Opinion: Macron won’t release his “Françafrique” just yet…

“The problem of Nigeriens today is putschists who are putting them in danger, because they are abandoning the fight against terrorism, because they are abandoning a policy which was economically good for them, and because they are losing all the international funding that was enabling them to get out of poverty” – President Emmanuel Macron (LSI Africa, 28.08.2023).

We are seeing the desperation from Paris. Paris is losing their vassal states and the ones who has been under wings under “independence”. These nations are now addressing Paris in a manner, which it haven’t been before. While the “French Interests” has come before the National Interests of these “independent” states themselves. In this regard, Niger.

Niger has treated unfairly and unkindly. It has been a place of looting and control from Paris. They have found “mechanisms” and means to an end. That has been done through military assistance or other means. Just to be the “white saviour” who happens to take home the valuable assets from where-ever they where stationed for hot minute. That’s what Paris has done and they thought they could continue this practice for forever.

They thought they could loot, steal and have a say in national affairs all over Sahel region. The French thought they could use power and influence to get “interests” which benefits Paris. That to still be seen as an empire and be a big deal. The French has been proud of this method. The way it keeps of colonial practices and “liberation” agreements, which binds the nations with the French. It isn’t for fun or games, but for profit and gold. The French wants to extract and get as much resources as possible for cheap. That’s why they finessed the “liberators” who signed off on horrific agreements, but they did so in the best possible manner. Since then they have been guaranteed pressure and potential setbacks from Paris.

That’s why the junta government in Niamey was the final straw for Macron and the elites of Paris. They have already tasted the bitter fruits in Burkina Faso, Mali and Guinea. Now Niger is following suit. Being a block of nations of former French colonies who strikes back. The Empire wants to strike back this time. They want their puppet and friend regime in office. Not people who see who the French really are. No, they want to the ones who are willing to budge and be a token soldier for France. That’s all it is and the resigned President in Niger is one of them.

The French doesn’t care about democracy or democratic values in “Francafrique”. This is the same people who are happy with the family dynasties of Togo, Tchad and Gabon. The nation who are backing Biya in Cameroon and so fourth. There so many questionable leaders that the French are supporting in Africa and they still wants to be the voices of reason. When we see what sort of men they shaking hands with and giving favourable treatment. Seriously, the junta of Niamey is the least problem the French has on its hands.

We have seen Macron been disrespectful to Algeria and elsewhere during his tenure in office. Yet again, he shows the French arrogance and belief that they “own” and has a “unique” right to be there. If they are there now and has a mandate. That should be decided by Niamey and not by Paris. Just like Niamey shouldn’t decide what is happening in Paris. That is sovereignty and Paris should respect that. However, neocolonialism and French arrogance stands in the way of that.

A man of Macron stature should understand this, but his jaded with power. That’s why he behaves like this and even uses the “war on terror” as an excuse to overstay in Niger. This is all up to the Head of State of Niger and his fellow dignitaries in office. They are the ones deciding this on behalf of Niger. It isn’t up to Macron to decide that.

Macron isn’t a white saviour and the French state haven’t saved their former colonies. Instead it has kept them in chains and shackles. Under a bureaucratic mess and vast amount of agreements, which has haunted them since “independence”. So, he should be more careful and be grateful that it lasted this long. Peace.

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Ethiopia: Amhara is burning…

Right now… there is a never ending stories of atrocities committed on a regular basis. That is being done by the Ethiopian National Defence Forces (ENDF) and their enemies the Amhara Popular Front (APF).

The APF consist of “Fano” the regional paramilitary unit, which was also a key ally in the invasion and war against Tigray. As well, as other fellow military trained recruits from the Amhara. Some are said to be former Amhara Regional Special Force, which was forced to disband and become a direct part of the ENDF in a restructuring effort of the Federal Government. Alas, that has all backfired and the conflict is spiralling out of hand.

The Federal Government have appointed yet another Regional President like it matters. The fifth since Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed Ali took office. While the war is persisting and the “guerrilla” or “militia” tactics of the APF/Fano is working. As they are gaining grounds and territories as the days go by. It just shows that the conventional warfare of ENDF isn’t winning the war. Neither is the drones or other sophisticated methods that the ENDF is currently doing. As the APF/Fano can use the uncertainty and the ambush means to conquer their enemy.

This is a war over consolidating power. That’s the end-game here and the ones who wins will get the price. As the loser will taste the bitter fruits of not only the loss, but also see the victor parade the skeletons in-front of his face. The APF/Fano is working on overtime to serve its objectives. They are undermining and showing the ENDF that they are a threat to reckon with. The ENDF should feel humiliated and hurt by all of this. They are fighting brothers in arms and over petty things, actually.

If Fano and the Regional Special Forces had accepted to be part of the ENDF. This war would have ended and been avoided. We know there is more to it. Nevertheless, that is a key component that we cannot forget. APF/Fano can fight for independence and for self-control. However, the FDRE and the Prosperity Party will never accept that. Just like it didn’t accept the independence and the lack of bond with the Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF), which is what lead to the bloody war in Tigray Region.

Now the same conflict, the same pain and suffering is happening in Amhara region. The same Medemer Terror and it’s committed on a daily basis. New families are losing homes, schools are destroyed and people are either killed or arrested. There are so many innocent lives that are caught in between the fighting parties. This is happening on people’s plots, in proximity of neighbourhoods and in general affecting all walks of life.

The Amhara region is feeling the “unity” and “national awaking” in the way that only the Prime Minister Abiy can offer. He cannot offer sustainable peace or liberty of people. The warlord can only order more war. His a man who settles things with guns and hopes his enemies get silent. That’s what he does… and his proud of making people stop.

This war is just continuing. The war that is making the Amhara region burn. The flame of the conflict is turning it’s evil manoeuvres and hurting innocent bystanders. People are fleeing, hungry and dying. This is what is happening in 2023.

Brothers in Arms are now fighting each other. Just mere months ago these would have fought in the same battlefield and for the same cause. Now they are turning their guns against each other. That’s the brutal truth in this and population is paying the price of this conflict. They are seeing the bullets, the drones and the death.

The flame will only be alive as long as it is getting oxygen. The moment someone puts a lid on it or tries to blow it out. There will be no burning, be no heat and no concern. It would be amazing, but at this current time. The flames and the fire will just continue. The blue flame will be visible and we will know the damage. The hurt and the ones who died for their cause. That is bound to happen… the ENDF is only willing to annihilate the APF/Fano, as it is has promised to do in similar campaigns in Oromia and the Ogaden. Peace.

A look into the “RSF vision” for a “new” Sudan…

“RSF vision for a comprehensive settlement to end the war and to build a new Sudan, with inclusive national institutions based on democratic values, and governed by a democratically elected government” (Hemeti, 27.08.2023).

Yesterday, Gen. Mohamed Hamdan Daglo aka Hemeti released the document called: “Sudan Reborn – A Vision for a New State”. A document which is supposed to state what the Rapid Support Force (RSF) or the Janjaweed stands for. While the militia and warlords of the RSF are ravaging the nation in a bloody war after a failed third coup d’etat attempt.

It was rich reading this from the RSF: “Governance should be democratic and civilian, predicated on free and fair elections at all levels of government. This empowers all Sudanese citizens to participate actively and genuinely in shaping their political destiny. Those governing at various political levels should be represented fairly, reflecting Sudan’s diverse regions through representative structures agreed upon by all regions” (Hemeti, 27.08.2023).

Knowing the history of the RSF and the Janjaweed. We know what sort of ideals and structure he has built over the years. That’s why he thought he had enough momentum and able bodies to ensure a swift victory in the coup d’etat. We know that Hemeti is all about power and prestige. A man who don’t want to lose wealth or influence. If he believed in this RSF Vision…. He would have listened to Resistance Committee’s a long time ago. Alas, that haven’t been the case. So, I have a hard time believing this paragraph to say the least.

It continues: “There is an indispensable need to dismantle illegitimate monopolistic tendencies of power and influence, whether narrow ideological, partisan, familial, tribal, or regional, in order to give power back to the masses. Sudan must be founded as a genuine republic where power and influence are held by all Sudanese citizens, who could differ in political status only through fair and free elections within a genuine federal democratic system that is based on power-sharing and participation” (Hemeti, 27.08.2023).

Hemeti must think people are naive. That people will buy into this stick and believe his words. While they are fine and dandy. However, his time in the Transitional Sovereign Council showed he was more interested in building his power-base and ensure his own reign. It was more important to uphold the army control and the calculated malicious state to overpower the public. Because, that was how the Sovereign Council overcame obstacles and stifled any sort of transition to a civilian government. A civilian government that would have clipped his wings and made him less of prestigious leader.

It continues: “The broadest possible political and social base for participation in political parties, civil society organizations, and interest groups, must be ensure. This includes, in particular the inclusion of women, youth, and minorities from all regions of Sudan. This must transpire without the drowning of political negotiations with elements of the old regime and its anti-democratic forces” (Hemeti, 27.08.2023).

The militia or the organization Hemeti is running is an anti-democratic forces. So, he will practically dismantle himself and his own unit. That’s if the RSF or the General believes in these words. A paragraph that is fine itself, but seems far fetched or like fiction coming from janjaweed…

The final paragraph I will discuss: “From our perspective, negotiation issues encompass, but are not limited to; the creation of a new national and professional army; the transitional period and civilian transitional governance; comprehensive and sustainable just peace; the federal system and its structures, levels, authorities, and resource allocation; transitional justice; democratic transition mechanisms such as elections and population census; the national and professional nature of civil service and public institutions; the issue of separating the state from narrow identity affiliations, be they religious, cultural, or ethnic; the matter of Sudanese languages; and the process of constitution-making” (Hemeti, 27.08.2023).

This here is like Gen. Hemeti just took all the buzz words from the era of the Transitional Sovereign Council, whatever the civilian negotiators has spoken about and whoever did enlighten him on governance. Because, this is just addressing and re-igniting what the Transitional Sovereign Council and the agreement between the civilian stakeholders and the military was bound to do. These are things that Hemeti has already promised and participated in. Alas, he was never interested in achieving it or accomplishing it. Because, we all know that would his and other allies downfall from prominence. They wouldn’t be in office or have such titles to their names.

That’s why the “new” Sudan or the RSF Vision is flawed. Hard to digest or believe is real. As the General has counteracted the same paragraphs. As a General and as man with vast power during the times of the Transitional Sovereign Council he could have made a difference. However, he chose not too and didn’t work on these things. That’s for one simple reason. It wouldn’t benefit him to do so. This is why I don’t believe him now or the RSF vision as a whole. Nice PR and fluff for the Janjaweed friendly press. However, the reality is that this would never be implemented or be part of the agenda when daily would return. General Hemeti and allies has to much to loose and they wouldn’t be willing to sacrifice all of that for the nation. If they would… they wouldn’t have tried to make a third coup and prolong the war like they have done already. Peace.

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