Ethiopia: Oromo Liberation Front/Army (OLF/A) – Amhara Forces Renewed Attacks Against Wollo Oromo Community (11.07.2022)

Mali: Communique No. 034 du Gouvernement de la Transition (11.07.2022)

Ethiopia: 20 million people are facing food insecurity and 13 million of them is in the Northern Ethiopia

Over 20 million people are estimated to be food insecure in the country, including an estimated 13 million people northern Ethiopia” (OCHA, 07.07.2022).

Things are dire in Ethiopia. Several of regions and zones are in dire need of humanitarian assistance. This being in Ogaden (Somali), Southern Nations Nationalities and Peoples’ Region (SNNP), South-West, Afar, Amhara and Tigray regions. This really in nearly all corners of the Republic.

The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) has been reporting about the situation for so long. However, now it’s not only dropping knowledge on the Northern regions where the conflict has been going on since November 2020. The state has created a man-made-famine in Tigray. As the conflict and besieged region is really hit. That’s why the 13 million people of the 20 million lacking food security is from there.

OCHA reports further:

The drought impact has worsened and expanded over the last few months. At least 8.1 million people are estimated to be affected across Somali (3.5 million), Oromia (3.4 million), SNNP (1.1 million) and South-West (200,000 people) regions, including more than 7 million people requiring food assistance, and more than 4 million people needing water assistance. At least 334,000 drought affected people who have the means to travel have also migrated since October last year, leaving behind their elderly and the sick family members. These numbers are expected to be revised upwards once assessments of additional areas affected by the drought are completed, particularly in Afar, which will be included in the new iteration of the Drought Response Plan” (OCHA, 07.07.2022).

Lack of funding has resulted in reduction of people targeted in some regions, distribution of an incomplete food basket, and applying rations cuts.

Lack of access has resulted in irregular food distributions in Western Oromia (East and West Wollega); Wag Hamra Zone in Amhara and Western Zone in Tigray” (OCHA, 07.07.2022).

This here is not going well for the UN organization and humanitarian organizations coming with aide. When OCHA is saying it lacks funding. As the amount of people needing food is rising. This is a negative spiral.

It isn’t the fault of the UN or the humanitarian organizations that this is happening. The Prosperity Party and the regime itself has created over time. The issues and lack of food security is out of many reasons. The drought is happening because of the climate and lack of rain, which you cannot fault the government for. However, the state is at fault for blocking humanitarian assistance and making it impossible to deliver the goods to the ones in need.

Another major factor is the insecurity and the warfare that is happening in the Republic. The use of armed forces and law enforcement is creating this. While there is a liberation forces working for their people and their regions. This is all creating the trouble and the lack of food security across the Republic.

Ethiopia is hurting. The Prime Minister and his government is clearly not up for speed. That’s because warfare matters more than helping or governing the people in need. Peace.

Burkina Faso: Forces Armees E.M.G.A. – Communique de Presse (10.07.2022)

Sudan: Old Omdurman Resistance Committees Coordination – Lifting of Old Omdurman Sit-in (11.07.2022)

Our victorious people:

We begin by congratulating our great people on the blessed Eid al-Adha; may God bring it back to our nation while it is under democratic civil rule and in a free and just homeland where we do not hear the sound of the gun.

This Eid arrives as all of our people are engaged in the battle of resistance against the military rule, and we offer each day a martyr to become one of the stars of freedom in the sky of our country. This is the battle in which our people employed a variety of tried and true methods of peaceful resistance, starting with processions and barricades and concluding with sit-ins in all the cities of Khartoum State after the great 30th of June march. Our sit-ins symbolized the reclaiming of the land and its liberation from the military, as the soldiers retreated in defeat before an unarmed people chanting for freedom, justice, and peace.

Our resistant people:

The sit-in in old Omdurman, extending from Al-Azhari Square to Wad Oro Stop, has accomplished a step on the path of struggle and the ongoing revolution project; It provided a safe space for discussion among the various forces of the revolution, and we were able to create dialogues that strengthened the ties between all components of the forces of the revolution, which serves our sacred goal of uniting all forces of the revolution. And now we announce the lifting of Old Omdurman sit-in, so that the military coup authority realizes that the sit-ins are weapons directed at them, and we return to it while we are more organized, united, and powerful, carrying with us the accumulation of revolutionary experience in the resistance and the lessons of the experience of these sit-ins politically and on the ground, until the day we permanently end the coup and overthrow its authority and restore the path of civil democratic transformation. We thank the residents and people of the neighborhoods around the sit-in, as well as the Sudanese who supported it.

Old Omdurman Resistance Committees Coordination

June 11, 2022

Karamoja: The sub-region is starving on empty promises…

Museveni promised that food insecurity in Karamoja would be dealt with by increasing fast maturing seedlings and an increase in relief by the Office of the Prime Minister. In a bid to build a self-sustaining household plan, the MPs proposed that the government avails agricultural inputs such as two tractors per constituency to facilitate agriculture on a large scale. The President however, disagreed with them saying that two tractors per constituency cannot support commercial agriculture. Museveni proposed that 5 tractors per constituency would be more plausible. He further challenged MPs to engage in large scale farming if they are to empower their communities and drive the country into middle income status. He promised to bring in experts to share in their best practices so that the members would get first hand information from them” (President Yoweri Museveni on Tuesday evening held a special meeting with MPs-elect from Northern and Karamoja region to discuss pertinent issues affecting social and economic transformation, 20.04.2021).

The Government has a Minister designated for Karamoja affairs and has around 17 MPs from the Karamoja Sub-Region. However, all of these representatives and people being in high office isn’t delivering anything.

The news of starvation and famine shouldn’t shock anyone. The warnings from FEWSNET and other monitoring bodies like FAO has stated this too. The President has called the Karamoja green and pleasant. Nevertheless, that is far from the truth.

We know that the army, the Uganda People’s Defence Force (UPDF) have been operating and causing friction. As it is extra judicial killing and kicking people out of their homes. They are deliberately evicting and making people into internally displaced people. So, that the places of which they are burning villages and killing civilians. Is scaring the farmers and the people tending the land from cultivating food. This is done under the banner of “Usalalama Kwa Wote” to stop cattle-rustlers but also ensure the territories of mineral riches gets to the right “investor”. Therefore, this insecurity with the forewarned lack of food security was doomed to cause havoc on the sub-region.

Karamoja has been bleeding and suffering as a consequence of the military actions. The Sub-Region hasn’t been invested in. There has been creations of districts and electoral gerrymandering. However, there is only one referral hospital in Moroto. There is no real changes and the UN organizations comes in with aide and salvation every time things are dire. The President and his government isn’t clearly invested or concerned about the starvation or hunger in Karamoja. If the state did… they have seen this issue returning again and again. People are dying and the local government bodies should do better. The Office of the Prime Minister and the State Minister for Karamoja Affairs lack funds or mental minds to put programs that can save lives. Since this is a reoccurring event. That’s what is tragic here…

What is tragic is that the hunger and starvation was warned by FEWSNET in April this year. Which stated this: “For many poor Karamoja households, below-average purchasing power will continue constraining access to food from market purchases. Around August/September, the start of harvesting in Karamoja is expected to support improved access to food from own consumption and income from crop sales and reduce the number of households facing consumption gaps, though Crisis (IPC Phase 3) outcomes are expected to persist at the area level even during the post-harvest period. Overall, widespread Crisis (IPC Phase 3) outcomes are now expected to persist through at least September, with worst-affected households facing Emergency (IPC Phase 4) outcomes” (FEWS NET, 06.04.2022).

We can sadly assess that the warnings of a IPC Phase 4 is now happening. The President promised already last year to secure food security for Karamoja sub-region. However, we easily that never happened. Now the World Food Programme and others has to cover the basics. They have to come with the food and the aide, because the state is a shortfall. Neither does it have the organization or institutions in order to help. The state has the army and the ability to kill civilians. However, it doesn’t have the ability to save lives or ensure food security. That is clear for anyone and is a sign of what is a priority in Kampala. As the Karamjoa sub-region isn’t only bleeding now, but starving as well. Peace.

Soroti East By-Election: Former FDC MP Versus FDC Flag-bearer

As you recall, I stood in the previous election on the platform of Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) party. However, on account of the irreconcilable differences in the party and the failure by my current party leadership to appreciate my contribution to the party, I shall NOT seek re-election on the ticket of the party (FDC)” (Herbert Ariko – Press Release, 05.08.2020).

The Soroti East By-Election scheduled for 28th July 2022 is setting itself up for grabs. The things that is striking isn’t that the National Unity Platform (NUP) has supported and not fielded their own candidate. They are actually acting in unified motion with the opposition. Which has been asked for it for ages. Now they are showing not only words but actions. Yes, their MP Flag-Bearer didn’t get votes, but instead of using energy on a candidate which doesn’t stand a chance. They are instead backing a Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) candidate. So, for a unified opposition their candidate is Moses Attan Okia.

Although we had very good potential candidates in Soroti, we are doing this in the broader interest of the unity of the Forces of Change. We believe that Hon. Attan legitimately won the previous election which was interrupted by a court decision. Therefore, we shall be supporting him, and rallying the people of Soroti to take him back to Parliament. We are stronger when we come together!” (National Unity Platform, 07.07.2022).

In that regard. The ruling regime has also switched their game up since the General Election in 2021. The National Resistance Movement are sending the same candidate, which they had as a flag-bearer in January 2021. No, they are sending the former FDC MP (2016-2021) and former Independent Candidate Herbert Edmund Ariko. We can rest assure that Jimmy Ekemu will feel shattered by this. Because, his been deliberately knocked out, because the party don’t believe in his candidacy anymore.

We know the NRM is investing in this campaign and will use all means to get there. When Secretary General Richard Todwong, Vice-Chairman of Eastern Region the party Captain Mike Mukula and Deputy Speaker Thomas Tayebwa are already in Soroti canvassing voters ahead of the polls.

What the general public can await is the Police Force and the army intervening. Since any By-Election of recent years looks like a war-zone close to the polls. With road-blocks, armed soldiers in the streets and public intimidation to ensure a “NRM” victory.

The Democratic Party is saying they will announce their candidate for the By-Election tomorrow. However, we all know the real game changer is between former FDC MP and the one trying to win the seat a second time the current FDC MP Attan. Therefore, the DP candidate will have as much popularity as the Uganda People’s Congress candidate in 2021. If not become as big as the outcast NRM flag-bearer. Because, I don’t believe they will suddenly have a wind of green coming their way.

It is a reason why Mukula was himself only an MP until 2016. Because, the FDC took over the city and got the mandates from the area. That’s why the NRM is fielding a former FDC candidate for a reason. A candidate that was close in the last polls as an independent. That is political bargaining.

Anyone else challenging the FDC is meeting hardship. Soroti and the region is very blue. It will be hard to muffle that. Nevertheless, don’t expect free and fair elections. No, the NRM can only win with bribes, intimidation and rigging. Which is very common and that’s what they are willing to do. So, expect the same in Soroti later this month. This will not be peaceful, as the state is coming with armed forces and vicious means to prove whose in-charge. Expect arrests of activists, polling agents and anyone associated with the FDC at the latter stage. Especially done at night and raiding of homes, of the registered polling agents and such. That is just what the state does and no one should be shocked by this in 2022. We have seen it’s happening so many times. This here will be no difference.

Soroti East By-Election will be like the previous by-elections. We should be aware and as we follows. Not act like we didn’t’ see it coming. Because this is what they do. Peace.

Guinee: Comite National Rassemblement pour le Developpement (CNRD) – Communique No. 016 (10.06.2022)

Opinion: Kagame has no intention of stepping down… and he never will.

The ones that thought the President of Rwanda, Paul Kagame would step would be naive at this point. His the sort of leader who took power with the guns, who lives by the gun and dies by the gun. There is really no reason or justification for him to step down or retire. Kagame is just the ordinary character who will die in office. There is no way he will secure a peaceful transition or a legit transfer of power.

Kagame has a stranglehold on the political landscape. The only way to possible topple him or takeover is by armed rebellion. That’s because any sort of critic is losing their businesses, licenses or even career. If you voice your opinion or is a legit opposition. You will either be arrested, charged with superficial charges and possible killed by an “accident” or by “default”. That is just the way the regime works.

The ones that is defending Kagame is doing it for all possible reasons of the development and his extraordinary ability to look like a statesman. However, his far from that. His a former military intelligence agent and worked together with Museveni directly in the Bush-War before getting help from the NRA to topple the regime in Kigali in 1994. Therefore, his whole career has been based around violence and he has pursuit that ever since.

Kagame has been parts of proxy wars in the Democratic Republic of Congo since the 1990s. He has been part of installing Laurent Kabila in office. The officials and military of Rwanda has since then used the provinces bordering to Rwanda as a way of looting and massacres for vast profits. That’s why rebellions and militias has been supported, trained and operated from Rwanda. This is well document and not just hearsay.

While Kagame wants everything to look perfect and sincere. There is a deeper and a sinister side. His the sort of man that bans satire and political cartoons. The sort of Demigod who walks among us and no one can utter a joke about him. People cannot discuss politics or state affairs on YouTube. Bloggers are taken out and so are government critics who are singers or anyone else.

So, when people are shocked that this man wants to run again and plans to run another 20 years. Well, Kagame and his kind will die in office. He will either die in a hospital in the West or Nairobi. If not he will be killed by an assassin. There is no way his retiring unless a general is able to sway him to step down, because of a crisis or a renegade officer plans a coup d’etat against him.

A man like Kagame isn’t built for democracy or for freedom of speech. Neither is he a visionary of liberty or justice. His the man who believes his vision is supreme and above the rest. He fought and everyone else should just be lucky to have him in-charge.

Well, that’s the sort of leader he is and people are just supposed to blindly support him. If they doubt him or questions him. There will be no mercy or even soft consideration. That’s why there is no real alternative to state media or even critics who is allowed to speak.

That’s why I am not shocked that his returning for another election. This is just a scheduled affair and the “opposition” of the race is just pawns anyway. Secondly, the real opposition is behind bars, dead or in the diaspora. Thirdly, this man will die in office. Either by natural death of ageing or by assassination. Peace.

Zimbabwe: Unemployed Graduates & Youths (UGY) – UGY Zim on the Arrest of President Obert Masaure and Secretary General Robinson Chere (10.07.2022)