Sam Mugumya is finally released after 8 years in Ndolo Military Prison…

The Commander of the FARDC (Armed Forces of the Democratic Republic of Congo) North Kivu Region, Brig Gen Muhindo Akili Mundos has confirmed that forces under his Command arrested Former FDC Leader, Dr Kiiza Besigye’s Political Assistant Mr Sam Mugumya on 21st October 2014. This was during a Joint News conference with his Ugandan Counterpart, UPDF 2nd Division Commander Brig Peter Elwelu following a Security meeting in Kasindi Town of DRC on Tuesday 12th November 2014. Brig Mundos said Mugumya was arrested alongside 02 other Ugandans and 02 Congolese after the entered the country through an illegal entry point near Ishasha boarder. He added that Mugumya was using false names “Katembo Mukiga William” but on interrogation he was proved be Sam Mugumya. He said they suspect he could be involved in dangerous activities likely to hurt the current cordial relationship between Uganda and DRC and as a result he was transferred from his headquarters in Beni, to the capital Kinshasa for further investigations” (UPDF – FARDC confirms Sam Mugumya’s Arrest, 14.11.2014).

Today on the 21st October 2022, it is confirmed that Sam Mugumya is released from Ndolo Military Prison in Kinshasa. Mugumya has now spent 8 years behind bars or a total of 96 months in prison in the Democratic Republic of Congo.

Mugumya has gone through a lot. The Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) pushed for his release and also being moved to Uganda. However, the authorities in Uganda didn’t want him to return. That why we know his been a political prisoner in the DRC.

He was arrested because of his political affiliation and that he was associated with Dr. Kizza Besigye. That was the reason for his imprisonment. It wasn’t because of his supposed connections to militias or anything. This was the excuses and arguments, which the authorities used to keep him in prison. He was a political prisoner and have paid a huge price for doing so.

Mugumya has suffered in prison. No one can say it has been easy. The man has been torn and could have gotten a broken spirit. Instead he has soldiered on and awaited freedom. He has stood tall in the midst of adversity and shown his strength.

Okello-Oryem did state in fact in 2016 that there was no chance of a fair trail or extradition. That was how this score was settled and Mugumya just had to pay the price. He was a victim of the association and the allies he had chosen. That’s why he was taken into custody and moved to a prison in Kinshasa. All because he was affiliated with Besigye. This was all the authorities needed and they let him suffer for 8 years.

It is good to see the picture of Sam Mugumya holding a note “Free At Last”. Also another picture on the outside of prison. He shouldn’t have been a felon in the first place. He has suffered, paid the cost and should be paid by the state for the injustice. However, we know there will be no consequences to the ones who detained him or held him captive. Mugumya was a victim of circumstance and political activism. That’s all it took.

The price for standing tall and being brave cost him 8 years. 8 years in a miliary prison in Kinshasa. Mugumya deserve not only a heroes welcome, but to be honoured for his bravery. He could have given in and been gone by now. However, he soldiered on and knew deep down it would end. Nevertheless, it shouldn’t have been this hard.

The authorities of DRC failed him and so did the authorities in Kampala. If he had been one of “them“… they would have sent a military attaché and picked him up somehow. However, he was a target and the NRM was happy, that he was out of sight and out of mind. Peace.

RDC: Syndicat National des Medecins (SYNAMED asbl) – Declaration de Presse du SYNAMED asbl relative au Meurtre du Dr Marie Sylvie Kavuke, Medecin au Centre Hospitalier de Maboya au Nord-Kivu (21.10.2022)

Tchad: Commission Nationale des Droits de l’Homme (CNDH) – Bureau Executif – Communique de Presse No. 003 (20.10.2022)

Tchad: La repression systematique des manifestations contre la prolongation de la periode de transition dolt immediatement cesser (21.10.2022)

Opinion: Gerrard wasn’t ready

Steven Gerrard was appointed in the middle of last season in November 2021. He was supposed to bring a refreshing view and perspective. As a man of the future after winning the Scottish League with Glasgow Rangers the season before. However, yesterday was his final day as the Aston Villa Manager.

Gerrard have certainly a legacy on the pitch for Liverpool. Nevertheless, he hasn’t been long or seasoned as a manager yet. He went quickly and fast into the role as manager in Aston Villa. Maybe he wasn’t prepared for the challenge.

Some might say he never had the time or ability to implement his sort of squad or tactics for the matter. Aston Villa was supposed to be a top 10 or trying to reach the top 6 in a short space or time. However, Gerrard wasn’t the character for this club.

Aston Villa was supposed to reach new heights and build the club even further. It made it further seems like Gerrard was using the club as a stepping stone. This was just a place for him and a building his CV. Instead of delivering or trying to excel here.

Gerrard was a supposed legend and he should later become the successor of Klopp in Liverpool. That must have been an Achilles heel for him. Since, how could he build or be a future man for Villa when he was just in the waiting to return to Liverpool.

Here is a big name that failed in his role. It is likely that he wasn’t the fit in the first place or his name was to big for the role his occupying. Gerrard should have considered this and tried to connect himself more to the club. He needs to build trust and confidence. Especially, after the board got rid of respected and a man that had delivered for Villa in the past. This being the newly sacked manager Dean Smith.

When Gerrard came from Rangers he had just achieved a title and gotten the club back to the European Competition. Nevertheless, he didn’t have back-to-back titles in the Scottish League. He was able to return Rangers to prominence, but that was expected. It isn’t like Rangers is a small or insignificant club. It wasn’t like Airdrieonians Football Club or Airdrie from a small-timer to a big shot over years. No, he restructured Rangers and got them back.

Gerrard should have footed himself differently. Stevie G shouldn’t have experimented as much as he did. He was also unfortunate to loose Grealish. He got the players which was bought in his stead. Some of them wasn’t able to push or get into the Premier League that fast. This has hit him hard and his own signings hasn’t hit the ground running either.

Gerrard maybe went to high and to fast. Stevie G needs to prove himself and be more consistent. He needs to prove that his able to re-ignite and deliver astonishing results. Gerrard cannot just think his name can carry it all. It is proven now that it’s not enough. Then he will do like Wayne Rooney and end up in the MLS. Instead of where he wants to be at.

Gerrard needs to re-think his ways and how he operates to able to succeed as manager. Gerrard could easily end up like Solskjær and be “untouchable” after the final stint in Manchester United. Even if he did deliver a second place during his tenure. Because, you need results and prove that your progress. There is a need to show character and will to thrive. In this here game, there is nothing given to you. The manager always has to prove and evolve. Never be stagnate and be gullible.

It seemed like for the last two months that Gerrard was a “dead man walking” and a “sacked in the morning” type of guy. The latest was the crushing defeat against Fulham after dozens of bad results. He didn’t deliver and the club don’t have the time to wait on promise. They need returns and they need it quickly. Gerrard didn’t deliver stability or progress. He only made it seem worse and now was in the midst of a downturn. Not the sort of outlook he came in with.

Gerrard needs to take a challenge and needs more experience. He needs to touch lower levels League’s and managerial experiences there. He needs to show that he can carry the weight and succeed. Because, if he does and returns to another club with that baggage. Gerrard might have a chance of redemption.

Since right now… it’s grim and looking bad for him. He looks like a sorry man who was to early out and wasn’t ready. He needs to get prepared and have the tactical skills to outsmart his competition. That wasn’t it in Aston Villa and that’s why his gone. Peace.

Opinion: Boris shouldn’t be a choice now…

The ones that is calling for the return of Boris Johnson is either oblivious to all the scandals, the inept government he was running and the rampant cronyism in his term. The time of Johnson was better than Liz Truss, but you have not set your bar high if that is the standard. It isn’t like Truss had a clean slate or any office to takeover. She had to carry on after a prolonged lockdowns, financial downturn after Brexit and other issues, which was only growing worse. However, she just added gasoline to the fire and it was righteous to get rid of her before she got to do more damage.

Now that Truss is ousted after only 44 days. There is no need to revisit or even consider Boris Johnson. The man isn’t trustworthy, neither does he cares about victims or anyone else than himself. He would just misuse the office and ensure he would eat cake. That’s why during a rampant inflations, living crisis and energy prices crisis. He was chilling and having a vacation in the Caribbean.

Are we supposed to forget how Johnson ended his term? He refused to address or even consider allegations of sexual misconduct of appointees. That’s why everything fell apart. Before he resigned

62 of the United Kingdom’s 179 government ministers, parliamentary private secretaries, trade envoys, and party chairmen resigned from their positions in the Johnson’s cabinet. It was a wild 48 hours in mid-July, which forced him to resign and for a reason.

So, it is wild that only a few months later… people have forgotten the record slaughter of resignations. They have missed or dementia or something. Because, there was plenty of reasons for the downfall of Johnson. However, it had to sexual misconduct of one of his trusted peers, which he lied about.

There was so many other scandals like the “Parte after Parte” during the lockdowns. Breaching the laws and COVID-19 regulations. It isn’t like the term of Boris was any good. People only thinks so now after the circus and catastrophic choices of Truss. However, people don’t want the cronyism and the inept Boris back. His not a man of trust or stability either.

Boris Johnson will lie about everything. He will not be held accountable or transparent for that matter. His not even caring about showing up at COBRA meetings or anything else for that matter. Neither does he care about public spending or issues laws for the common good. That’s why the Tories are as shambolic as it is currently.

If you want him back… you want open corruption and rampant scandals in every part of government. Prime Minister Johnson is reckless and won’t care about anything. The time in office has shown that the Nolan Principal doesn’t matter or has no value. You can just be a tosser and be an asshole, breach protocol and never capture any real consequences. It looked like Boris could piss on the altar and still play his part in communion.

That’s why we are seeing a hot minute after Truss has resigned. People are showing their support and wants him to return. Have they all forgotten what he did?

Everyone should know he promised an easy withdrawal of the membership in the European Union (EU), which couldn’t be further from the truth. The ramifications of leaving the European Single-Market, neither has there been less red-tape or less bureaucracy. Instead, it’s been more modifications and regulations to be able to trade as a third country. That is something that should always linger on his name. He promised an “oven-ready” agreement, which wasn’t the case. There will be negotiations and diplomatic measures to ensure better trading agreements. However, that seems lost now, but is a lingering issue for the businesses in the United Kingdom.

So, if you want more issues, lies and deceptions. Do you and live your life. Boris Johnson want revive an honest or thriving government. No, he will pay-off his allies and take away all credibility. His an elitist prick who was able to sell a lie. A lie that all of the UK is living on. The Brexit outcomes are now coming home to roast.

If the Tories returns with Boris. They deserve to burn and be gone in the next general election. The Tories has destroyed the financial markets, the trust in government and so much more. It is a reason why the Tories don’t want a General Election. They know they would be finished and loose everything. It is now clinging on to power, because it will last on borrowed time. At this moment, the Tories has had 12 years in power and will have the 4th Prime Minister in 4 years.

Prime Minister Johnson … isn’t the answer or the remedy the Tories need. Neither is what the His Majesties Government need either. This is just showing how little progress and how little care for rules they have. If they are reviving Johnson. If you want to revive bad ideas, why not do another round of Theresa May? Seriously, it is really dumb to reconsider the bad days of Boris. However, that’s how far the Tories has fallen. They cannot even muster a new and better candidate. Going back to supposed “greatest hits” but anyone with some common sense can see it’s only a disaster in waiting. Peace.

Ethiopia: The Authorities is forcing the citizens to demonstrate against the West tomorrow…

Full translation of the call for protest rally :”It is known that the government of Ethiopia is gaining victory in the law enforcement campaign to prevent the terrorist threat that is being inflicted on the citizens. Following this victory, the West is putting pressure on Ethiopia with the goal of salvaging the terrorists. We are there informing you to attend the protest rally at Meskel Square on Saturday Tikimt 12 2015 EC( October 22, 2022). If you do not attend the rally, we herewith inform you that you will not receive any public services.“” (UMD Media, 21.10.2022).

There has only been leaked a letter or a press release from the Arada Sub-County Woreda & Administration Chief Executive Office Addis Ababa, which are stating certain facts. Most likely this is not only happening in Arada, but other sub-counties or woreda’s of Addis Ababa. As the authorities and local government of the capital is drumming up people to demonstrate tomorrow.

The interesting thing isn’t that the Ethiopian Government or the Prosperity Party wants to demonstrate against the West. That is inevitable, as its reputation is tarnished and totally destroyed by the civil war. A war that has shown the true character of the regime and what Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed Ali is willing to do. We can state that his not a Man of Peace, but another War-Lord.

The authorities are drumming up the demonstrations, because they want it to look like the West has betrayed the nation. Though we know the government and state wants to get the favourable treatment of AGOA, which has been revoked or suspended for time being. That has happened because of the state sponsored violence, weaponized humanitarian assistance and genocidal actions in the region of Tigray. Therefore, the criticism and the possible actions of the West is righteous.

Abiy and his allies has no trouble to detain, torture, starve or kill his enemies. That is what he does on the regular. However, not able to sell coffee-beans with less tariff is a hill this regime wants to die on.

We should expect huge crowds for one reason only. The authorities are saying “if you do not attend the rally, you will not receive any public services”. That’s really saying something and is a direct threat. This is cutting of the public services from people who defy it. Meaning the state has ordered the civilians to the streets. In this regard, the people not showing up can be sanctioned or be barred from getting public services. This is showing what sort of “democratic” and “liberty” the Prosperity Party is serving it’s citizens.

It is either my way or the highway. There is no middle-ground… and only the measures of which the government has decided. The public or citizens just have to comply and be grateful that they are ruling. If not they can forget to help or any sorts of public services. That’s really saying something and how they incite fear to get people in-line. They cannot even sweeten the deal or make a decent proposal.

They need to issue orders and spread fear to get people to dance. It is really tragic, but that’s how far the mighty has fallen. Peace.

Somalia: World Food Programme (WFP) Reaches Record Numbers with Food and Nutrition Support in Somalia amid Ongoing Famine Risk (20.10.2022)

The scale-up has helped keep the worst outcomes of Somalia’s hunger crisis at bay so far.

MOGADISHU, Somalia, October 20, 2022 – The United Nations World Food Programme is delivering life-saving food and nutrition assistance to record numbers of people in Somalia, with over 4 million people a month receiving urgent humanitarian support to prevent famine in the face of the region’s worst drought in over 40 years.

The scale-up has helped keep the worst outcomes of Somalia’s hunger crisis at bay so far. But the situation on the ground remains dire, with lives and livelihoods being lost. WFP is racing against time to avert a projected famine and a death toll that could reach the tens or even hundreds of thousands.

Additional information for journalists:

– Over the last six months, WFP has more than doubled the number of people reached with life-saving food and cash assistance from 1.7 million in April to 4.4 million people in August. A further 450,000 children and mothers received nutrition support from WFP in August, as the agency expands both the caseload and number of treatment sites.

– In September, WFP reached almost 4.1 million people with emergency food and cash relief and half a million malnourished children and mothers with malnutrition treatment services.

– WFP is working to continue this expansion, including in hard-to-reach areas, and increase investment in longer-term programming such as malnutrition prevention, which will help to reduce the number of people who need treatment.

Nutrition prevention activities were almost entirely suspended from the second quarter of 2022 as – – WFP was forced to prioritize treatment services due to limited funds. The agency has resumed some prevention activities for children and pregnant or breastfeeding women and is working to do more.

– WFP is reaching new rural areas, including in the famine risk districts of Baidoa and Burhakaba, with food assistance and cash transfers. WFP’s mobile money transfers are an efficient way to getting assistance rapidly to people in hard-to-reach areas.

– WFP deployed a new helicopter in Somalia in September to deliver food assistance to hard-to-reach areas and get aid workers to the places they are needed most. The WFP-led Logistics Cluster is also using the helicopter to deliver humanitarian relief on behalf of other UN agencies and NGOs. The helicopter has so far conducted over 30 flights in September and October.

– WFP is the largest humanitarian agency in Somalia, with 12 offices across the country providing coverage in every state.

– WFP’s massive scale-up has largely been made possible thanks to timely support from key donors, particularly in recent months. It is essential that this is maintained. WFP has a funding gap of US$ 412 million across all activities for the next six months to March 2023, including a shortfall of US$ 315 million for life-saving food relief and nutrition assistance.

Somalia: OCHA – More humanitarian assistance is urgently needed in Somalia (21.10.2022)

Millions are at risk unless humanitarian assistance is scaled up and sustained.

MOGADISHU, Somalia, October 21, 2022 – Humanitarian organizations need an additional US$1 billion in funding to reach 7.6 million people targeted for humanitarian assistance in Somalia. The increased requirement for the 2022 Humanitarian Response Plan (HRP) comes against the backdrop of rapidly mounting needs and a corresponding scale-up in humanitarian action.

We are facing a major emergency. We declared the drought an emergency last year and have been scaling up to reach the most vulnerable people, but we need the international community’s support to prevent further deterioration,” said Somalia Deputy Prime Minister, Salah Ahmed Jama.

Somalia is currently facing its worst drought in at least 40 years. The historic failure of four consecutive rainy seasons, persistent conflict, displacement, and high food prices have left millions of people at risk and are pushing people in Somalia to the brink of famine. In response to the alarming situation, the Federal Government of Somalia has appointed a Special Envoy for Drought and reconstituted the Somali Disaster Management Agency, tasked with facilitating efforts of relief and rescuing people in distress.

In January, when the 2022 Humanitarian Response Plan was launched, about 3.2 million people were affected by the cumulative effects of three consecutive failed rainy seasons. Now, because of yet more failed rains, more than 7.8 million Somalis, nearly half of the population, are affected by drought. More than 1.1 million people have left their homes in search of food, water, and livelihoods, a threefold increase since the beginning of the year. Three million livestock have died, and water sources have run dry.

Humanitarian organizations have adapted the response to target areas where the needs are highest, focusing on the most vulnerable people. But we know we urgently need to do more, and we require more money to do so,” said Adam Abdelmoula, Deputy Special Representative of the Secretary-General, UN Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator for Somalia.

The updated 2022 Humanitarian Response Plan requires $2.26 billion to respond to the most life-threatening needs of 7.6 million people across Somalia, an increase of $800 million on the initial HRP target in January of $1.46 billion for about 5.5 million people. More than 80 per cent of the funding requirement is related to drought. Donors have made generous contributions totalling $1.05 billion so far this year (46 per cent of the $2.26 billion appeal), enabling partners to reach about 6.5 million people across Somalia with some form of humanitarian assistance, but more funds are urgently needed to keep pace with the increasing scale, scope, and severity of the situation.

More than 300 humanitarian organizations, including international and national non-governmental organizations (NGOs), UN agencies and international organizations have projects in the HRP. More funding should be channelled to national NGOs, who are on the frontline responding to needs in some of the hardesthit and hardest-to-reach areas of Somalia. Immediate life-saving assistance must also be accompanied by investment in livelihoods, resilience, infrastructure development, climate adaptation and durable solutions.

Sudan: Forces of Freedom and Change (FFC) – Press Statement (20.10.2022)

The Forces of the Declaration of Freedom and Change saw frequent news during the day that a joint draft agreement had been reached between them and the military component of the coup authority, and subsequent news indicating the imminent signing of a joint agreement at any moment from today.

The Forces of the Declaration of Freedom and Change confirm that they have not prepared, participated, or even been informed of any joint agreement.

The Forces of the Declaration of Freedom and Change renew their commitment to the Sudanese people and the forces resisting the coup by their adherence to achieving the legitimate aspirations of the Sudanese people in ending and defeating the coup, restoring the democratic transition, and establishing civil constitutional institutions of governance.

The Forces of the Declaration of Freedom and Change will be fully responsible and transparent and will take the initiative to disclose and disclose any draft agreements that they prepare or submit to them.

We seize this opportunity to urge the masses of our people in all parts of our country to come out and say with their feet, tomorrow, Friday, October 21, that this coup must end and be defeated by their own will.

Restoration of the full and undiminished democratic transition and the affirmation that the will of the people is stronger than tyrants and will triumph in the end.

Executive Office – Forces of Freedom and Change

October 20, 2022 AD