Omoro County By-Election: Bobi Wine and the NUP Campaign Team arrested

Tonight, as the violent and brutal arrests of National Unity Platform supporters have been occurring in Omoro County ahead of the By-Elections there on the 26th May 2022. There are several of other reports of which shows the fierce force of the authorities in the area.

As the road-blocks and checkpoints are put up to stifle any movement or any sort of possibly public outcry of the residents there. There is reports that the NUP Campaign Team has all been arrested. This includes Robert Kyagulanyi aka Bobi Wine, as well as Noah Mutwe, Maush and others too. That is happening as they were campaigning for the NUP flag-bearer Simon Toolit.

The Special Forces Command (SFC) of the Uganda People’s Defence Force (UPDF) is said to be deployed and using force today. These are the ones that is behind the arrests and taking them to unknown locations. This is similar to what happened in the Arua By-Election of 2018.

Now it is repeating itself and the arrests are occurring before the polls. Even before the NUP is able to canvass and campaign whole-heartedly in the county. That shows what the state is willing to do and how it uses it’s resources to stay in power. As they are fighting for the Son of Jacob to “win” this election.

Bobi Wine is reported to be under military supervision after the arrest hours ago. We don’t know where and with what charges, but everything is up for grabs here. Over the weekend everything will become clear. As we will here the UPDF drop a statement and the UPF as well. That is just happening whether we like it or not.

Alas, this just shows that the NRM doesn’t believe in their own candidates and own political platform. When they have to arrest the opposition and use military force to stop them from campaigning. That’s because the NRM and the army fears to lose even more influence in the Parliament. Even if it just a means to regain a seat the NRM already had.

A By-Election shouldn’t be bloody, vicious and need the usage of brutal force like this. However, this is the only way the NRM knows how to win and it shows. The Son of Jacob should feel weak and be praying to the Gods that the almighty forgives them. Because, his campaign is the reason for other people’s plights. The authorities are doing this on his behalf and he should remember that. Peace.

Omoro County By-Election: The Son of Jacob will only win by force and not by “winning hearts”

It is only 5 days to the polls in the Omoro County By-Election, which is scheduled for the 26th May 2022. The campaigns will last to the 24th May 2022. However, things are already spiralling out and the price of the politics is clear.

The National Resistance Movement (NRM) are acting like everything is going after normal programming, as they are campaigning to retain the seat in Parliament and get the son of the late speaker, Andrew Ojok Oulanyah elected. However, that couldn’t be harder from the truth.

The Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) had to change their candidate in the last minute before registration, because the NRM had bribed their candidate and instead nominated Justine Odong. Therefore, from the on-set the NRM is using all means to win.

Just like today it’s reports of beating up and direct arrests of National Unity Platform (NUP) supporters in the county. There is also reports of checkpoints and authorities putting up road-blocks in the area too. So, like before… the state is making an election into a war-zone to ensure total victory.

There is reports that the Special Forces Command (SFC), which is a part of the Uganda People’s Liberation Force (UPDF) that is behind the brutal arrests and detaining the opposition members in the county. So, if he NRM believed this was a certain win and a walk-over. They wouldn’t need to do this…

As NRM Secretary General Richard Todwong was earlier in the day proclaiming that they had turned about a 100 NUP Members in Omoro County into NRM. Nevertheless, that is just the ordinary propaganda and most like a photo-op to sincere. As this is a way of people getting free t-shirts and possibly a cash-donation to “vote” for the NRM. So, yet another grand scheme.. because the real supporters of the opposition is meeting a blunt force. Not smiles and greetings from the comrades of the likes of Todwong.

If Andrew Ajok Oulanyah thinks his campaign is solid and great. He should have asked the authorities to not use these means. Because, this is just showing that the barrel of the gun and the use of violence is what the NRM needs to get votes. The NRM needs the blunt force to beat people into submission. Not because of a manifesto or a political programme.

That is the message the NRM is sending here. As they are targeting the opposition. While sparing no concern or mind for their own campaigns. It is all smiles and joy for Oulanyah, but I can tell you. There are plenty others who suffers. This campaign isn’t friendly, free or fair.

There is one campaign for the NRM and another for the rest. That isn’t just and the world needs to know.

The Son of Jacob isn’t winning because of his charisma, character or political promises. No, if his winning… its because of how the government and the authorities targets everyone else who dares to challenge him. Peace.

Ethiopia: The Federal Government is cracking down on all critical media…

The latest arrest is now Meskerem Abera, the journalist who has also just been abducted at Addis Abeba airport earlier today on the 21st May 2022. She is following a long line of government critics who has been apprehended, arrested and taken to unknown location. In addition to that, another kidnapping and arrest is of Tadious Tantu as well. Who has been gone missing since yesterday.

This is a grand scale of going after anyone who isn’t following the Federal Government line in the media. That is very obvious, because this a broad-net of journalists taken into custody over the last 48 hours.

Here is some brief reports of others arrested as well.

The Amhara region based Ashara media outlet announced that police arrested 5 of its staff last night & that it cannot establish their whereabouts today. The five are Kelemu Gelagay, Daniel Mesfin (editors/cameramen), Gashaye Negussie, Getnet Yalew, Habtamu Melese (reporters)” (Zecharias Zelalem, 20.05.2022).

News has just broken that Solomon Shumiye current affairs talk show host with a decent following on the Gebeyanu YouTube channel, has just been taken into police custody. We’re at about 10 media staffers detained across Ethiopia in just the past 24 hours” (Zecharias Zelalem, 20.05.2022).

Earlier in the month another arrest was also done:

Journalist Gobeze Sisay accused Ethiopia Government of crackdown on dissent media

Gobeze says his arrest is similar to the Tamerat Negera case, where Oromia police censor media, claiming “Oromophobia”

Tamera is #Oromo but opposes ethnic-federalism policy of Abiy’s OPP” (Awasa Guardian, 10.05.2022).

We can easily see that this is deliberate acts of silencing everyone and only get out the message of the state. A way of taking away anyone who speaks, thinks or even considers to question Prime Minster Abiy Ahmed Ali and his Prosperity Party. His party and Federal Government is aiming at anyone who blinks their eyes twice and thinks about questioning his actions.

That’s why these mass-arrests are happening. The sudden kidnappings of journalists, activists, civic leaders and advocates are targeted as well. This is all deliberated and by taking out the journalists the media will not report on it and neither will there be a media who questions these violations of people’s rights.

The PM and his party can rule with their tyranny, as there is no voices of reason. There is only incarceration and detention of anyone who dissent. The government is certainly showing it’s vicious side and instead of settling grievances with words. They are instead using it’s authority to silence it’s critics. That is not a shocker, as unity is spread to the sound of guns and ammo. Therefore, it follows a pattern of violence as a means of solidifying power. Peace.

Ethiopia: The Amhara Regional Government warns of a new Tigrayan invasion…

The only way towards a peaceful and prosperous Ethiopia is to uphold the rule of law! The federal government of Ethiopia, with the regional governments, is undertaking integrated measures to ensure peace and security throughout the country” (FDRE Government Communication Service, 20.05.2022).

In Bahir Dar or in the Amhara Regional Government they have followed the message of Federal Government. They have a day later from the FDRE tweet in a Press Release showed their allegiance to this goal and by their own means. They are also taking it further and persistent in their vilification of Tigray People’s Defence Force (TPLF).

The leadership of Bahir Dar is by these messages claiming dissidents and people who is vocal in the streets are associated with the enemies. This is just showing what sort of “democracy” that is at play. The “rule of law” is used to stifle, stop and silence any critics whatsoever.

The Amhara Regional Government is very clear and their aims is as follows…

After the Amhara Regional Security Council has deeply reviewed the peace and security situation of the region, it is important to prepare to defend the threat of invasion of the terrorist TPLF and to correct the illegal activities that undermine the unity of the region” (Amhara Communication, 21.05.2022).

While this law is being made to ensure peace and security of our people, our region and our country, some social media owners and individuals who are working to destroy our region and country by collaborating with our main enemies are conducting campaigns in some areas of our region to call for demonstrations and to hinder the peace. But in any area of our region there is no one who has asked a legal question or got a license. The peace and security bureau of the region is working together with our peace loving people to complete the law enforcement work in a short time and with minimal damage, such illegal demonstrations and street performances are unacceptable. It is announced that law enforcement will be taking necessary measures on any actions that are done to obstruct the work of the law because of the demonstration” (Amhara Communication, 21.05.2022).

The Amhara Regional Government is clear in their mission. In another released statement on Amhara Communications Page today. They stated that the Amhara Regional Special Force and Amhara Para-Military Group “Fano” is participating in the joint operation to “ensure rule of law”. Therefore, everyone should know that these entities are prepared and ready to use violence in the hand of the state.

The Amhara Regional Government by this is calling arms and using the same means of which the Federal Government did when they invaded the Tigray region in November 2020. They are using the “rule of law” because everyone should remember it was called “Law Enforcement Operation” before the latest edition was dubbed the “Survival Campaign” in 2021. So, the same language is appearing now.

This is showing what is at stake and what sort of plan that is there. We know the Amhara Regional government and their militias has been vital in the Tigray war. They have been parts of the coalition invading Tigray and been sponsors of it too. The Amhara regional government had planned the invasion and put the mechanical divisions around the borders. They had encircled the region and done the preparation, as the tripartite alliance was scheming to start the war in November 2020.

Therefore, reading these sorts of text shows what is happening. And it doesn’t help that a FDRE Government Communication Service Press Release yesterday says this:

In all regions, our people are fighting against the forces that want to implement the agenda of chaos and chaos. By giving different names, the government has confirmed that there are forces that are trying to distort the government’s actions. The terrorist TPLF and its friends are expressing their support to the illegal groups that are trying to create chaos and chaos especially those that try to hinder the law enforcement work in Amhara region. This shows us that these groups, especially the robbers that trade in the name of Fano, are historical enemies of Ethiopia and their ambassadors who have committed great betrayal on our people. The government asks all our people to understand this evil conspiracy and support the government’s actions. It calls on the government to continue to support the rule of law by not giving attention to false information and misleading messages” (FDRE Government Communication Services – ‘The only solution to ensure the peace and security of the citizens and the continuity of the country is to ensure the rule of law!’ 20.05.2022).

So, the same sort of rhetoric is at play from the Federal Government, which is used in Amhara. That’s why this is a strategic and a way of putting it into the minds that there are people planning to create acts of terror and with that its justified to address that with fierce and rogue laws. This is the initial gist from the Federal Government and the Amhara Regional Government as well.

The Amhara Regional Government takes it even further. As they don’t only calls for a possible infiltration like the Federal Government does, but also calls for a possible new invasion. That is really calling for arms. Another “rule of law” operation is called for and it’s joint forces which are doing it too.

We are in 2022 and the Regional Government and Federal Government is using the means to an end. They are speaking the same language, but also very clear in the tone. There is no middle-ground or places of solitude. No, only a stern warning of an invasion and a possible retaliation from their government allies. Peace.

Burkina Faso: Forces Armees E.M.G.A. – Communique de Presse (21.05.2022)

Ghana: National Health Students’ Association of Ghana (NAHSAG) – Government must take Responsibility to solve Brain Drain in the Health Sector from its Root Cause – Health Must be Holistic (21.05.2022)

Guinee: Comite National Rassemblement pour le Developpement (CNRD) – Communique No. 013 (19.05.2022)

Syria: National Coalition of Syrian Revolution and Opposition Forces – Syrian Opposition Coalition – Syria’s Security & Regional Stability Hinge on Assad regime & Allies’ Defeat (20.05.2022)

United Nations – Central Emergency Response Fund (UN – CERF): 18 million people in the Sahel face severe hunger over the next three months (20.05.2022)

Ethiopia: Global Society of Tigray Scholars and Professionals (GSTS) – Continued Threat Posed by the Eritrean Regime to Peace Initiative in Ethiopia (20.05.2022)