Union des Comores: Communique du Gouvernement de l’Union des Comores (28.11.2023)

Sierra Leone: All Peoples Congress (APC) – Statement on the 26th November, Security Breach (27.11.2023)

Republique Centrafricaine: Mouvement de Liberation du Peuple Centrafricain (MLPC) – Communique de Presse (27.11.2023)

Philippines: Government & CPP-NPA-NDFP – Joint Statement (23.11.2023)

Sierra Leone: Sierra Leone Police – Public Notice (27.11.2023)

Palestine: Permanent Observer Mission of the State of Palestine to the United Nations letter to the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) – (27.11.2023)

Ethiopia: NAMa calls for a ceasefire to end the war in Amhara

“War should be stopped, doors of peace talks and negotiations should be opened! As a country, we know the damage of war in practice; our wound is not yet healed; we are not recovered from our sickness; we are not saved from the huge social economic and political crisis caused by the war” (National Movement of Amhara, 26.11.2023).

Yesterday, the National Movement of Amhara (NAMa) published a statement called “War should be stopped, doors of peace talks and negotiations should be opened!”. The NAMa is now calling upon the government and authorities to have talks with the stakeholders in the conflict in the Amhara region. This is another voice than the same party who was war-mongering in Tigray.

NAMa is speaking with a difference voice and rhetoric now that the war has come home. NAMa was fine and dandy with the tactics, the means and strategy in the War of the North. They are now calling out the government for doing the same and similar acts in Amhara region.

So reading this in 2023 just shows how quickly things changes. Yes, the war in Amhara region is wrong, but so was it in Tigray. A war that NAMa was supporting and defending. They even called for prolonging it and annihilate the TPLF. Therefore, we should have in mind when reading their statement today.

Where they said this: “The fact that the Amhara people repeatedly raised their questions in a peaceful way is not getting the appropriate attention and response from the government, raising the questions peacefully is considered weakness has made our people vulnerable to war and lack of peace. The lack of stage when our people showed full support for peace after the war and invasion, the people in the streets who make it look like there is a change in the formation of power and break the line The lack of relations, the public speeches of some high government officials who lack principles and irresponsibility, and the peaceful atmosphere that our people hoped for has led to widespread suspicion and conspiracy analysis rather than becoming a reality. The fact that the victories gained by the unity and the struggle of our people are not properly counted has become a source of concern” (NAMa, 26.11.2023).

The Amhara region during the Prosperity Party era was thriving as a result of war. They were a vital part of the Tripartite Alliance and one trusted ally of the Prime Minister. There was a leadership in Bahir Dar and Gonder that was in coordination and a helping hand to the conflict elsewhere. The Regional Special Forces and the Amhara para-military group “FANO” was partaking and promoting the war in Tigray. This is why the speaking of “peace” and such isn’t all real.

We know the Amhara region and the leadership of war wasn’t uneasy when the PM planned to consolidate power further and take control of not only the Regional Special Forces or Fano for that matter. This is why the Amhara answered the Federal Government and the conflict began. The Amhara region didn’t want to lose their power or their control of arms. This is why they went to war and Amhara Popular Front (APF) has been thriving. Therefore, NAMa isn’t addressing it, but instead pinning it all on PP.

NAMa continues: “We call for the government to create a platform to give answers and explanations to the honest questions raised by our people and to open the doors for the armed forces and declare an immediate ceasefire” (NAMa, 26.11.2023).

This is the same party that had war-cries and wanted to continue another way in another region. Now, they calls for peace, because they are hurting themselves and the war turned on them instead. NAMa is right in it, but they should have come with a different manner of saying this. As they fought for “unity” in the North, but that’s what the PP claims they are doing in Amhara. So, they are seeing what the Tigrayan saw in previous years.

NAMa says this: “To all the fighting forces; to prevent the current cost of living, market instability and other social crises from worsening; to make open the roads for basic commodities, medicines and special goods; to make social services such as education and health services reach the people without interruption; to the government to provide humanitarian aid in drought areas; to the non-governmental partner We call for organizations to make their support available without limits and other service institutions and religious institutions to be protected so that they are not harmed by the conflict” (NAMa, 26.11.2023).

Here we are seeing the same tactics and means of war to destroy the enemies of the state. NAMa is describing what the Amhara did in Tigray. While they where cheering on this in Tigray. They are now crying out loud to stop this in Amhara. It was wrong in Tigray and it is wrong in Amhara. However, NAMa never ceased or stopped their vilification of the TPLF or Tigray for that matter. This is why I feel their wrong voice of reason here. The Amhara region doesn’t deserve a war or a conflict where innocent civilians are caught in the cross-fire, neither does any other region of Ethiopia. However, we have seen that happening and ENDF are now targeting the Amhara as a main target.

I’m just amazed that they ended the statement with this: “We call upon all Amharas and Ethiopians living in the country and abroad to give friendly and honest support to the humanitarian crisis and the overall economic and social disaster that is happening at this time; encourage peaceful talks and discussions, and take a responsible action based on the value of our people that bring people closer to the people” (NAMa, 26.11.2023).

We should all seek peace, but NAMa asks for that for the sake Amhara, but wouldn’t do the same for others. Yes, war shouldn’t destroy or deplete the Amhara region. Alas, the same should have never happened in Tigray region either. Nevertheless, it did and the Amhara region has been hurt by the conflict. They took up the guns and rebelled against the state. A national army willing to retaliate and show its powers. Therefore, this was a bloodshed in a making and civilian lives has been lost.

If there is peace and the stakeholders of the conflict has signed a ceasefire or a transitional agreement. That would benefit the PM and give him way to focus on a new conflict elsewhere. That’s how the PM and PP acts… and if the guns is silenced one place. They are preparing to attack another one. Peace.

Opinion: Kicking out an MP from a Committee – shows how the Speaker whips her will

“The Speaker guided Parliament and all its Committee that our colleagues who are currently boycotting plenary shouldn’t participate in the meetings of committees and field visits by the committees and I know that Hon Ssekitoleko is in that category. I am constrained to request him to take leave of the meeting until such time that they officially report to the plenary. The guidance of the Speaker is biding on Parliament and its Committees, unfortunately, I will not contravene the guidance of the Speaker. So kindly take leave and let us transact the business of the Committee in your absence” – Fox Odoi MP (27.11.2023)

Today, Robert Ssekitoleko (Bamunanika County MP), a member of the National Unity Platform (NUP) was kicked out of the Legal and Parliamentary Affairs Committee sitting. This isn’t shocking or surprising.

What we are seeing today is how the Speaker Anita Among orders are fulfilled by fellow Members of Parliament. Fox Odoi MP wants to be in the good graces of the speaker, which is why Ssekitoleko MP isn’t allowed to participate or be an active member of the Legal and Parliamentary Affairs Committee. That’s because his boycotting plenary sessions in the August House until the Government and the Executive addresses the missing people, the abducted ones, the long-detained political prisoners and the ones tortured, even the ones who has been extra judicially killed. All of these are not answered for, which is the point of the boycott.

Speaker Among is just getting people more unto the activism and the modus operandi of the security organizations of the state. Their ills and the injustice is amplified. Because, every time someone adheres to her orders. These people are by default getting more eyes on the impunity of the state. Meanwhile, the Parliament or the Speaker aren’t getting any better. They are still not addressing the matter and the ones who is in custody of the state.

Fox Odoi MP just followed orders and doesn’t want to defy his master. That’s why he kicked the NUP MP out of the Committee. This is just a show and prove their actions has consequences. Though we are discussing the people who are missing or behind bars without proper charges or trials, which the Ministers and the Executive could address the House. Though, we know the will of the state to do so, is close to none and it’s shows.

If the Speaker thinks her strategy is wise. Well, her actions are only amplifying the voices for the ones in need. It isn’t showing her strength or resilience. Neither is it a policy of strengthening her office or codes of conduct within the House. All of that is a failure… and further just shows that she wants to prove point, but it will end up pointless.

The Speaker can direct and make a mockery of committees by kicking out opposition members. Just like the one happening today. However, that only gives us more reasons to speak about the political prisoners and prisoners of conscience… they will be spoken about even more and tarnish the name of the Parliament. As the House isn’t addressing it or even trying to have an oversight of security organizations who does this to civilians. Peace.

Western Sahara: Geneva Support Group for the Protection and Promotion of Human Rights in Western Sahara – UN Working Group on Arbitrary Detention tells Morocco to immediately release Western Sahara’s Gdeim Izik prisoners (27.11.2023)

Sierra Leone: Ministry of Information and Civic Education – Update on the Nationwide Curfew (Corrected) – (26.11.2023)