

Ethiopia: Ogaden National Liberation Front (ONLF) and Congress for Somali Cause (CSC) – Joint Press Release (10.02.2022)







“Finance Minister Matia Kasaija today on behalf of Government of Uganda signed a project implementation agreement with the Board Chairman of Uganda Vinci Coffee Company Limited Ms Enrica Pinetti to establish a Coffee processing plant at Kampala Industrial and Business Park,Namanve” (10.02.2022).
There must be a secret connection between Italian investor Enrica Pinetti and the National Resistance Movement (NRM). Since this isn’t the first time any ministry or government entity has an agreement to build a structure and invest into the Republic.
Pinetti and Finasi Roko Construction made first agreements to build “Lubowa Project” or the International Specialized Hospital of Uganda (ISHU) back in 2015 with Project Works Investment Agreement, by 2018 a Direct Agreement and a Note Purchase Agreement in 2019.
We know that the “Lubowa Project” haven’t been successful or fulfilled it promises of a working hospital on time. Neither Finasi Roko SPV Limited, which engaged Power China Guizhou Engineering Co. Limited as the sub-contractor to do the work.
The state had agreements and paid out advances for the building of the hospital, which is still to be achieved. As the advances and the budget posts over the years has gone to the project, but the hospital isn’t built or become a unit, which is working within the Ministry of Health. Instead it has been a money-pit and a legal battleground between the company and various of ministries.
By April 2021 URN Alex Otto could report this about “Project Lubowa”:
“In 2019, Parliament guaranteed a 1.4 trillion Shillings loan to Finasi/ROKO led by Italian investor Enrica Pinetti for the construction of the 264-bed Specialized health care project. However soon after the approval, news emerged that the joint venture between Finasi and Roko had collapsed amidst reports that up to 240 billion Shillings had gone missing before the project kicked off. While the Ministry of Health handed over the site on June 10, 2019, it hoped that the construction would be completed by June 2021. However, the project remains at the foundation level and, according to Health Minister Dr Jane Ruth Aceng, it has been extended for now 15 more months” (Alex Otto – ‘Two years later, Lubowa Hospital Remains at Foundation Level’ 28.04.2021, Uganda Radio Network).
So, we have to wait even longer time for ISHU or finishing “Project Lubowa” because they have spent funds and it just becoming more expensive. A project that been a fault-line from the on-set and it has not created anything substantial … and its been a waste and continues to be a wreck of this regime.
With that knowledge the Pinetti project of Uganda Vinci Coffee Company Limited have been registered since January 2014 and a delegation from it held a meeting with President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni at the State House in July 2014. So, the company has been alive since then and now finalizing agreements with the Ministry of Finance in 2022.
What is striking is that the same government made agreement with the same business person back in 2015 and continued that project and even last year it was postponed until supposed completion. Therefore, the government should have more foresight than putting their money and hopes on the same people. As they haven’t done their proper due diligence… because these sorts of things shouldn’t have happened, but clearly its happening right in-front of our eyes.
The field investigation of the site that was planned for the Coffee Processing Plant was done in March 2020 by Alpha Geo – Engineering Limited. It has taken close two years to get an agreement with the Ministry of Finance. Therefore, we are seeing how slow and how the state doesn’t fact-check or questions the investor. As they have already a questionable reputation by what it has done with the funds for the “Project Lubowa”.
Now, the same business person who did that is now building a Coffee Processing Plant. I have a hard time believing the success of it. We should expect years of process, several more agreements and legal arguments, as well as postponed target deadlines. Since, the company and involved parties will make it long affair. We can expect court cases, ministries writing letters and directions of fresh funds, as it suddenly runs out of funds to contractors. That wouldn’t be shocking in the case of the Coffee Processing Plant, as the “Project Lubowa” should be a lesson for the government. However, they clearly have faith in the same persons to suddenly make things swiftly.
It is hard to believe that they would this but clearly they know they will get away with it. The state funds can be used for projects like these without any promise of fulfilment. The state shouldn’t go into agreement like these, but we know they work closely with Dott Services. Therefore, we know their friends and allies. It isn’t the supposed delivery or value of money that matters. It is the connection to the State House, which the Italian investor has had since 2014.
Nevertheless, the loser in this case is the taxpayer and citizens of the Republic. As the state throws money away on businesses like these without proper work ahead of it or concern of the possible spending on it. Peace.








Yesterday’s landmark ruling in the International Court of Justice is astonishing and vastly important. As it sends a message and opportunities for the Democratic Republic of Congo to seek remedy from all the parties that looted, destroyed and directly added harm to the conflicts in the two major Congolese wars, which lasted from 1996 to 2003.
All of these years, it wasn’t only Uganda Peoples Defence Force (UPDF) who invaded the then Zaire or Democratic Republic of Congo. There was several of other parties and militias that participated in it. Which was sponsored by various of parties and took part in the looting, destruction and killings. Therefore, it is right that the Government of Uganda is punished and have to pay, but the DRC have to build on this.
The DRC have to go after all the other ones who participated in the Congolese Wars. There is a need to collect evidence, witnesses and documentation, which will be deemed fit for the ICJ. Because, the DRC has been able to prove and challenge the Ugandans in the same Court. Now, it is time to do that with others. Since, we all know the Ugandans wasn’t alone in this and it was several of other parties, nations and warlords who took part. They all should pay for the grievances and harm it has committed in the DRC.
In the first Congolese War, the nations participating, which we know of was also Rwanda, Burundi, Angola and Eritrea. While in the second Congolese War there was also several of others participating in the warfare. This time it is been proven that Rwanda, Burundi, Angola, Zimbabwe, Namibia and Tchad.
We know there was several of militias that had foreign support as well. These was various of them and they had real relevance and amassed vast fortunes for the ones trading illicit mineral resources. That’s why we know the participants did use the war for profits and earn wealth on the plights of the DRC, which is just the bleak reality of all of this.
That’s why the DRC and authorities in Kinshasa shouldn’t just celebrate the victory of yesterday. They should run wild and start cases against the other parties in the conflict as well. That would be justified and fair. To go after all the nations and their armies who was in the wars. To go after the ones sponsoring and making it possible for militias to collect, earn and profit of warfare in provinces across the DRC. That would be justified and get the Republic some relief of the suffering, which it has been living through and continues to have.
It is not like the monsters of these wars are gone. They are still prominent and has possible state sponsored militias within the DRC. It is not like the neighbours has totally left and doesn’t profit on the porous borders between the republics. That what it does and this should give Kinshasa more reasons to go after them.
Let’s hope they work on it and pursuits justice, because it’s the only reasonable thing to do. The DRC should go after the other parties now, as they won over the Uganda. There are other government that should shake their boots and worry about the future tab they have to return to Kinshasa. That would only make sense at this point.
Yes, it will take years and years to get it happening, but yiu see the pay-off in the end. The DRC know how things work and should build on it. As it has the strength and wisdom to pull it off. Peace.





The Algerian government claimed the three parties had breached the law by organizing “unauthorized gatherings”.
LONDON, United Kingdom, February 9, 2022 – In the past month alone, the Algerian authorities have suspended one political party and threatened two additional ones with a similar fate, Amnesty International said today. They have also sentenced one leader of a political party to two years in prison for expressing his opinions against repression in the country, bringing the total number of those currently detained as of 25 January for the exercise of their rights to peaceful protest and freedom of expression to at least 251.
The Algerian government claimed the three parties had breached the law by organizing “unauthorized gatherings” and holding their congresses later than expected. All three parties are vocal critics of the government, have boycotted presidential, legislative and local elections and have played an active role in the Hirak, a mass protest movement calling for political change in the country since 2019.
“The Algerian authorities remain hellbent on maintaining power and are seeking to crush their opponents by trampling on their rights to freedom of assembly, association and expression. There is absolutely no justification for the prosecution of political activists and shuttering of opposition political parties,” said Amna Guellali, Amnesty International’s Deputy Director for the Middle East and North Africa.
“Algeria must end its unrelenting crackdown on all forms of dissent. Both international human rights law and the Algerian constitution guarantee the rights to freedom of expression and peaceful assembly for political parties. The authorities must immediately cease their attacks on Algerians’ fundamental freedoms.”
Suspension or threats to dissolve political parties
On 20 January 2022, Algeria’s State Council ordered the “temporary” suspension of the Socialist Workers’ Party (Parti Socialiste des Travailleurs), forcing it to cease all activities and close its premises. If it refuses to comply with the order, the Ministry of Interior can submit a request for dissolution to the State Council. The decision was based on Law No. 12-04 on Political Parties, which gives overbroad powers to the Ministry of Interior by allowing them to request that the state dissolves political parties that violate their legal obligations.
On the same day, the State Council dismissed another request from the Ministry of Interior to suspend the Union for Change and Progress (Union pour le Changement et le Progrès). The party is awaiting a judgment on the merits of the case.
In April 2021, the Ministry of Interior requested both parties to ensure that they followed Law No. 12-04 by asking them to hold their congresses. Both parties submitted the required documents and notified the ministry but received no response. Despite this, the authorities proceeded with the request for suspension.
On 6 January 2022, the Ministry of Interior sent a formal notice asking the Rally for Culture and Democracy (RCD), a prominent Algerian opposition party, to conform with Law No. 12-04 on Political Parties. The ministry said a gathering held at the party’s headquarters on 24 December did not align with the party’s objectives and was not authorized by the authorities. The meeting explored the ongoing repression of political activism in Algeria.
International human rights law protects the right to freedom of association, which includes the right to form political parties. No restrictions may be placed on the exercise of this right other than those that are prescribed by law and are necessary in a democratic society in the interests of national security or public safety. Organizing meetings to discuss the political situation or to voice critical opinions should never lead to the suspension or dissolution of a political party.
Prosecuting leaders and members of political parties
On 9 January, a judge in the tribunal of Bab El Oued in Algiers sentenced Fethi Ghares, the leader of the Democratic and Social Movement (Mouvement démocratique et social), to two years in prison and a fine of 200,000 Algerian dinars (1,420 dollars) for exercising his right to freedom of expression.
Ghares was charged with “inciting an unarmed gathering”, “offending public bodies” and publishing information that “harm the national interest” after he criticized the authorities on social media and during a meeting in the party’s headquarters in June 2021. His wife, Messaouda Cheballah, told Amnesty International that the police searched their house and seized political documents, a computer and photos of detained Hirak protestors on 30 June, the day Ghares was arrested. He is now being held in El Harrach Prison in Algiers, where he is awaiting a date for his appeal trial.
Ghares is the second member of the MDS to be unlawfully detained simply for exercising his right to freedom of expression and assembly.
On 14 May 2021, Ouahid Benhallah was arrested on his way to a Hirak protest. Two days later, he was sentenced to one year in prison on five penal code charges, including “inciting an unarmed gathering” and “endangering the lives of others”. He was released three months later after the Appeal Court reduced his sentence to a fine of 60.000 Algerian dinars (427 dollars).
The Algerian authorities have prosecuted at least 60 members of the RCD, including former parliamentarians and locally elected representatives. Four remain in detention.
Background
Since the start of the Hirak, the authorities have arrested, prosecuted and detained hundreds of peaceful protesters and activists who expressed their views either online or offline.
On 13 October 2021, the authorities shut down a well-known civil society organization, the Youth Action Rally (Rassemblement Actions Jeunesse), on bogus accusations of carrying out activities that do not match its status.