Ethiopia: Ministry of Foreign Affairs – Statement (21.03.2023)

Kenya: Office of the Inspector General – Violence against National Police Service Officers by Supporters of Azimio-One Kenya Alliance Demonstrators (21.03.2023)

South Africa: Socio-Economic Rights Institute (SERI) – SERI Remembers Mthokozisi Ntumba and Abahlali’s Ayanda Ngila and Siyabonga Manqele (21.03.2023)

Cameroun: Ambassade en France – Communique No. 006 – A l’Attention de la Communaute Camerounaise de France et des Amis du Cameroun – A/S Allegations Mensongeres du site n’zui manto officiel (20.03.2023)

Kenya: CRE-CO, KHRC and Muhuri – Joint Press Release – Adding salt to injury? Repressive Response by Police to Kenyans facing economic hardships (20.03.2023)

Republique Centrafricaine: Assemble Nationale – Presidence – Communique (20.03.2023)

South Africa: Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) – EFF Thanks the People of South Africa for heeding the Call for the National Shutdown (20.03.2023)

Ethiopia: The TPLF says the Eritrean forces and Fano are still operating in Tigray…

The people and government of Tigray have been subjected to countless injustices and atrocities in recent years simply because they hold the popular belief and principle that “the order should be respected and the right of peoples to self-determination should not be violated”. They have also been struggling with remarkable tenacity and remarkable heroism to fight the unique suffering that has been inflicted on them and they have entered the process of peaceful political struggle in late October” (TPLF, 19.03.2023).

There been many moons and many months since the Cessation of Hostilities Agreement was signed between the FDRE and the TPLF or the Regional Government of Tigray. Now after all this time and speculation. The TPLF is announcing one worrying factor. They are stating that the Amhara region is still part of the conflict and their armies are still in the region. This is happening months after CoHA came into effect. It just shows that the agreement isn’t valuable or off much concern.

The TPLF are dealing with an axis of enemies. They are based in Addis Ababa – Bahir Dar and in Asmara. This Tripartite Alliance got all the goodwill and international credibility by signing the agreement. Nevertheless, they haven’t done much to honour it and they know the international stakeholders doesn’t care either. Therefore, the TPLF signed off to early and it shows by yesterdays press release…

However, as this peace talks process has started its journey in a better direction and we are carrying out the movement to establish the Interim Administration of Tigray, the Ethiopian government should pay special attention and stop the acts of disturbing the peace process The people of Tigray make their appeal. The expression of this weakness is that yesterday, March 10, 2015, an unacceptable demonstration was held in Alamata town. Tragic injustices have also been committed against many civilians. Genocide has been committed in the western and northwestern parts of Tigray since the beginning. The Ethiopian government should fulfill its responsibility to protect the safety of citizens and stop the atrocities committed against the people of West, South and Northwest Tigray regions by the Amhara Regional State administration. To do this, he should work decisively to withdraw the Amhara armed forces from Tigray soil altogether” (…) “We call on the African Union and the international community to take meaningful action to stop the crimes committed by the Amhara armed forces and the Eritrean army against the people of Tigray” (TPLF, 19.03.2023).

We are seeing the TPLF have faith and believes in the small steps to betterment. While they should be cautious, but not ridiculous. For one simple reason, they traded off a lot by signing the agreement and the pay-off has come in favour of Addis Ababa and Bahir Dar. It has not favoured Mekelle or Asmara. Which is very ironic, but true.

Eritrean Defence Forces are still on Tigrayan soil. That has been reported and now it is also reported that the Amhara Para-Military Group “Fano” is still there. Meaning the invading forces still are occupying and destroying the region. The war isn’t over when the invaders are still active. It has ceased the major operations, but the gist of it is still going on. This has become a silent conflict and the brewing of it could spark something even worse. It is a flame hidden in the ashes. When the ashes get enough oxygen it will spark. That’s what is going in and people should be worried. Especially when TPLF is calling it out after all this time.

It should worry people and the bloodshed is continuing. The invaders haven’t retreated or stopped. No, they are only doing it in silence…. And in darkness, and that’s why it’s concerning. Peace.

Kenya: Centre for Multiparty Democracy (CMD) – Dialogue Must Prevail and Greater Responsibility Falls on President Ruto (20.03.2023)

Opinion: Medvedev better chill…

Russian ex-president threatens missile strike against Hague court after Putin arrest warrant. “It’s quite possible to envision a scenario where a Russian ship… could strategically strike the Hague courthouse with a hypersonic Onyx missile,” Dmitry Medvedev said. Medvedev also used foul language to criticize the International Criminal Court, calling it “shitty.” The International Criminal Court (ICC), which is located in the Hague, issued an arrest warrant for Russian dictator Vladimir Putin on March 17” (The Kyiv Independent, 20.03.2023).

The former President and now close ally of Russian President Vladimir Putin, Mr. Dmitry Medvedev have uttered a few words again on Telegram. Which has been intercepted by the press. These words has been written in retaliation of the criminal charges and the investigation made by the International Criminal Court, which has issued an arrest warrant on Russian President Putin. That has hurt the pride of Medvedev, which has resorted in the recent outburst.

Medvedev isn’t a man of subtlety or restraint. No, his man of bravado and a braggadocios demeanour. That’s just who he is, except for being a token loyalist and a fellow crony of the Kremlin elite surrounding the President. He just have to show it and play it off too.

Not like the man has wisdom or any sort of common sense. He is just a high ranking official who comes with empty threats and tries to spread fear. That’s all he does. If it is invading Poland or using nukes in Ukraine. This man has said it and stated it in writing. He just sounds so supreme and ready for war. Like Russia has an army and combat force to take Europe all by it’s own self. That’s the sort of talk that Medvedev is known for at this point.

So, in this regard, that he comes with threats towards the ICC. No one, no one should be shocked or in awe. It is just what he does… and he just create headlines. He scores some brownie points among the Kremlin elites. It maybe gives him credit in the book of Putin. However, he looks like and sounds like a fool. A warmongering fool… and a twisted one at that.

If the Russians was all innocent and had nothing to hide. They wouldn’t mock the ICC or try to downplay the investigation or the arrest warrant. No, they could have fought the case and answered for their actions. Alas, we know that isn’t the case and would never happen. Putin and Medvedev rather bomb and annihilate the court, than answer to it. They rather act above it and say they should be worried. That’s what they are doing.

Yes, Russia isn’t a member of the ICC or have ratified the Rome Statute in their laws. Which means the jurisdiction and the possible ramifications of the arrest warrant is mute. The ICC cannot push or have any incentive to get Putin deported to the Hague. However, other nations might and the signatories of the Rome Statute is supposed to follow through. Though by history and acknowledge of similar cases, former Sudanese President Omar Al-Bashir was able to circumvent it and get away. Therefore, Putin would easily access the same leeway in his travels.

Alas, Medvedev is just smoke and mirrors. His a pot of hot-air with additional nonsense. Trying to spread fear and humiliate the West. Not that it’s working. Just like the Russian propaganda isn’t working outside of the Russian hemisphere either. Except for loonies who believes the Z-Apostles of our time. Peace.