Sudan: Al Shabia Resistance Committees – Extrajudicial Arrests (07.08.2022)

The coup militias detained a number of revolutionaries today in the city of Bahri, a practice that is not uncommon. These forces also stormed a number of neighborhoods in an attempt to harass and spread terror among the residents.

Over the past period, these militias have conducted arrests in violation of and in total disregard for the law. We warn these forces not to re-enter the neighborhoods again, and our response on the ground will be immediate and decisive. Additionally, we warn them not to arrest any revolutionary inside or outside of the neighborhoods.

The use of tactics such as terrorism, intimidation, and extrajudicial arrests will only serve to strengthen our resolve and belief in the cause.

Media Office

Al Shabia Resistance Committees

August 7, 2022

Zimbabwe: Zimbabwe Human Rights NGO Forum – On Heroes Day, Forum calls for the Values of the Liberation Struggle to be Observed in the Advancement of Human Rights (08.08.2022)

Bukimbiri County By-Election: The NRM is ready to repeat what they did in Soroti East…

We’re very ready to gain that victory in all the remaining by-elections in Gogonyo, and Bukimbiri. Our teams are already on the ground and we hope to repeat what we did in Soroti,” NRM party EC boss, Dr. Tanga Odoi said” (The New Vision, 05.08.2022).

The ones that believes the two by-elections scheduled for 11th August 2022 will be free and fair. Well, I hate to say it in advance: “It will not be”. Because, the National Resistance Movement are already prepared and Dr. Tanga Odoi know what went down in the Soroti East By-Election. So, the truth is in those words and the public shouldn’t be hoodwinked.

The Prime Minister Nabbanja flew in with a helicopter to campaign together with other high ranking officials who is in the area. They are clearly ensuring the path of victory and having the manpower to “ensure victory”. If that being Dombo or NRM operatives on the ground. These will do whatever it takes and that shows with how the NRM has invested in the PM to be there.

Here are some more important statements into the race, which we will be run like Soroti East…

The PM:

PM Robinah Nabbanja, pitches camp in Kisoro to campaign for NRM flag bearer, Eddie Kwizera Wa-gahungu ahead of this week’s Bukimbiri by-election. Nabbanja rallied the locals to support Kwizera, if promises and pledges of gov’t are to be fulfilled” (91.2 Crooze FM, 08.08.2022).

Joint Candidacy of the Opposition:

Kampala, Uganda: The National Unity Platform (NUP) party has withdrawn its candidate in the Bukimbiri county by-election, in order to jointly support James Owebeyi, a candidate for the Forum for Democratic Change-FDC party. Voting in Bukimbiri is scheduled to take place on August 11, 2022. The by-election stems from the court of Appeal’s decision to nullify the victory of Kwizera citing irregularities following a successful application by Owebeyi” (Flash TV Uganda, 07.08.2022).

Joshua Mutabazi statement:

But if, its for the people, but if it was for liberation, but had it been for us then why wait long. We cant keep claiming condemning and consoling. I choose to bridge the struggle but most importantly draw lines between what one needs and what the country needs. What the country needed a decade back was our leaders to be one, we are late. Its my turn, I wont delay therefore announce my withdrawal from the parliamentary seat by-election of the latter mentioned jurisdiction in favor and full support for united struggle. As the country’s need to have united forces of Change ages daily, I and my party decided to take it upon ourselves. If you have ever experienced injustice and by the ungodliness, then you are a candidate to stand against the same. “Do you want to stand out? Then step down. Be a servant. If you puff yourself up, you’ll get the wind knocked out of you. But if you’re content to simply be yourself, your life will count for plenty. Matthew 23:11-12-11-12 MSG If you are unwilling to make an early sacrifice in life, you’ll be beggars and slaves to the men who did” (Joshua Mutabazi – STATEMENT ON MY WITHDRAWAL FROM THE BUKIMBIRI COUNTY PARLIAMENT SEAT BY-ELECTION, 06.08.2022).

That Mutabazi (NUP) is withdrawing his candidature is in line with the united forces in the by-elections. This means the NUP and FDC will combine their efforts and be behind one candidate in the race. It shows that the statement released after the Soroti East By-Election is in effect. The parties are coordinating and ensuring the possible best outcome.

The FDC Owebeyi was able to pull off the petition in the courts after the General Elections of 2021. However, now in the By-Election it is a whole other breed. The state will use all means and tactics. The NRM EC Chairman is even saying it out loud. Expect it to become a military exercise. We should expect mass-arrests, pre-ticked ballots and other malpractices to ensure “victory” of the NRM flag-bearer. That’s how they are doing it and it’s so obvious.

That’s why I have little to no faith in the opposition in these races. Not because I want the NRM to win. I do want anyone else than the NRM to win. However, the way they operate and continues to take the elections. The will of the people isn’t the vital one. It is the total annihilation of the opposition. That’s the goal and the objective…

I don’t see a positive outcome. The FDC flag-bearer James Owebeyi could be a genuine man and an honest actor, the best sort of candidate, but that doesn’t matter. Because, the state is preparing their machine and rigging. The FDC polling agents and activists will soon feel the agony of facing the state. They are getting into the firing line and they tend to answer with brutality. To think otherwise is to be naive in 2022… Peace.

Tchad: Front pour l’Aternance et la Concorde au Tchad (FACT) – Communique de Presse No. 017 (07.08.2022)

Philippines: National Citizens’ Movement for Free Elections (NAMFREL) – Young NAMFREL Members on the 2022 BSKE (08.08.2022)

Philippines: House of Representatives – House Bill No. 2971 (August 02, 2022)

Ethiopia: Will there be a future Wolaita referendum?

Professor Assefa Wodajo, an activist working for separate Wolaita regional state, has been arrested in Sodo. Yesterday a protest was held in Sodo against ruling PP party’s proposal to create a new regional state comprising 10 zones and 6 districts (including Wolaita) of SNNPR” (The Oromia Daily Post, 07.08.2022).

The authorities and leadership of Addis Ababa should listen to the pleas and the will of the people of Wolaita Zone. By the 2020 population of the region is about 5,385,000 people. With this in mind, the wil land want for a Regional State makes sense.

When the Prosperity Party let the Sidama have a referendum and transformed the Sidama zone(s) into a regional state in 2020. In 2021 after another referendum the Prosperity Party also made the South West Ethiopia Peoples’ Region (SWEPR), which means two regions has come out of the SNNPR under the reign of the Prime Minister Abiy.

The same sort of thing would make sense for the Wolaita Zone as well. We know the state is busy scheming “clusters” in the SNNPR, instead of offering the historical zone a possibility to get recognition.

The Kingdom of Wolaita lasted from 1251 to 1896. So the area has had an historical impact, which led to 42 dynasties and respect the seat of Kawo. After the fall of the Kingdom the new rulers let appointed governors rule over the Wolaita until the DeWrg changed the government structure and put Wolaita together with Sidamo. This lasted until 1991 when Wolaita became a zone in the Southern Nations, Nationalities and Peoples’ Region (SNNPR).

Because of the act of making Sidama a Regional State. There are others who wants that for themselves. They want to see their Zone and their place in the same light as the neighbour. That’s because of the current government system and the benefits of being a state. There will be elevated infrastructure and security organizations with that. Which isn’t made in a cluster or such.

So, with the knowledge of two referendums and the two new regional states. The people of Wolaita has even a greater cause for their will and want. This has been created by the creation of Sidama and SWEPR. The door has been opened up for others and now the ones left behind asking for their turn.

The arrest of the Professor isn’t helping the cause, but instead only giving it credibility. As the people are demonstrating and protesting for their rights to a state. Who can blame them?

They have already seen two regions carved out of the SNNPR and easily could see a third. With the knowledge of the size of the SNNPR and the amount of population. The Wolaita Zone would take around of it and make the SNNPR really small in population size. However, it would still be bigger than Sidama and SWEPR, which has already been created.

This is a sort of play that the Prosperity Party has ushered in themselves with the establishment of new regional states surrounding the Wolaita zone. As well, as the knowledge and self-believe of ability to create hegemony on their own. Which isn’t hart to believe knowing how the current regime is running the nation. Surely, the Wolaita would prefer some more established boundaries, than what they have today.

So, is Wolaita next? Peace.

Mali: Ministere de la Securite et de la Protection Civile – Direction General de la Police Nationale – Communique No. 00512 (07.08.2022)

Sudan: Forces for Freedom and Change – press release about Central Council for Freedom and Change meeting (07.08.2022)

The meeting of the Central Council for Freedom and Change was held on Saturday, August 6, 2022 AD at the National Umma Party House, with the presence and participation of its blocs, parties and components.

The meeting, which lasted for nearly six hours, deliberated on many political and regulatory agendas and related issues.

The meeting renewed the Alliance of Forces of Freedom and Change’s adherence to its political position based on ending and defeating the October 25 coup, restoring the democratic transition and building transitional, civilian constitutional institutions of governance.

The meeting also directed the Executive Office to prepare a political declaration that includes the coalition’s visions on political issues.

The meeting approved a number of organizational directives related to the work of the institutions of the Forces of Freedom and Change coalition, that the regular meetings of the Central Council should be held monthly.

With the possibility of holding emergency meetings if necessary, and issued the necessary directives to manage and develop the work of the specialized committees during the coming period.

The meeting decided to refer the draft constitutional declaration and the notes and proposals for amendments submitted about it to a legal and political committee that includes in its membership the Legal Committee and members of the Central Council representing the blocs, parties, and parties that submitted observations or proposals for amendments to the draft constitutional declaration.

Provided that the joint committee presents the draft declaration in its final form to an emergency session of the Central Council to be held within two weeks from its date with the purpose of approving it in its final form.

The meeting also adopted the general guidelines for the vision of the forces of freedom and change to be presented during the workshop organized by the steering committee of the Sudanese Bar Association on the basic issues of the country’s transitional constitutional framework after the end and defeat of the October 25 coup, the restoration of the democratic transition and the realization of the glorious December revolution slogans of freedom, peace and justice in a democratic civil state.

Forces of Freedom and Change – Media Committee

August 7, 2022 AD

Gogonyo County By-Election: The NRM is soon winning on “walk-over” here…

The NUP candidate Mr Joseph Okoboi Opolot announced in a press release dated August 7 that he is pulling out of the race in the forthcoming by-election of Gogonyo County in Palisa District. A few days ago, FDC withdrew its candidate in favour of NUP. NRM’s candidate Orone Derrick who has been the incumbent MP is almost unopposed with the withdrawal of his major rivals” (Emmanuel Busingye – ‘BREAKING: NUP Gogonyo candidate bows out of race’ 07.08.2022, Ekyooto.co.uk).

The 11th August 2022 can just appear in Gogonyo County By-Election, by all means the results are already appearing and announcement is pure victory of the National Resistance Movement (NRM). Some are already saying that the Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) shouldn’t have trusted the National Unity Platform (NUP). However, it wasn’t long ago that the FDC barely could have a candidate in the Omoro By-Election after the NRM pulled a similar stunt on their first candidate there. So, the FDC should know this game and understand the trickery that the NRM is pulling.

It is tragic that this is happening in Palisa district. The election is now barren and close to pointless. The NRM is as close as running unopposed and has no real competition. The NRM could just be sworn-in and be a part of the 11th Parliament now. Especially after the late pull-out of the NUP Flag-bearer.

The joint candidacy of the opposition is meant as a good way of organizing the campaigns and strengthen the parties ahead of the polls. Since, the NRM uses the state machinery and the authorities to ensure victory. The elections are hallow and so barren of democratic principals. That the idea is well founded and shows unity. Alas, it also has a backside when the NRM and the authorities are able to corrupt their candidates.

The FDC saw what happened with the self-abducted original flag-bearer in the Omoro County By-Election. So, let us not forget about the tales of Denis Dickson Owani this quickly. Just as he “escaped” and the FDC was able to field a substitute. The authorities and the NRM was able to pull this off much later… which means the NUP and FDC isn’t capable of replacing Opolot either. That’s the tragic thing here.

The NUP is at fault to not ensure total loyalty to the cause and that he would properly stand for election. However, the same greed that ate Owani has now corrupted Opolot. That is the gist of it here.

That gives way for Derrick Orone who is contesting for the same seat for the second time in two years and this time around he has practically no real competition. This means that this By-Election is already cooked and ready to be served. Peace.