RDC: Justicia Asbll – Communique de Presse No. 004 – Agression et Enlevement du Magistrat Jacques Matanda Kavulambedi du Parquet pres le Tribunal de Paix de Lubumbashi/Kamalondo par des Agents de l’ANR/Haut Katanga dirige par le Redoca Champion (09.03.2022)

Zimbabwe: Movement for Democratic Change – Alliance (MDC-Alliance) – MDC Alliance preparedness for March 26 by elections (10.03.2022)

Philippines: National Citizens’ Movement for Free Elections (NAMFREL) – NAMFREL welcomes the new COMELEC Chairman and Commissioners as it urges more transparency in the 2022 elections (10.03.2022)

Mali: Communique No. 021 du Gouvernement de la Transition (10.03.2022)

Tchad: Parti Fefomiste (P.R) – Communique de Presse No. 07 (10.03.2022)

Mali: Ministere de la Defense et des Anciens Combattants – DIRPA – Communique No. 020 de l’Etat-Major General des Armees (09.03.2022)

South Sudan: R-JMEC has asked the Government to provide it a roadmap on how to end the Transitional Period

Yesterday Maj. Gen. Charles Tai Gitaui, the Chairman of the Reconstituted Joint Monitoring and Evaluation Commisison (R-JMEC) delivered his statement on the progress of the R-ARCSS and the implementation of the process to the United Nations Security Coucil (UNSC). As this would prove how the R-TGoNU and all the stakeholders are coordinating and working together to facilitate all the articles of the agreement. However, the R-JMEC is stating what we already knew, but shows that the time and the current movement is to slow.

The Government of South Sudan, the leadership and everyone in Juba is clearly not moving ahead. The Head of State and the Ministers are not motivated or having the ambition to finish the stipulation of the R-ARCSS. Since, it is not like they have tried and unknowingly, there is always a crisis and a scandal, which comes as an excuse to postpone or hold later conferences or meetings to ensure all stakeholders are approving of the steps forward.

That’s why Maj. Gen. Gitaui is speaking the truth here:

Overall, progress in implementation of the Revitalised Peace Agreement has generally been very slow from the beginning, and there are several recurring challenges facing it. The challenges include lack of sufficient resources (both financial and material) needed for the implementation of the Agreement; insufficient political will and commitment of some actors; trust deficit amongst the Parties; capacity gaps; subnational violence and activities of the holdout groups; military defections from one signatory party to another; flooding; and the COVID-19 pandemic” (STATEMENT BY H.E. MAJ. GEN. CHARLES TAI GITUAI (RTD) INTERIM CHAIRPERSON, RJMEC ON THE STATUS OF IMPLEMENTATION OF THE REVITALISED AGREEMENT ON THE RESOLUTION OF THE CONFLICT IN THE REPUBLIC OF SOUTH SUDAN TO THE UNITED NATIONS SECURITY COUNCIL, 08.03.2022).

What is striking is that the state doesn’t have enough funds to implement it, but has a huge staff of cronies and nepotism. There are so many Vice-Presidents, but not working hospitals or schools for the citizens to use. Neither is there other government institutions to help the citizens. That should be the priority, but the state prefers to pay for SUVs and majestic titles for the insiders. If not ensure shady deals and lavish spending on VIPs. Therefore, the teachers and civil servants are not paid, but they got to bribe other state employees to get the help they need. That is what is reported, but not supposed to be told.

It doesn’t make it better that R-JMEC has to ask about this now:

Given the challenges facing implementation, the critical tasks pending, and the Agreement timeline nearing expiry, RJMEC has tasked the Revitalised Unity Government to review the status of the implementation of the Agreement and develop a clear roadmap and strategy within the framework of the Revitalised Peace Agreement on how to implement the outstanding critical tasks as the end of the Transitional Period approaches. The roadmap should be consensus-based, with verifiable benchmarks and timelines” (STATEMENT BY H.E. MAJ. GEN. CHARLES TAI GITUAI (RTD) INTERIM CHAIRPERSON, RJMEC ON THE STATUS OF IMPLEMENTATION OF THE REVITALISED AGREEMENT ON THE RESOLUTION OF THE CONFLICT IN THE REPUBLIC OF SOUTH SUDAN TO THE UNITED NATIONS SECURITY COUNCIL, 08.03.2022).

This is telling the stakeholders, the government and everyone involved to sit down. Meet and greet, nod their heads and make lists of things they need to fulfil. While they have to make a time-line and deadlines to finish it. Alas, they have to gather, hold conferences and meetings. These most likely has to happen in Khartoum, Entebbe or in Rome. The warlords and the ones in-charge has to trust each other and settle grievances across the table. The opposition as well as the In-Government parties. All of them has to join forces, talk and negotiate. They have to make things possible and show goodwill.

That’s why this is worrying sign, after all of this time… that the R-JMEC has to ask for this now. Shows the current affairs isn’t moving along or trying it even. Just like they are not interested in it. Because, that means it has to sincere elections and possible changes of leadership.

If things are staying as now and with the ones in power. Things are not possibly moving, if anything at all. That is risking the ones who has an office and finally gotten power. They are seemingly happy with that and bashing in the glory of it too. While the limbo and transition seems to be a steady unit and not a temporary gig. It seems like it is stagnate and only keeping everyone worried with caution. With that being said, this is better than war and conflict. It is better to be stagnate and have lack-luster results. However, you cannot deliver that on the regular and expect to be praised either. Mediocrity isn’t something to aspire too and being self-imposed leaders aren’t that inspirational either.

President Salva Kiir Mayardit, FVP Riek Machar and the others have a torch to carry and light a flame that be an eternal one. They can bring the peace and a representative government to the Republic of South Sudan. That is, if that is of interest and if they have will to do it. The ones in-charge and leading the nation has the opportunity and ability to make it happen. However, their will haven’t been there…

I doubt the nod and the wink of deadlines or roadmaps will make a difference. Only add stress and cause a stir. As that makes the leaders more edgy and they know they actually has to finalize the “transition” which they hoped could be semi-permanent. Since that is how it’s looking to me. Peace.

Opinion: Everton is in a relegation battle with a wildcard manager

The Evertonians should worry about the state of the club. They have been worried for a long time. Times has not become better with Carlo Ancelotti or Rafa Benitez. None of these managers has delivered or made changes which made the club any better. There been years since Everton had the stability of David Moyes or even results worthy of the first season of Roberto Martinez.

Everton is a big club and supposed to be a staple in the Premier League. However, the club is now on shaky grounds. They have appointed Frank Lampard in the end of January 2022 and right before the transfer window was closed. Just in the nick of time, so he could loan Van Der Beek (Manchester United) and get Dele Ali (from Tottenham). Together this trio was supposed to make a huge difference and get results.

Since then Everton has won over Brentford and Leeds at home. However, the rest of the results has been abysmal and not giving much hope. The club is trailing and only one point above the relegation. Newcastle is far off the map now. While Everton should worry about Burnley and Watford. These clubs are used to relegation battle and Everton is not.

While Watford has their own troubles and has hired Roy Hodgson, which in itself isn’t a bargain either. Yes, Hodgson built a stable and hard-working team in Crystal Palace. However, he has only a small window and a less of a stellar chance to save this one. Burnley on the other hand has bought a talented striker and know what they are in for. They have a seasoned coach and manager in Sean Dyche. So, even if they are one point behind Everton. No one should underestimate Burnley and their sudden ability to get points. We have seen that before and no one should be in shock and awe in 2022.

That’s why I have a hard time believing in Everton now. Not because I want Everton anything ill. However, their current form and the mediocre display isn’t sufficient in the times ahead. Neither is the misfits and lack of profiling of players recruited over the last few seasons. As the leftover squad players of other teams in combination with former wonder-boys are not making it a strong outing.

Lampard is a gamble and risk to hire himself. He has not a long stint as a manager anywhere. Neither did he succeed in the second second and Tuchel has galvanized the same squad after his sacking in Chelsea. Therefore, Lampard has to suddenly turn this mediocre squad into winners and he got no time.

He needs to get Calvert-Lewin energized, Rondon to become a steady force on top, Dele Ali inspired and creative again, Andros Townsend active, Fabian Delph into a wall, Seamus Coleman into a running riot and make Jordan Pickford into a superior goalie. This is just something he needs to do. Everton needs their vital players in amazing form and in great spirit.

Alas, in the last 10 matches in the league they have only one victory and one draw. The rest is losses. Also in addition to that, in the league, the club haven’t scored goals since 12th February. That is close to a month without a goal and only conceding. The next two matches will be very important to grab, as the opponents are Wolverhampton and Newcastle at home. If there is anything to go by, these might be the last straw for the club this season.

Because after this… Everton is meeting West Ham, Manchester United, Crystal Palace, Liverpool, Chelsea, Leicester, Brentford and Arsenal. It is not like the club has an easy ending of the season. It is meeting contenders for the top spots of the league. They are also meeting mid-level teams that can beat anyone at any given time, which is far from walkovers. The only team that is open and a team the club has won over earlier in the season is Brentford. Therefore, the final games are coming up at a rapid speed. There will be nothing easy here and Lampard has to prove his worth.

That Lampard is part of it now. He got to prove that his name is worthy. Frank Lampard has to push and ensure safety. In a battle against relegation. A battle he has never been in as a manager and neither with a squad like this either. This is why his novice ways might be useful or become it’s curse. As he don’t know what buttons or what strategies to tactically get them out of the quagmire. Its not like he knows to build a steady defence or parking the bus. He has to become a great manager and with barely enough experience. It is not his a Allerdyce or Everton’s own Mike Walker.

Everton is maybe in a similar season as 1993/1994 when the club had to fight on the last day of the league to stay up and only survived because Sheffield United lost. The great escape under the reigns of Mike Walker. Now, Frank Lampard maybe have to pull of a similar feat on the final day. If not he has to get the vital points against Brentford. Because, the Premier League is a tight race and in the relegation battle. Every point matters and the matches Everton has isn’t leaving much to chance. If there is any… the points has to be taken in the coming one and with this form. It seems hard to impossible. As the goals are not there and luck isn’t either.

When he took the job in the end of 30th January 2022, I said Lampard had an unforgiving job. However, it has only gotten worse and lack of results is detrimental now. They are not even close to mid-level or get mid-league into safety. No, they are at the bottom and just lucky they are not into direct relegation zone. Just one point above and 11 matches to go. None of these are certain points or walkovers.

That’s why Lampard to sprinkle some magic dust and be able to inspire his recruits, misfits and outcast into world-class. I hope to see it coming. Everton going down would be a sad day for the Premier League, but that is a result of mismanagement over the years. Wild spending on wild-cards and not proper recruitment of players. Neither steady sports management or having managers who build a squad. Therefore…

Lampard now has to throw the dice and hope to get six eyes. That is his risk and his gamble. Now, we have to see how he carries this in the weeks ahead. Peace.

Ethiopia: Oromo Liberation Front (OLF) – OLF Considers the March 8 International Women’s Day as a significant Historcal Event and denonunce the Human Rights violations against Women in Ethiopia (08.03.2022)

South Sudan: OCHA – Abyei clashes – Flash Update No. 2 (09.03.2022)