
Eswatini: Economic Freedom Fighters of Swaziland Students’ Command (EFF-SSC) – EFF SSC statement on Police intimidating ECOT students (08.08.2022)





“A command post is a committee of military personnel that actually holds power in an area under a state of emergency. In addition to command posts, the army also controls areas on many interregional borders” (Netherlands – ‘Country of Origin Information Report Ethiopia’ February 2021).
Today the National Security Council released a statement after holding a meeting. This meeting and statement is revelling the rising insecurity across the Republic. The authorities and the republic’s forces are stretched, apparently. Since there aren’t anywhere to hide or seek relief. The state is also claiming to catch “terrorists” on the regular, but that could also just mean “dissidents” or “opposition”. Since the Federal Government have hang of arresting vocal activists, journalists or anyone who dares to oppose it. Therefore, the definition of “terrorist” in Ethiopia in 2022 can be a bit “blurry” to put it mildly.
However, there was too very revealing things in the release from the National Security Council and even in the government press. The Command Post isn’t a new thing and was part of the former State of Emergencies that the previous Prime Minister and his political allies used to target dissidents. That’s why reading about them now and without declared “state of emergencies” it is clearly a tool of oppression and use of excessive force. Not that it’s shocking, since the army is used against civilians and not to defend the territories of Ethiopia against invaders. Alas, here is one of the problems. While the same government uses Command Post and goes after civilians while competing with rebellions. It surely is losing grounds and moral high-ground. Since, the population see the usage of force and cannot see the possible difference between a “terrorist” and a “government agent” except for the badge or label on their uniform.
Just read here from Government Friendly Press:
“According to the statement, to fully destroy the OLF-Shene terrorist group, command posts of Shewa, Wollega and Guji have been formed in Oromia Region. The national Defence Force, Oromia Region leadership and security forces are undertaking coordinated deployment to this end. Statement indicates that 3,280 militants of Shene have been captured, and others refused to surrender to the government forces have been destroyed” (Fana BC, 08.08.2022).
“The Somali Regional leadership mobilizing and involving the people took an exemplary measure against the enemy, the Council said. Saying that a command post including the national army is established, the council indicated that 813 Al-Shabab militants were killed while 79 others captured in a join operation” (Fana BC, 08.08.2022).
Yes, the OLF has targeted just like Querro did in the past. This is a continuation of that and the OLF has only been more vigilant as they are operating in what seems like war. That has been done for months and the state has promised to do the “final operation” and finish them. However, they never seem to be able or have the capacity to do so.
The attacks of Al-Shabaab is different and is foreign terrorist organization attacking Ethiopian soil. That is understandable and within reason of what a National Army should do. What I am more worried about is the establishment of Command Posts, which has been reflected as a means of “State of Emergency” and been used as a tool to silence the citizens of any given region, which we have seen before in Ethiopia. That’s why the Command Post usage both place can be questioned. Because, this tool has been used in the EPRDF time and now under PP.
This isn’t a sign of peace, but utter insecurity when the army has to control parts of regions under Command Posts. It shows that things are dire and not in good place. Also, shows how far reaching the troubles are now. As it is burning wherever you turn. Especially, if you read the statement of National Security Council. There wasn’t corner where the authorities needed to be vigilant or acts with suspicious. That is just saying something and how things really are. Peace.
Reference:
Fana Broadcasting Company – ‘Council Praises Positive Steps Taken To Reduce Internal Vulnerability, National Security’ 08.08.2022









“The Electoral Commission in Kasese has cleared the first candidate to vie for the Busongora South by-election scheduled for August 18th, 2022. NUP’s Mbaju Jackson Kathika was dully nominated at 11:00 am. Having been nominated, he is optimistic about victory in the polls” (NBS Television, 08.08.2022).
“The increasing number of NRM members opting to run as Independents in the Busongola by-election in Kasese district is giving party officials a headache. The party officials are worried that the numbers might put pressure on the NRM flag bearer should they be nominated. This was revealed during an NRM Delegates Conference to flag off Mujungu Gideon as the party’s flag bearer” (NBS Television, 07.08.2022).
In Kasese district in the Busongola South By-Election scheduled for the polls on the 18th August 2022. There are already three major candidates. The NRM own flag-bearer Thembo Gideon Mujungu who won in the General Election of 2021 and was recently “nullified” in the courts. That’s why the county is again having elections for the seat in Parliament.
The other important flag-bearers are the National Unity Platform Jackson Kathika Mbaju, the former MP (FDC, 2016-2021) and who ran as an independent in 2021, but is returning as a NUP Flag-bearer in 2022. He was the runner-up in 2021, as the NUP flag-bearer of 2021 was Michael Masereka and he came in at 9th out of 10 candidates. So, they went for a more viable option this time around.
While the Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) own flag-bearer is Kighema Alozious Baguma. In the 2021 elections he came third and after the then independent candidate Mbaju. That’s why this campaign and by-election will be interesting. Mbaju lacked about 100 votes to win over Mujungu in the General Elections, while Baguma needed about 700 votes to conquer the NRM flag-bearer. Therefore, these three are neck-in-neck.
We should also wonder if Kafunda Boaz returns to the polls again. As his a former MP (2011-2016) for the region, but only came in 6th of 10. Maybe he wants the “pure democracy” as he wanted applause for celebrating the arrest of former Prime Minister Amama Mbabazi. Well, time will tell really.
Here is another contested race and Kasese has been a stronghold for the FDC. That has been well known for some time. That’s why at one point they had all MPs, but now times are maybe changing. However, it is interesting that the NUP picked up a former FDC MP and former Independent for this race. This will certainly make it contested and make it harder to gain the total majority of one of the opposition. That will benefit the NRM flag-bearer and could be a reason for victory. This is just speculation, even as we all know that the NRM state machinery is in the works and eventually the malpractices and the intimidation will start. That’s why by-elections looks like war-zones and not “democratic inspired events” anymore.
It is also interesting that the NUP is fielding a candidate, as the NUP knows the history of Kasese. As they have a statement of unity and planned to work together in elections. They are certainly doing so elsewhere in By-Elections. However, right here… they are seemingly very keen on contesting. I wonder how that will play out or if this is a strategy by both parties.
Busongola South By-Election will be something to look out for. There are so many flag-bearers that this will turn interesting… Peace.



