South Sudan: Joint Communique on the Visit of H.E. Abdel Fattah Al Burhan, Chairman of the Sovereign Council of Sudan to the Republic of South Sudan (18.03.2022)

Ethiopia: The Prosperity Party is promoting NaMA’s Central Committee now..

The majority and ruling party Prosperity Party have on their verified Facebook page reported directly from the National Movement of Amhara (NaMA) Central Committee meeting, which will be a two-day meeting.

What is striking about this. The need to do this shows how NaMA is embedded in the Prosperity Party. It is a part of it and a direct ally. It isn’t an independent body or can be seen as such. Heck, their own verified page haven’t a new post since 4th March 2022, but Prosperity Party dropped the news about NaMA just mere 4 hours ago. That says something and no one should be shocked.

There is a reason why NaMA is so close, they are the pulse of the Amhara and the allies of the “Survival Campaign” and the genocidal war in Tigray region. They are defending and wants the Federal Government to continue it’s warfare in Tigray region. Surely, they will say the humanitarian assistance blockade isn’t enough. The man-made famine and starvation isn’t enough for them. That is the sort of nationalists and extremists, which are lingering in NaMA. That is the loyal allies of the Prime Minister and the “unifying” Prosperity Party.

That’s why Prosperity Party wrote this about the plans of NaMA:

As Mr Tahir said, it will be widely examined how NaMA’s role was in destroying the war in the country. It has been said that it will also be discussed on the issues that should be held in the future by evaluating the situation where the survival campaign was led. Regarding the comprehensive and inclusive national understanding, He said it will also address issues that could benefit the people of Amhara in particular” (Prosperity Party – ‘NaMA is holding the Central Committee meeting in Bahir Dar’, 18.03.2022).

If you didn’t believe me that they wrote about making plans for the next 5 years… here is the translation of the text:

The central committee is expected to discuss and approve the organization’s strategic direction for the next five years” (Prosperity Party -‘NaMA is holding the Central Committee meeting in Bahir Dar’, 18.03.2022).

If you ever wondered about the loyalty or the close connections between the parties. What happened today cements it. Yes, NaMA has a minister in Abiy’s cabinet and is clearly in the ear of the PM. If the PP didn’t care or see any value. They wouldn’t have reported about it and used their platform to tell what NaMA plans to do the next two days. It shows they are promoting and spreading the news about the party.

It shows that there is a possible marriage of convenience between these parties. As the PP see it in their interests to address it and tell what is happening in the Central Committee of the NaMA party. That is really special and shows how the PP acts now.

I never thought this was possible… but here we are. Peace.

Ukraine: President Zelensky speaks to the Russian families and their fallen soldiers

The 22nd day of our struggle, our defense against one of the world’s largest armies is over. Which we make smaller every day. Every day. But it still has numbers, equipment and reserves. We have information that the Russian military is recruiting mercenaries from other countries, trying to deceive as many young people as possible into military service. We know that this will not help them. So now I warn everyone who will try to join the occupiers on our Ukrainian land. This will be the worst decision of your life. Long life is better than the money you are offered for a short one” (Zelensky, 18.03.2022).

Here we are on the 22nd Day of the Russian-Belorussian invasion of Ukraine. His speeches brings inspiration, but also show how the government are working in war-time. President Volodymyr Zelensky is speaking and showing the courage of Ukrainians in the middle of their struggle to defend their nation against their neighbour.

What is striking is how he warns the Russian soldiers and their allies. Because his speaking directly to them. So, that they can know what is awaiting them. That they can met their grave and die in war, which they could have avoided. Since, the Ukrainian President doesn’t want to see their demise, but he has too. If they participate and does take part of the invasion. That is really saying something. Instead of speaking of vengeance… his showing character yet again.

Just read this quotes here:

Our courageous defenders continue to hold all the key areas that the enemy is pressing. And respond to every attack. To every blow of the occupiers to our peaceful cities, to our people. New Russian conscripts have been taken prisoner. Among them are those who refuse to return to Russia. And there are many who are not even mentioned in Russia. They don’t even try to take them back. Their death notifications have been sent to their families although they are in captivity and alive. All Russians who can hear me now, speak about it. Tell it in Russia. Every mother who knows that her son was sent to war against Ukraine must check where her son is. And especially those who cannot contact their children, who have been told that their children had been killed. And who didn’t receive the bodies. There are phone numbers on the Internet that you can call and find out what is really happening to your children. We did not plan to take thousands of prisoners. We do not need 13 or any number of thousands of dead Russian soldiers. We do not need it. We didn’t want this war. We only want peace. And we want you to love your children more than you fear your authorities” (Zelensky, 18.03.2022).

You know the war is going bad and the Russian government don’t want to show it locally when they are leaving the bodies behind. Since, if the deceased and killed soldiers on the front-line was returned home. The communities of the soldiers, the families and friend across Russia would see the affects of the war. It wouldn’t just be stats, but be consequential to how the society reacts to it. Maybe, Kremlin don’t want that, as it is thing that would backfire and also cause a stir. People would see the death-toll and losses, as every single person has a family and friends. That will wonder what happened to them. Since, they knew that they left for the front and now they have never returned. So with that in mind, this is also a signal of what is going on and could create reactions within Russia. You never know how fathers and mothers of fallen soldiers will react, but it could spark a counter-reaction, which Kremlin cannot control. That’s why they rather leaving the bodies behind… because the Russian authorities wants everything under wraps and not expose the losses after the start of the invasion.

The occupiers thought they were going to Ukraine, which they had seen before, in 2014-2015. Which they constantly corrupted and which they were not afraid of. But we are different. And this allows us to defend ourselves against a full-scale strike for 22 days already. Everything we have done in a few years. For our defense. For our tactics. For defense tactics, which is not the time to reveal while the war is going on. It is not the time to reveal our tactics of negotiations as well. Negotiations for peace, sovereignty, territorial integrity of our state, our freedom. Working more in silence than on television, radio or Facebook. I think this is right” (Zelensky, 18.03.2022).

Here Zelensky is addressing how the Russians didn’t have the foresight or the idea of how the Ukrainian army would be able to defend itself. It thought strategically that it would be easy and that they could just takeover the Kyiv easily. However, Ukraine has proven to be a hard nut to crack and the Russian armies haven’t found a way to break through. That’s why their assaults are becoming brutal and they want to kill all morale. Since, there weapons, manpower and everything else haven’t succeeded.

These sorts of addresses from Zelensky is important. They will be vital and not only from a PR perspective, but from the sentiment of the head of state. As he sets the tone and shows heart in the middle of conflict. His proving his leadership qualities and also an orator in a time of need, which shows the bravery and the heroic spirit of Ukraine. As they continuing to defend their sovereignty and territorial integrity. Peace.

South Sudan: “Don’t abandon us”: An Open Letter to Permanent Representatives of Member and Observer States of the United Nations Human Rights Council (14.03.2022)

Nicaragua: Centro Humboldt – National Assembly Revokes Centro Humboldt’s Legal Personality (18.03.2022)

Pakistan Bar Council: Press Release (18.03.2022)

Association des Conferences des Ordinaires du Rwanda et du Burundi: Communique de Presse de l’ACOREB a l’Issue de son Assemblee Pleniere Ordinaire (17.03.2022)

Sudan: Sudanese Congress Party – The state of Khartoum – Statement on the spread of murder and looting (17.03.2022)

The media and various media reported the incident of the killing of young Mazen and the armed attack on the Naivasha commercial complex in Khartoum, which resulted in the first’s death as a result of the attack and stabbing of him by an unknown group.

We in the Sudanese Congress Party in the state of Khartoum hold the coup authorities responsible for the deteriorating security situation in the state of Khartoum, which was represented in the spread of looting and kidnappings that spread in all districts of the state of Khartoum.

At a time when Khartoum has turned into a huge military barracks with the aim of suppressing, chasing and arresting peaceful demonstrators in processions, these forces ignore their primary role in protecting citizens, preventing crimes and securing property, until the security chaos became a real threat to the lives of many in the national capital.

Khartoum state supporters:

We in the Sudanese Congress Party, in the state of Khartoum, demand the police and the state security committee to play their primary role, extend security throughout the state, bring criminals to justice and prevent security breaches.

March 17, 2022

The Gold Refinery in Entebbe get sanctioned by the U.S. Treasury [which is the African Gold Refinery]

gold is gold, and they simply need gold” – Gold Smugglers (UN, 2020, P: 19).

Today on the 17th March 2022 the U.S. Treasury has sanctioned the African Gold Refinery and Alain Goetz. This is hitting the Government of Uganda (GoU) which has been proud of this refinery. They are directly hitting the profitability and ability to trade. As the AGR will be blacklisted and possibly make it harder sell it’s gold.

In the U.S. Treasury statement today, it said this:

Today, the U.S. Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC), sanctioned Alain Goetz, the African Gold Refinery in Uganda, and a network of companies involved in the illicit movement of gold valued at hundreds of millions of dollars per year from the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). The illicit movement of gold provides revenue to armed groups that threaten the peace, security, and stability of the DRC. Today’s action was taken pursuant to Executive Order (E.O.) 13413, as amended by E.O. 13671, which targets, among other things, individuals and entities involved in activities that threaten the peace, security, or stability of the DRC or that undermine democratic processes or institutions in the DRC. Our action demonstrates the U.S. commitment to disrupt the illicit mineral trade and encourage mining sector transparency” (U.S. Treasury – ‘ Treasury Sanctions Alain Goetz and a Network of Companies Involved in the Illicit Gold Trade’ 17.03.2022).

Where it further states:

Since 2016, AGR has sourced illicit gold from mines in regions of DRC that are controlled by armed groups, including the Mai-Mai Yakutumba and Raia Mutomboki that are involved in destabilizing activities in South Kivu, DRC. AGR has a refining capacity of 219 tons per year and is considered one of the largest gold refineries in Africa, after refineries in South Africa and Ghana. AGR and Goetz acknowledged that a share of the gold AGR refines comes directly from mines in the DRC and has taken over a significant portion of the market for gold trafficked from the DRC” (U.S. Treasury – ‘ Treasury Sanctions Alain Goetz and a Network of Companies Involved in the Illicit Gold Trade’ 17.03.2022).

The U.S. Treasury isn’t taking this information from nowhere. This has been recorded and proven through United Nations Experts reports over the years. The Entebbe Gold Refinery has been tracked and so has all the illicit minerals, which has gotten to it. It has been taken from conflicts and been a valuable commodity for the militias inside the Democratic Republic of Congo, which trough various of channels has traded it with the AGR. Who again has sold it to the world market.

Back in 2020, there was further proof of how it was operated as:

““The Group established that, on 9 February 2018, African Gold Refinery Ltd sold its shares to AGR International Ltd, a company registered in the Seychelles at Global Gateway, 8 rue de la Perle, Providence, Mahe, Seychelles (see screenshot below). The Group wrote to the authorities of the Seychelles, who confirmed that AGR International Ltd was registered in the Seychelles at the address listed in the Uganda Registration Services Bureau documents” (UN, 2020, P: 107).

So, this corporation will have international implications. It will not only go after Goetz or AGR. This will go even further with time. A Belgian report on the Refinery in 2019 said this:

Sources in government refer to a speech by the Ugandan president at the ceremonial opening of AGR in 2017. Museveni then said that government agencies opposing the refinery would be ‘tackled hard’. ‘Goetz feels unassailable. And not without reason. He clearly has the protection of President Museveni himself’, says investigative journalist Haggai Matsiko of the Ugandan monthly The Independent. ‘Goetz has put a lot of money into its project (AGR says it has already invested $40 million, ed.). The president seems convinced that the refinery adds economic value by turning Entebbe and Kampala into a gold hub.’” (Kasper Goethals – ‘‘Gold is a dirty business, even if I do say so myself’ 20.04.2019, De Standaard).

With this in mind, this is a major blow to the wishes of President Museveni. The U.S. is sanctioning it and setting a precedence of which makes transactions with it questionable. Yes, at this moment it is about trading and association with U.S. businesses and citizens. Alas, the AGR is a prestigious part of the gold adventure Museveni wanted to have.

Let us not forget the June 2017 Global Witness Report “Under-Mined” on the AGR, which stated this:

African Gold Refinery is run by a small group of Belgian and Ugandan businessmen, including former government minister Richard Kaijuka, who are managing to ship hundreds of millions of dollars’ worth of gold out of Uganda without disclosing its origin and paying very little tax in the process. They are the owners and managers of a newly built gold refinery on the shores of Lake Edward near Entebbe airport. Remarkably, Barnabas Taremwa: brother-in-law to Salim Saleh, Museveni’s most famous brother and Uganda’s de facto number two, told Global Witness that he had helped negotiate the company’s huge tax breaks with the government (corroborated by documents seen by Global Witness) and set up supply routes for the refinery” (Global Witness, P: 27, 2017).

““Alain Goetz, who is also the CEO of the company, a Belgian national, is one of the most famous dealers of Congolese gold in recent history. During the 90s the Alain and his father Tony, who died in 2005, were reported as dominating gold exports from the Congo through their networks to Belgium and later Dubai” (…) “Mr Barnabas Taremwa, who previously worked for AGR is the brother in law of Salim Saleh, the President’s brother. AGR told Global Witness in a letter dated January 2017 that Taremwa’s sister and Salim Saleh had divorced three years ago, seemingly in an attempt to distance themselves from the General. However, Salim Saleh told Global Witness that “Barnabas Taremwa is still my brother in law and it is false and an insult to me for you to state that I divorced his sister.” (…) “Richard Henry Kaijuka is the Chairman of AGR.160 According to an article in Africa Energy in June 2011, Mr Kaijuka is “a childhood friend of President Yoweri Museveni, who fell out with the regime after he opposed a controversial constitutional amendment in 2005 that removed presidential term limits.” (Global Witness, P: 73, 2017).

So, if you know all of this. You know the AGR is hitting home. This will hit the State House and the Presidency. Not only the pride of selling illicit minerals from militias in the DRC. No, he will not earn profit on the tears and suffering of the DRC anymore. At least not at the same scale or have the possibility of trading it to the United States. This is a proof of the possible damage it can do. This is million of dollars of exports that can be hit by this sanction. Because, AGR is a tainted business…

That is the truth here and it is about time. Reports about it from it’s inception should have been the warning sign. Yes, the official date was back in 2017, but it was operating from 2014. So, there been lost years and the AGR haven’t really complied with proof of where the gold came from and therefore, this is well deserved. Finally, a place which is a hot-spot for conflict minerals get hit with sanctions. Peace.

Ukraine: The Baltic Nations has now officially declared support for a No Fly Zone over Ukraine

The Lithuanian Seimas unanimously adopted a resolution calling on the United Nations to take immediate action to secure a no-fly zone over #Ukraine to stop the mass deaths of civilian” (LR Seimas, 17.03.2022).

The Saeima (Parliament of Latvia) adopts a declaration calling for a No Fly Zone over Ukraine & other measures to limit Russia’s aggression against Ukraine” (Latvia in the UK, 17.03.2022).

The Estonian Republic adopted the resolution for the No Fly Zone on the 14th March 2022. The two other Baltic Republic have followed after it and have made their own declarations today. This means that Vilnius, Riga and Tallinn is all supporting the wishes the of Kyiv. They are all waging in the war between Russia and Ukraine. This is answering the plea of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.

If anyone is doing more solidarity and empty gestures. This is doing it and how it should be done. The Parliaments of the Baltic Republic’s asking for the No Fly Zone over Ukraine is change. That they are writing declarations or resolutions, which they will petition the United Nations. Says it all.

A CEPA article explains the importance and implementation of it:

UN member states could form a coalition willing to defend Ukraine’s airspace from attacks by the Russian aggressor. The readiness of countries representing different regions to secure the NFZ in Ukraine will shift attention from the United States and NATO to “global support and defense.”

How might this work?

  • Using Articles 5 and 6 of the UN Charter, Russia’s membership in the UN and, in particular, in the Security Council, should be suspended.
  • The UN Security Council could then approve the no-fly-zone according to Article 42 of the UN Charter.
  • In accordance with Article 47 of the UN Charter, a Military Staff Committee is established.
  • The newly created NFZ coalition is established, under Articles 45 and 49 of the UN Charter.
  • The NFZ is designed in a way that can ensure the protection of Ukraine’s airspace and avoid the escalation of military activities on the territory of other states.

There are various ways to implement a no-fly-zone, including the exclusion of hostile aircraft within a clearly defined area. The only operations on the ground would be to suppress enemy air defenses posing a threat to allied aircraft” (Olena Tregub – ‘The aerial umbrella sought by Ukraine doesn’t have to be imposed by NATO — the United Nations could also act’ 10.03.2022, CEPA).

So, there is possibilities to make it happen. However, we know that the leader of NATO Jens Stoltenberg has been hesitant and so has other major European Union (EU) nations. While the Baltic support is a game-changer. They are putting it in print and showing direct support of it. That is as official as it can get.

Estonia started, Latvia and Lithuania followed. This shows what solidarity and support is in war-time, as a nation is turned into a war-zone. Plenty of other nations has helped with arms, military defence systems, military vehicles and ammunition. However, this is directly what Ukraine has asked for.

If there ever was a signal and a beacon of hope. This is it. They are doing the right thing and in the hour of need. Someone could have said that they should have done it quicker. Nevertheless, they did it and now it should pile pressure on others to follow their example. Peace.