’s why all the roads are closed into the Tigray region. While the Federal Government and their allies are claiming it’s the Tigray Defence Force (TDF) who does this damage to the region. Like they haven’t been doing this since the start of the conflict in November 2020. Therefore, we know the drill and it continues.

There is now people in Amhara, Afar and 9 millions in the Tigray region who needs humanitarian assistance in regard to food and other basic necessities. That is something you need to remember. This conflict is only causing more victims and innocent civilians who are dying because of it. Plenty more who is not eating a balanced diet. Therefore, the Federal Government is just showing their sinister plans and how they want to suffocate the region.

One step at the time, one road-block and another bureaucratic hurdle to stop it from entering and getting to the ones in dire need of help. Peace.

Sudan: Sudanese Congress Party – Statement (19.02.2022)

The masses of the free Sudanese people,

Greetings of friendship and struggle, mercy and forgiveness for the martyrs, a speedy recovery for the injured, and good promises to the missing and to the comrades arrested and detained in the cells of the security apparatus of the coup authority.

The honorable citizens of the city of Al-Abyad:

In continuation of the series of violations carried out by armed militias against the Sudanese people throughout the country in the cities, countryside and Al-Furqan, two days ago, an armed militia consisting of 9 individuals attempted an armed robbery on Al-Quba neighborhood and after the youth of the neighborhood confronted them, they were chased and live bullets were used, which resulted in the two young men, Abd al-Rahman Awad al-Hadrabi and Jamal Musa Muhammad being directly injured by live bullets, in front of their house, which resulted in fractures in (leg and knee) for the first, and he was taken to Al-Daman Hospital and from there to Khartoum, and a double fracture of the second in (the forearm) and he underwent an operation in Al-Daman Hospital, and these events were followed by a protest stand for the citizens in front of Al-Daman Hospital, demanding security.

We in the Sudanese Congress Party – Al-Obeid Branch hold the regular agencies and the state security committee fully responsible for this blatant assault on the lives of defenseless citizens by armed looting gangs and intimidating them. Putting radical solutions to the excessive security liquidity and armament inside the cities. This dangerous phenomenon has been resolved, and we wish a speedy recovery to the wounded and the wounded of the glorious December Revolution, and the shame and disgrace to the mercenaries.

We affirm our position rejecting such practices and violations that threaten the lives and security of citizens, and we will continue to express them forcefully and sternly and through various means. We also trust the will of the sons and daughters of the country to overthrow the fateful coup of October 25, and we will work with all the free and honorable people in order to restore the civil democratic transformation and the real change that meets the aspirations and dreams of the Sudanese people for a safe and dignified life and building a state of freedom, peace, justice, citizenship, law, and a homeland that embraces everyone.

And our pledge with the martyrs is to continue what they started and follow the path, and whoever walked on the path arrived.

The Sudanese revolution lived with a poisoned dagger in the necks of the coup d’état, the extinguishers, and the forces of the counter-revolution.

February 19, 2022 AD

Tchad: Chambre National des Huissiers & Chambre Nationale des Notaires – Conjoint Communique (19.02.2022)