Kenya: Azimio la Umoja – One Kenya Coalition – Statement on the Intention to Create Division and Discord among Mt Kenya Leaders and Residents (17.07.2023)

Opinion: Ruto just gave Odinga the ammunition…

Government has withdrawn the security detail for Raila Odinga, Martha Karua and Kalonzo Musyoka ahead of the week-long planned demonstrations. Others whose security has been withdrawn are governors Gladys Wanga, Peter Anyang’ Nyong’o, James Orengo, Ochilo Ayako & 50 Azimio MPs” (Tuko.co.ke, 17.07.2023).

Reports indicate that the government has withdrawn security detail attached to Azimio La Umoja One Kenya Coalition Party leader Raila Odinga. It is reported that Raila’s security – of more than 10 police officers – that protect him as well as those guarding his homes in Nairobi, Kisumu and Siaya have been recalled. Also, Azimio co-principal Kalonzo Musyoka’s security detail has also been withdrawn ahead of the opposition’s planned anti-government protests starting Wednesday this week. This comes even as the opposition coalition remains relentless with its anti-government protests, despite warnings from Interior Cabinet Secretary Kithure Kindiki and other government officials” (TV47, 17.07.2023).

Sometimes it doesn’t matter what you do. If you do or if you don’t… no matter what it’s just a haywire. The same can be said for President William Ruto and his Kenya Kwanza government. It has a challenger in Raila Odinga and his Azimio. They are relentless and on the front-lines.

What is striking is that Kenya Kwanza government officials have forgotten or seems to think these sorts of things stops Odinga. He thrives in chaos, demonstrations, looting and outright dissent in the streets. That’s where he belongs and where he thrives. He earns political currency and with the creation of instability. Odinga sooner or later forces the hand of the government. That’s why he does this and he has naive followers believing he will save them. People who has never been saved by him every time he has sought a deal or a handshake with a government in question. Therefore, it is amazing that people buy into his maverick means in 2023.

Odinga knows all of this. With the loss of the security detail for him and his lieutenants is nothing new. Similar acts happen to him with CORD and NASA. He is just pushing the same OKOA vibes with a little sprinkle of cost of living. It is all bound to be a stalemate and way for Odinga to get a settlement. While the public who fought for it will not see any returns. It is just jobs for the boys and another pay-check for the mighty.

Ruto know all of this. He has seen it before and the same has other Kenyans too. They are just getting violated by Odinga who uses the citizens who dissent as pawns in his game. These people are just foot-soldiers who can risk it all. Just so Odinga can get a handshake or a fancy “un-official and un-elected” role in government. That’s what he does and he is just anticipating the next move. He could easily betray the whole Azimio and take a bargain himself, and no one should bat an eye at that.

Ruto and his allies should know better. The rhetoric and the stances are only putting more wood on the fire. They are only endangering people more. It is making it risky and adding the stakes. Without considerations of the implications or the possible costs of doing so. It can only damage and cause more pain. A pain and suffering, which is coincidently what Odinga needs to pursuit his mission. A mission that has a price, but not his… and we all know it by now.

This here will not do anyone any good and will only create more possible chaos. There will be no winners here and only a lot of losers. A lot of losses and little to nothing gained. Just more hurt and little to no remedy. Peace.

Opinion: The FDC wrangles will only devalue the party even further…

I cannot be party to a process that is going to install a ‘Mao-like’ leadership whose main objective is to carry the party to Museveni” – Ibrahim Ssemujju MP (NBS Television, 17.07.2023).

FDC party leaders have ordered Kira Municipality MP and FDC party Spokesperson to apologize for holding an illegal assembly. The leaders want Ssemujju to step down as party Spokesperson for what has been deemed indiscipline” (NBS Television, 17.07.2023).

I have been betrayed by my leader, and since I’m a fighter, you cannot betray me, and I keep quiet otherwise, the money that is being talked about, the treasurer should know, but the treasurer does not know where the money came from. The money did not reach Najjanankumbi?” (Francis Mwijuke, 17.07.2023).

Am happy to have been present during the consultative meeting by FDC members.

We love the FDC party more than we love our dia leaders.

We can therefore afford to sacrifice a member or a leader in office for the sake of keeping the party on course” (Moses Byamugisha, 17.07.2023).

Today is a sad day for the Forum for Democratic Change (FDC). No matter where you stand politically. The former opposition powerhouse is in self-destruction mode. I felt the party got hit badly enough by the “New Formation” and the Alliance for National Transformation (ANT). That split between Maj. Gen. Mugisha Muntu and the Dr. Kizza Besigye fraction was hitting the FDC too. As the moderates left and the ones who stood by Muntu went to ANT.

Now, it seems to be a brewing battle between a bunch of high ranking officials within the party. One part is the Patrick Oboi Amuriat and Nathan Nandala -Mafabi. These to have allegedly accepted funds from directly from Museveni, which cannot be traced.

That is being said a group lead by Ibrahim Nganda Ssemujju. Togetehre with Erias Lukwago, Doreen Nyanjura, Francis Mwijuke and Moses Byamugisha to name a few. It is obvious there is a big split now. As the FDC Electoral Road Map has been altered and questioned, yet again.

There is certain thing at play here. It is succession and possible people seeking to retain their offices. While others have bargained in the past for a better role. Therefore, there are a lot of possible allies and intrigue to be created. Several of people who has forged alliances and positioned themselves accordingly.

That’s why this could possibly damage the party more than when Muntu left the fold. If the ones having a National Consultative Meeting today starts a fresh or deflects to other parties. The FDC is losing valuable characters and people who has stood tall for the party for years. Except Lukwago who came from the DP recently. Though he has been a Besigye ally for years.

Some just seeing it as Mafabi’s time to run for Presidency. It’s his time after Amuriat and others wants to jump the queue. However, that isn’t far fetched, but speaking of moles and possible bribes from Museveni says there is more underneath all of this. The same was done with Muntu and his choices as a leader. Therefore, we should hope for better, but that’s too much to ask.

If certain high ranking officials leaves the party. It is all up to them to do so. However, they will have to find a new home and security, which they have today. They are established people within the party and would need time to be as respected or as influential outside. That’s what Muntu and his peers have found out.

Time will tell, but this is only beginning. This is a battle of power, prestige and possible future gravitas. That’s why they are doing this and they are trying to see who can end up supreme. Peace.

RDC: Forces Armees Republique Democratique du Congo (FARDC) – Etat-Major General – Communique de Presse – Encore un massacre perpetre par l’armee rwandaise et les M23 dans le territoire de Rutshuru (16.07.2023)

RDC: Alliance des Forces Democratiques du Congo (AFDC) – Communique (16.07.2023)

Zambia: Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation – Reaction to a Statement Circulating on Social Media (16.07.2023)

Kenya: Permanent Mission of the Republic Kenya at the United Nations and Other International Organisations – Geneva – Switzerland – Letter to the OHCHR (16.07.2023)

Opinion: ANT is a place of stagnation…

We can all appreciate the wits, the wisdom and the experience of the Maj. Gen. Mugisha Muntu. He is a seasoned politician and has character. Muntu is a man you can respect and acknowledge. There is a certain aura about him, but that doesn’t save him from criticism or questions about his demeanour.

When he didn’t become the incumbent Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) Party President he started his own consultation and with the reach of a “New Formation”. That in turn became the political party of Alliance for National Transformation. Several of allies from within the FDC joined him. Not only Paul Mwiru, but Alicia Aloso and Winnie Kiiza for that matter. These are well established former MPs and people who has a standing in the political sphere.

Muntu went ahead and created this party. He did so with under two years to the next general election. Leaving the FDC and getting fellow allies from the FDC on board. Which should have created a bigger buzz and more of prominence in the 2021 elections. However, that fell flat and the party is seemingly a brief-case party with lack of nationwide exposure.

Maj. Gen. Muntu might be a pragmatic fella. His fellow allies might be seasoned and diplomatic in their way of response and political outreach. It is fine that a political party wants to do civic education and build. Alas, they need high-ranking officials and needs people in offices across the Republic. If not its a party with a headquarters and a few paid staff.

ANT can have the best paperwork and policies. Heck, it can be answer to all the ills of the Republic. However, if it only stays within reach of a few chosen few and not spread far and wide. Well, it looses its value and is less attractive.

Muntu and his fellow inner-circle has chosen this path. They are careful and calculated. These folks don’t risk anything or push the boundaries of the party. No, they are just attentive and trying to catch straws when it can.

We cannot fault Muntu, everyone knew he was this way as he disregarded the way Besigye wanted to run the Presidential Campaigns. We know Muntu didn’t want no “defiance” and “boycotts”. No, he wanted to work and change from within. Like it was possible to negotiate and possibly parley for a better position over time. However, we have seen that it haven’t resolved anything and is a fruitless enterprise.

ANT from a far seems stagnate and on the losing end of a stick. In a more friendly and equal playing-field of multiparty democracy…. The ANT would have better position and be more viable. People are reluctant to side with them when they are not pushing against the oppression. When ANT are meagre and mediocre response to the mischief and the misgivings of the state. ANT could be poignant and sincere about it, but it rather be soft and clever.

Muntu and his inner-circle has to see what happened when an ally like Mwiru left the party. Mwiru was a part of his party-wing in the FDC. He now sees that there is no future and choice of viability in ANT. That’s why his becoming a journeyman to the NUP. Muntu should take this too heart. Because, sooner or later the voters, the members and whatnot might follow too. They are not seeing anything hopeful or substantial.

The only see the wise and the well thought through approaches that leads to nowhere. It seems so futile and slow. Muntu might have the best of intentions, but it seems so far-fetched and like his forcing his hand by not taking a proper stand or even pushing the party to prove its worth. If it wanted too, ANT could be more viable and be more visible. It could show heart and where it stands. However, that seems like too much to ask. It is a reason why the Serere By-Election didn’t go ANTs way. There is no reason to vote for it and hard to believe the pragmatism will be defining the opposition or the manner of which will be end of the dictatorship. Peace.

RDC: LUCHA – Communique de la LUCHA sur l’Assassinat de Cherubin Okende (15.07.2023)

Zimbabwe: ZANU-PF is willing to spend a fortune on a publicity stunt…

I wanna call Zimbabwe one of my homes and I wanna give back to the people in Zimbabwe; that’s what we (with President Mnangagwa) have been talking about today, you know just helping the country of Zimbabwe. The President is unbelievable. He is for the people and I told him he has my support 100 percent, so we need him brought back here, one is for a great cause, one is for the people” – Floyd Mayweather (13.07.2023)

President Emmerson Dambudzo Mnangagwa met with retired American boxer Floyd Mayweather at the Zimbabwean State House in Harare. The retired boxer arrived in Harare, Zimbabwe, on 13 July 2023” (MDN News, 14.07.2023).

That Floyd Mayweather took a flight and posed as a former boxer in Harare is just fine. It is something could have done on his own accord and organized through “The Money Team” (TMT). Alas, that wasn’t the case.

The ZANU-PF and their handlers spent a massive fortune and expenses to host the former boxer. They used his profile and influence to aspire young voters. While Mayweather himself has been in a lot of controversy and court cases of late. So, the ZANU-PF really knows how to pick-em.

Mayweather has been shilling crypto-currencies, NFTs and selling questionable products to his fans. While doing all sorts of questionable activities at best. It is just like ZANU-PF knows how to pick a fellow brother from another mother.

If Mayweather was there as a private entity or an individual on a vacation. Then there would be no hoopla or any sort of outcry. It would just be a celebrity visiting Zimbabwe and taking a few snap-shots in Harare. However, that wasn’t the bargain of this trip.

No Mayweather was flown in, paid and gotten vast amount of money to play the tunes of ZANU-PF. He did this as a business venture and to boost the ego of President Emmerson Mnangagwa. Just so he got the pictures and the crowds surging. Because, the ZANU-PF can’t really promise anything new or say they will deliver.

The 2nd Republic is more of the same old, but with the horrific oppression and use of the state machinery to silence dissidents. The ZANU-PF don’t care and they will use all means in the books to take out or ensure the demise of the ones who opposes it.

So, it is very telling that Mayweather got a script and had to the dance. He earned easy money and could easily take a flight back to United States of America without having to feel the real pressure or troubles of the Republic. He was there only to spice up things and give the impression of greatness in the eyes of ZANU-PF.

However, this isn’t a good look for Mayweather or ZANU-PF. They are both losers here. Because, ZANU-PF isn’t solving any of its problems. The state which is crippled, lacking of basics and not having any sort of remedy to make change. A military government which isn’t willing to budge or listen. Only decree and bamboozle the citizens. That’s what it does and this up coming election will only solidify this… Peace.