Ethiopia: Ogaden National Liberation Front (ONLF) – Condemning Alshabab Attack of Somali State Areas bordering Bakool Region of Somalia (21.07.2022)

RDC: Assemble Nationale – Communique Officiel No. 27 (21.07.2022)

RDC: Kamasa Ndakize Welcome – Porte Parole du Groupe d’Autodefense Civile Twiraneho – Objet: Cri d’alarme contre une operation militaire inopportune envers le groupe d’Autodefense civile Twirwaneho (21.07.2022)

Sudan: Forces of Freedom and Change – A press statement about the meeting of Sudanese activities to contain the difficult social situation (21.07.2022)

Yesterday evening, Wednesday, July 20, 2022, a number of Sudanese activists met at the invitation of the Forces of Freedom and Change, at the Nation House, in order to discuss the redress of the crisis social situation, containing the repercussions of the unfortunate events that took place in the Blue Nile region, strengthening joint cooperation in addressing the current situation, and putting in place the necessary societal measures to besiege tribal strife, and consolidate the values of peaceful coexistence.

A number of representatives of Sudanese activities, including political forces, civil society organizations, religious entities, the native administration, resistance committees, women’s groups and professional groupings, participated in the meeting. And athletes, intellectuals, doctors, lawyers, university professors, media professionals and influential figures in society.

The participants stressed the importance of unifying all efforts and initiatives that work to relieve our people in the Blue Nile, alleviate the suffering of the victims, and strive to restore normal life. It will communicate with all initiatives to coordinate humanitarian and social work.

The participants indicated that the fueling of tribal violence in all parts of the country is a product of the policies of the defunct regime during the past thirty years, and many participants indicated that these events erupted due to the continuation of the putschists. In the same approach that fuels tribal strife and spreads hate speech, racism and racial and ethnic mobilization to achieve political goals aimed at striking the holdings of national unity and breaking up the bonds of Sudanese society.

The participants stressed the need to preserve the inherited factors of Sudanese society cohesion, by reviving the well-established values, customs and traditions of society such as tolerance, coexistence, cooperation, reconciliation and acceptance of the other, rejecting the factors of division, fighting and hateful fanaticism, the rule of law and the adoption of peaceful ways to obtain rights, and achieve social justice.

The participants addressed the causes of the recent Blue Nile events, which are inseparable from what happened in Darfur, the east, the center, the north and the new south, which are due to tribal mobilization, the politicization of indigenous administrations, and the use of tribes in the struggle for power, and the spread of hate speech, racism and extremism, lack of development, conflict over resources, and inciting regional strife.

The participants stood on the repercussions of the unfortunate events in the Blue Nile, which left dozens of dead and wounded, displaced hundreds of families, and great material and moral losses, in extremely difficult humanitarian conditions, in light of a great shortage of basic needs such as treatment, shelter, food, clothing and security, in addition to the shocking health and psychological conditions.

The participants stressed the urgent intervention to confront and contain the outbreak of the social situation in the Blue Nile, so that the scope of tribal strife does not expand in other expected areas, and all components of Sudanese society must bear their responsibility now before tomorrow, the most important urgent interventions:

1. Separating the parties to the conflict, providing security for civilians, preventing renewed fighting, and collecting weapons.

2. Establishment of shelter camps and provision of all basic services from the competent government authorities.

3. Conducting a thorough and transparent investigation into the recent events, to determine their actual causes and those behind them.

4. Mobilizing the popular effort, for all Sudanese in all states, by launching in-kind and material donation campaigns.

5. Appealing to all national, regional and international organizations to provide urgent humanitarian assistance.

6. Providing hospitals with basic needs, and establishing emergency health emergency rooms.

7. Facilitate the flow of aid, and open the region to organizations to carry out their humanitarian duty.

8. Stop negative media, and launch media campaigns against hate speech and racism.

9. Upholding the role of religious entities in defusing strife, and communicating with their leaders in these areas by showing the spirit of religion in brotherhood and coexistence, warning against the consequences of murder and violence, and dedicating Friday sermons to coexistence.

10. The Native Administration moves, under its responsibility, to mediate (judism) between the parties to the conflict, to conduct reconciliation and address the matter under dispute and fighting.

11. Forming a national mechanism from all initiatives for joint action to contain the crisis social situation.

12. Sending a national delegation comprising all components of Sudanese society to the Blue Nile region to provide the necessary assistance, to contribute to the improvement of the social fabric, and to show solidarity with the victims.

Forces of Freedom and Change – Media Committee

Tuesday, July 21, 2022 AD

Opinion: Should we fear Mao as a Minister?

My father taught me many things here – he taught me in this room. He taught me: keep your friends close, but your enemies closer” – Michael Corleone (Godfather II, 19744).

The day after Democratic Party President Norbert Mao signed a cooperation agreement with the National Resistance Movement (NRM). It has been announced that his been appointed to the become the Minister of Justice and Constitutional Affairs. This means that Prof. Ephraim Kamuntu is demoted because of this trade-off.

I’m not worried about Kamuntu… he will find a plumb-job and that’s because the President favours his sort of kind. The blind loyalty to the throne and accepting the duties, which the President sees him fit. Now the bigger question is what Mao plans to or intends to do as a Minister of Justice and Constitutional Affairs.

Mao can push forward with constitutional changes, which could easily be amendments to the rights of land. The newly minted minister could force changes that the President wants with Mailo-land and appease the abilities to expropriation of land or speed up “development projects” or “investor-friendly” enterprises.

The other important aspect like in the previous Parliament is the government system and laws surrounding the current President. In the 10th Parliament the MPs abolished the Age limit in the Constitution. Ensuring the longevity of the presidency and legalize the continuation of Museveni on the throne.

Mao could push for the constitutional amendments that makes the Parliament able to elect the President. Where the MPs will elect the President instead of by the universal suffrage. This would change the electoral laws and the parliamentary system. Which would be similar to United Kingdom where the MPs are electing the Prime Minister, the head of state there. However, we are not sure about this.

We don’t know if Mao will accept the changes of the Constitution so that the MPs and the majority of the Parliament can elect or appoint the Inspector General of Police (IGP). That’s also been tabled private bill and we can wonder if this is even feasible.

Certainly, there are rumours that Mao will work to deregister and ensure the demise of the National Unity Platform (NUP). That is not yet clear, but the rumours are worrying and we know that the gig of targeting the NUP has paid-off for the Chairman already. Therefore, thing are bound to happen and it is just a matter of time.

We know the likes of Mao wants to prove himself. His an unelected minion of Museveni now. Mao will do like Beti Kamya did in the Ministry of Kampala. That’s what we should expect, because he wants to show he was worth it and is a guy of the President.

He will turn into one the most loyal subjects of the President. The sort of crony and associate we have never seen. This man will go head over heals to defend the government and it’s ills. He won’t mind to attack and use the law for personal gains. His selling the party he represents and his own career over a high ranking office. When you are willing to do that for personal gains. You know the man will easily do whatever he can to serve his new master. Peace.

Mali: Cadre d’Echange des Partis et Regroupements Politiques pour une Transition Reussie – Declaration No. 004 sur la Declaration du Premier Ministre Chef du Gouvernement de la Transition (21.07.2022)

Tchad: Commission Nationale des Droits de l’Homme (CNDH) – Communique de Presse No. 05 (20.07.2022)

Mali: Yelema – Communique sur les Recentes Declarations du Premier Ministre de Transition, Chef du Gouvernement (21.07.2022)

Opinion: Mao is officially Museveni’s minion

The agreement between the Democratic Party (DP) and National Resistance Movement (NRM) yesterday has in some regards made DP Party President Norbert Mao the underling of the Head of State and the Chairman of NRM Yoweri Tibuhurwa Kaguta Museveni. Mao might not like that, because he might find the solution and the compromise reasonable. However, his quest and his journey is now ending in a culprit of the state.

Mao cannot say his not bound by it. The DP will be a significant partner of the ruling regime. Just like the Uganda Peoples Congress (UPC) has been since they signed a secret agreement in 2016. Both parties are no silent partners and trading off their integrity and possible options to get some favourable terms or perks from the NRM. That’s really it.

We know that Mao will act like he has won a price or become a bigshot. That’s only in his mind. He maybe gets a renewed title and a office. Heck, the party gets to continue to have Mbidde in the EALA. However, the party isn’t getting anymore action or traction for that matter. No, its just another hallow shell of its former self.

Chairman Mao can act supreme and use big words on NBS Frontline, but his game is rigged. There is no way he can reassure or ensure longevity now. The DP has already looked lack-lustre and the ones that fled did so wisely. The did leave the DP before it got totally compromised. The DP will now be a division of the NRM. They have signed off and ensured that with the agreement.

Mao will ensure that he is favoured and get pleasant gifts from the State House. The man who is now a softspoken ally of the President. There is no way he will defy or even stand up to him. No, he will kiss the ring and be the loyal servant that Yoweri always wished to have. He got that from Jimmy and now Norbert follows.

The man who has been the DP President for ages, who hasn’t been able to show political finesse for a while. A man who has burned all the bridges politically in the opposition. He had only one way left and that was to beg for mercy. Which he apparently did, but by doing so… his just another crony and another figurine in the cabinet of sold-out politicians to Museveni.

Museveni got a bargain. It is not a coalition agreement, but a cooperation agreement. Which means that the DP is compromised, but not finalized. His pushing the blood out and letting it blead out in public. There is no way the DP can survive the onslaught in a long run. The party would lose its edge if it had any left…

Norbert Mao has now ensured this, and he will be remembered for it. He will not be favoured or be remembered kindly for doing so. The government he traded the party with is doing what it can to silence and go after its critics. That’s why you know this deal is shady and will be sign of oblivion for his party.

The DP will not get any stronger or competitive. It will instead be more stagnate and lack charisma on the way forward. Because it cannot be a viable party when they are involved in the day-to-day politics of the NRM. That’s because the deal is signing of vital parts of the game, and they have to be loyal to the same cause.

Mao isn’t brave… and he has become Museveni’s fool now. Oh gee, the mighty have fallen… Peace.

Malawi: Pan African Civic Education Network (PACENT) – We demand immediate and unconditional release from Police Custody of the arrested Peaceful Demonstrators (20.07.2022)