The Azimio fall-out!

UPDATE: Raphael Tuju claims parties purporting to withdraw from Azimio had already started negotiations with DP Ruto even before putting demands for a copy of the Azimio agreement, says they are dishonest” (Meru FM, 09.05.2022)

Today it’s official a free-fall of parties leaving the Azimio La Umoja – One Kenya Alliance as the meetings and interviews for the running mate or Deputy Presidential Candidate is getting handled by the alliance. We knew that would be vital and game-changer for the alliance.

Azimio has already had a hectic time with all the parties and how they have been co-ordinated together. As there been levels of who has influence and sway within the alliance. That’s why these things are happening now. However, it worrying for the remaining parties, as the alliance are showing how fragile it is.

While two parties aren’t big, but Wiper Democratic Movement (WDM) is the third biggest party to leave and seek to leave the alliance.

So it’s officially that these are leaving:

Pamoja African Alliance (PAA) party led by Kilifi Governor Amason Kingi, Maendeleo Chap Chap (MCC) party led by Machakos Governor Alfred Mutua and Wiper Democratic Movement (WDM) leader Stephen Kalonzo Musyoka.

That these parties are leaving the alliance will either join the campaign of Deputy President William Ruto and his Kenya Kwanza Alliance (KKA). We know that the MCC has already joined there and we don’t know what the PAA is doing. Neither what is the plan of the WDM. However, this is showing how fragile and weak the Azimio is built.

WDM is the biggest party of the OKA, which was left when it joined Azimio. The other parties of OKA had already gone to KKA. So, it seems like Kalonzo might join with fellow NASA Co-Principals there now.

We knew that Mutua tried to get more influence with Mpuya Caucus within Azimio and now he has left that one behind as well. It is really weird and shows the lack of long term strategy of these parties.

The PAA, MCC and WDM could have opportunities ahead of itself in the Azimio. While that might cost now and they are not getting their way now. However, the ODM and Jubilee can only take things so far. Neither can they do it without all of the broad-based allies across the Republic. That’s what is striking about the Azimio alliance in the first place.

Now, when these three are leaving or have left Azimio. The OKA part of the Azimio is also inflated with NARC-Kenya and KANU. While the rest is based around ODM and Jubilee. The other parties are smaller and regional. That’s why the MCC and PAA could be vital in their areas too. Alas, they have not fled the alliance.

It isn’t getting better, but surely the coalitions is getting ironed out. As the Jubilee Secretary General Tuju even claims they were negotiating with both at the same time. If that is true… than the parties been dishonest, but the Azimio has been a closed and done things very internally. Maybe some felt left out or not taken into consideration. That’s why they have reacted this way.

However, the importance of this is clear. That Kalonzo’s journey to Azimio was already hectic and him leaving shows there was problems before he even settled. We know that Kalonzo had set his sights on being the running mate. Now we don’t know what is ahead or if he will be running together with Ruto.

We know MCC and PAA will only be sidekicks in KKA. Just like they were in Azimio. They will not be the big-shots, but be a proud asset to take away from Azimio. That is scoring some political points, but not actually winning the game. This is to early to call and to close to call right now. Even if people are claiming Baba the Fifth a long time ago.

Azimio needs to handle these fall-outs and co-ordinate with the remaining parties. Ensure they feel included and parts of the coalition. They cannot just mix between ODM and Jubilee. It needs to be broader and the net needs to be thrown to be able to catch everyone in the net. However, we are seeing a massive fallout and it’s not looking good.

KKA might celebrate, but that’s a bit early too. They have gotten a few or possible gotten Kalonzo. However, in the end… it’s just another CORD/NASA without Odinga. Who knows if these Co-Principals can make a difference this time around. Nevertheless, this does not look good and that’s clear. Peace.

Kenya: Maendelo Chap Chap Party – Maendeleo Chap Chap Party’s Resolution on Joining Coalitions (09.05.2022)

Ethiopia: Tigray External Affairs Office – Statement on the Amhara Authorities’ Persistent, Reprehensible Destruction of Forensic Evidence (08.05.2022)

Philippines: LENTE – LENTE observes long queues, technical and non-technical issues, and unlawful electioneering as the 2022 National and Local Elections open (09.05.2022)

Philippines: National Citizens’ Movement for Free Elections (NAMFREL) – NAMFREL releases preliminary observations on the 2022 National and Local Elections (09.05.2022)

Opinion: Jack Harlow isn’t for me…

Kentucky’s own Jack Harlow might break someone’s heart, but I don’t care for his style or his music. By all means, good that his hitting up them charts and becoming a staple in the music industry. However, after listening to “nail tech” and saw the huge hype surrounding it. I knew that this guy, act or rapper wasn’t for me.

Jack Harlow fan-base is maybe female dominated and that wouldn’t be shocking. Nevertheless, if he showed some emotions and heartache. Both genders would listen to the tracks. If he had solid beats and rhymes to back it up. We wouldn’t mind the softer side like LL Cool J did in the past. He catered to all parties on his LPs.

However, what I have heard from Jack Harlow haven’t been it. I just don’t care. The singles and the videos isn’t even inspiring to listen to the newest full length album of him. I couldn’t care less that he has been in the past signed to Don Canon and DJ Drama. They surely must have picked up the bag and earned a fortune on the act. Because, he has blown up.

Come Home the Kids Miss You” was maybe supposed to cement his status in the public eye. Maybe get new fans and show his levels of popularity. That’s why he has tried to snag and create headlines while simping for famous woman. Even doing that with a song to Dua Lipa on the LP as well. When we know that his been around the way and it’s not shocking.

That people compares him to Macklemore and Mac Miller is to be expected, but his not even close to any of them. Just by listening to “Nail Tech” and “First Class” his subpar and mid at best. His not a lyricists or a man of bars. No, his just mediocre and not that interesting. He has a style and been able to cater to someone, but not to the likes of me. I am not alone, as Shawn Cee and Cufboys on Youtube makes similar statements as mine.

Jack Harlow has potential and could become an inspiring fella, but at this very moment. His just mediocre and boring. The singles are not banging and that’s why I don’t even care to pick up the LP. There is no reason or incentive to do so.

I am just not the demographic his trying to hit or trying to convince. That’s why his hitting up the red-carpet trying to snatch Saweetie and other famous acts. Because, that’s how he becomes more interesting. Well, he cannot drop bars or be funny about it. He has little to no visible charisma or swagger. That’s why it’s astonishing to see him get this big. Unless, the fan-base wants a water-downed and less flavourful Post Malone minus autotune. That sort of thing makes sense.

When Spotify writes this about him: “Flaunting sleek flows, nimble wordplay, unpredictable rhyme patterns and vast ambition, Jack Harlow raps with old school dedication and raw individuality”. I wonder if these guys actually did listen to the same dude I did, because even Shawty Lo or Maino has more inspiring flows than Jack Harlow.

Jack Harlow can have all the success or platinum plaques he wants. Be my guest, but I won’t be part of the parade. No, his a water-downed Drake and has no sort of story-telling abilities worth a damn. Neither does he has the personality or the lyrics to bring me up to speed. There is no story, no beat or no vibe that catches me of guard. It is just “hot-air” and catered to radio. That’s maybe enough for some…

But for me… well… Jack… I will not come back. Peace.

Ukraine: Statement by Amin Awad, Assistant Secretary-General and United Nations Crisis Coordinator for Ukraine (8 May 2022)

Ukraine: Statement by the Humanitarian Coordinator for Ukraine, Osnat Lubrani, on the evacuations from Azovstal and Mariupol (8 May 2022)

Burkina Faso: Ministere de la Justice et des Droits Humains, Charge des Relations avec les Institutions – Communique de Presse No. 33 (08.05.2022)

Sudan: Forces of Freedom and Change – Executive Office – A statement reviewing the vision on the political process (08.05.2022)

The Executive Office of the Forces of Freedom and Change held an emergency meeting at noon on Sunday, May 8, 2022 AD, during which it discussed its vision on the political process under the auspices of the tripartite mechanism, which came to the following:

First: The Executive Office of the Forces of Freedom and Change denounces and condemns the escalating violence against the mass movement, and it works with all the forces of the revolution and places the issue of detainees, including members, members and leaders of the resistance committees, at the forefront of its internal and external agenda, to release them and end arbitrary and exceptional detention.

The Executive Office also saluted the female lawyers, honorable lawyers and emergency lawyers for their tireless work in following up the procedures of the detainees and working for their release.

Second: We affirm our commitment and our positive interaction with the political process, which we believe must be conducted before the eyes of our people and all the forces of the revolution. In complete transparency with those who made sacrifices and martyrs.

Third: Measures to create the atmosphere must be put into practice, which creates a new atmosphere free of violence and arrests, with a commitment to protecting civilians, and enables the mass movement to participate in the political process in a free and peaceful environment.

Fourth: Any political process under the auspices of the tripartite mechanism must lead to the realization of the demands of the revolutionary forces to end the coup and form a full civil authority, to achieve the revolution’s goals of freedom, peace and justice.

Fifth: A committee was formed to formulate a detailed position on freedom and change from the political process, based on the political vision approved by the Central Council in January 2022 AD, which was submitted to the initiative of the United Nations Mission to Support the Democratic Transition (UNAMS) on January 16 and February 8, 2022 AD, the position will be presented and approved by the Central Council of the Forces of Freedom and Change and announced to the masses of the Sudanese people and the forces of the revolution.

Sixth: The Executive Office directed to continue building the united civil front to defeat the coup, which includes all the forces of the revolution, which will work with the forces of the revolution to win the will of our people and restore the path of civil democratic transition.

Long live our people free and victorious

Executive Office of the Forces of Freedom and Change

Sunday May 8, 2022 AD