






Is the line working? Are there someone answering on the other side? Did we dial the number correctly? Is the East African Community (EAC) functional or is a front?
I don’t know… but things aren’t splendid at the moment. There are several of cases pending and issues going on, which says otherwise. While the EAC Secretariat is busy pleading to the nations of finding amicable responses. There is little to no feedback or concern about these statements.
Yes, the Tanzanian authorities barred Kenyan Airways today. While Kenyan high ranking officials had spoken ill of the Rwandan regime and they wanted another sort of apology in return, which we have never heard. The Ugandan authorities on the other hand has suspended the imports of petrol through Kenya and has sued the Kenya cartels in the EAC Courts.
The Democratic Republic of Congo have on the other hand gone after Rwanda and said if it doesn’t stop the “proxy war” inside the DRC. Kinshasa might invade Kigali in the future. That’s not a good look for the EAC and having the DRC as one of the newest members of it.
Burundi has also dwelled into murky waters over a “claimed” Rwandan supported proxy militia attacking on Burundian soil. Which has resulted in the closure of borders to Rwanda and suspending diplomatic ties with Kigali. Therefore, things aren’t looking good.
Neither of these things are new in the EAC. There been closure of borders between Uganda-Rwanda in past. There been blockade of trading certain goods between Uganda-Kenya like Chickens. The Kenyan authorities has blocked certain trades with Somalia, which has also become a member of the EAC. Therefore, there is no common market or protocol that opens up for a true free flow of goods, yet.
The ones leading the EAC must have a headache. There is no solemn peace or gratitude. Only more grievances and more work to fix things. The South Sudanese and the President in Juba must feel the plight of the chair. This time around it isn’t only fixing on issue or a diplomatic spat over some contested rock or policy. No, it is real life consequences and things that can spiral out of hand. There is guns and money involved here and this is why President Kiir needs advisors who can navigate this with care.
The EAC needs mediation and better one than the ones that issued after the 2015 General Elections in Burundi. The Inter-Dialogue that was sponsored there was fruitless and hot-air, which is why the CNDD-FDD isn’t caring about transparency or accountability for its actions. This will not help when Juba calls Gitega and asks for a mediation process between them and Kigali. No, this here will be a prolonged stalemate, unless Mbeki or someone Goodluck Jonathan or something comes with some magic juices to salvage the hurt of the parties.
Alas, that will be needed between Tanzania-Kenya, Uganda is using the mechanisms, but at the same time Nairobi cannot be kiddy about the claims or the end-game. As Dodoma is getting the cash and the export-tariffs through it’s ports instead.
The DRC-Rwanda will be a forever debacle and as long the historical ties between proxies and Kigali exists. This will not be sorted out by the EAC and the EAC Force is already history. The SADC has come in, but we don’t know if it will stop the insurgency or the militias operating in the DRC. Most likely it will not as it has been a root cause of evil for decades now and foreign operates has profited of the slaughter and the “blood resources” of the DRC. That never changes and the EAC will not be able to stop that either.
The EAC seems like a good idea on paper, but when it lack resources, manpower and an army to run it. There is little to add weight other than the President residing on the throne temporarily and the hopes of good gestures. There is a need for humility and respect of fellow peers, but that’s maybe to much to ask, as the rising arrogance and self-serving interests are more important than winning hearts across the border. That’s why neighbours spats and we are seeing these acts happening in our time.
The EAC is maybe crumbling, but that’s not Kiir’s or the South Sudanese fault. They are just at the helm at the wrong time. The ones in office and who carries the heavy load. At one point they might have wished better fortunes, but this is the cards they are dealt.
It is not fair and it never is. There is a need for redemption and for talks. If the parties will, it would be splendid. The cases between Kenya-Uganda and Tanzania-Kenya could be settled rather easily, but the ones between DRC-Rwanda and Burundi-Rwanda is much more hostile. These will take some serious negotiations and dialogue, which would need foreign intervention or possible respected statesmen from far away to support the talks. Peace.


“#Ethiopian PM Abiy Ahmed is expected to visit Berbera this week to finalise the MoU between Ethiopia and #Somaliland over port access and recognition. Demeke Mekonnen, Deputy PM, has already arrived in Hargeisa. Abiy will be the first sitting Ethiopian leader to visit Somaliland” (Sahan Research, 15.01.2024).
“SOURCES: Ethiopian PM expected to visit Berbera this week to finalize the agreement his government made with Somaliland on Jan 1. A delegation led by Ethiopia’s Deputy Prime Minister has arrived in Hargeisa today to plan for Abiy Ahmed’s visit” (Garowe Online, 15.01.2024).
Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed Ali and the FDRE is continuing on the path to access to the Red Sea and stop being a landlocked nation. That is being done by the agreement made with Hargeisa or the Republic of Somaliland to lease certain amount of territories or port in the nation. Therefore, Abiy is continuing to play with fire.
The lawmakers and the rulers of Mogadishu have reacted to the MoU and said the deal is “null and void”. They have enacted laws stopping the agreement between the Ethiopian government and the Somaliland government. Which are now not only challenged, but tested by the leadership of Addis Ababa.
PM Abiy is willing to destroy diplomatic ties and continuity of amicable relations with Somalia over a favorable agreement with Somaliland. That’s what his doing and this will cause a friction between Addis and Mogadishu. While Hargeisa gets a validation and awaiting the recognition it needs as a separatist republic from the Federal Government of Somalia (FGS). Somaliland hopes the FDRE gives what the FGS will not give them. Therefore, the sale of territory and getting recognition is more important to the leaders of Hargeisa.
This is about sovereigns and who has the rights to act. It is also about old grievances and involvement, as Mogadishu feels scorn and Hargeisa says “back-off”. While Addis are an external force in it all doing the bidding for own selfish interests. Meanwhile everyone see’s what is at stake and the other IGAD nations should look how this one plays out.
The IGAD seems like a fish out of water and lack control of the matter. The planned meetings and dialogue will lose all steam if Abiy travels to Somaliland. Then the talks with Somalia is over before it happens. Because why should they talk to a man that defies them and doesn’t respect them?
Abiy has already decided, and he needs to “win” this as his “losing” on the home front. There is little to cheer for at home and the FDRE is weaken by years of internal conflict. He needs a victory to salvage the hurt. That’s what he does, and this is an easy one. Even if he destroys all relations with Somalia and becomes an enemy of Mogadishu. That’s the outcome here and it’s tragic really.
This here is a detriment to the relations in the IGAD nations and at the Horn of Africa. As Abiy endanger them all over his own pride and glory. He wants to rule over land, air, and sea. That’s why he does this to enlarge his throne and create a massive legacy. Alas, his also possibly creating another conflict and playing with more fire.
By visiting Hargeisa and Berbera this week… his putting more gasoline on the fire and doing it willingly too. That’s the reality here and he won’t mind because this is a flawed victory for him. Peace.

Doctors and their professional organizations must clarify the health consequences of armed conflict and their impact on patients and the health system. They must also highlight the nature of the suffering caused by war, which can extend over many generations and decades.
When doctors treat the wounded and sick, they are morally bound to the principle of treatment without any considerations regarding the gender, race, nationality, religion, or political opinions of the patients. The focus must be on providing health services to everyone who needs them fairly, without bias and regardless of For any other criteria.
The targeting of hospitals, medical personnel and medical transports, the closure of access to health care, the forced occupation of facilities, and the shooting of doctors and patients are among the most disturbing features of the current conflict and require Article 3, common to the four Geneva Conventions of 1949, which is binding on all parties to an armed conflict. International Cooperation in Sudan, that the wounded and sick be collected and cared for. Customary international humanitarian law also provides special protection for hospitals, medical units and health-care workers
When health care and its providers are exposed to danger in this way, international and regional agencies and organizations working in the field of health care and relief are forced to reconsider providing the service, as the World Health Organization recently suspended its operations to preserve the lives of workers, and Doctors Without Borders withdrew from working in a number of… Cities within areas of military clashes.
When initiating the opening and operation of health facilities in areas of military clashes, partnerships must be established with international health and humanitarian organizations in order to ensure safe and impartial access for patients and medical teams to health facilities.
Providing continuous support and necessary medical supplies after determining the type of health services required, the necessary resources, and the best ways to provide these services in a conflict environment.
Armed parties to the conflict must perform the following roles towards health facilities and personnel operating in areas under their control:
1- Commitment to protecting health facilities and not being exposed to them, storming them, or being inside them and using them as a base for military attacks.
2- Protect health personnel and ensure their safety and not be targeted by any attacks or threats. They must be protected and ensured that they are not exposed to danger.
3- Commitment to international humanitarian laws and human rights with regard to the protection of health facilities and personnel.
4- Ensuring access to health care to the affected areas and allowing the delivery of medical aid to facilities and patients.
5- Facilitating humanitarian procedures related to health work, including opening safe corridors and paths for health personnel, patients, and companions, and for the delivery of medicines, medical aid, and humanitarian aid.
6- Providing the necessary resources and capabilities for health care work, including medicines, medical equipment, and health facilities.
7- Cooperating with humanitarian and international organizations to ensure effective provision of health care.
8- Non-interference in medical affairs and respect for the independence of medical decisions.
Preliminary Committee of the Sudanese Medical Syndicate – Information Office
Saturday, January 14, 2023

“We have also lost more than a million lives due to the open genocidal war declared against us, let alone the destruction of property in our homes and villages. This is not a number but our brother, sister, father, mother, children … but our person, dignity and identity in general. Following this, we as a people and as a country are in immense heartache and physical misery. Moreover, the drought and famine we are facing is killing the lives of infants, pregnant women, mothers and the elderly. And there can never be anything more heartbreaking than seeing our country Tigray fall into question marks of existence or non-existence due to the open genocidal war declared against us, cruel drought and famine” (Tigray Independence Party, 13.01.2024).
The conditions of the Tigray Region haven’t become any better since the Cessation of Hostilities Agreement (CoH) in Pretoria, South Africa. The Tigray Interim Regional Administration haven’t the mandate or the power to make a difference. The Interim Administration has called out the Federal Government and the International Community to help them out. However, that has all fallen on deaf ears.
Now the Opposition Party, Tigray Independence Party (TIP) has released their Press Release called “Hunger knows no condition!!” and what it says is tragic. The reports from the Tigray region should worry anyone and that after the brutal war that was fought by the Tripartite Alliance against the Tigrayan people. Therefore, what TIP is saying is a sign of a worrying trend and a cycle of deaths that is never ceasing. Now the people aren’t dying out of conflict, but out of starvation/hunger. That’s a result of the warfare and of the lack of re-building of the regional state.
TIP says: “The “Tigray Emergency Response (TER)” task force has been established as a crucial national task force. We cannot overcome the terrible famine that has been looming over us since early November. We have started and will probably start in the future when we work responsibly, reliably and determinedly based on the rights of the task forces for the safety of our people.
Of course, we can avoid this immense danger not only by using our own capabilities, but even by mobilizing the capabilities of the international community” (TIP, 13.01.2024).
This famine has been known and been warned about. Since the war there been a humanitarian catastrophe in the Tigray region. As humanitarian assistance has been blocked and the agricultural sector been hurt by war. That has been done with targeted and bureaucratic hurdles to ensure the demise of more people in Tigray. Now that the cessation of hostilities haven’t stopped this and neither has there been reports of steady stream of humanitarian assistance to the region either. Therefore, the continued plight has persisted.
TIP further says: “The leadership and members of our cluster and district organizations should monitor the activities of this task force and whether the aid is reaching the beneficiaries properly; If you ’ve noticed any weaknesses or signs of corruption, please inform the TIP headquarters. Hunger knows no conditions!” (TIP, 13.01.2024).
You know things are bad when the opposition doesn’t trust the TIRA or the TPLF. They are worried that they will eat the aid and not give it to the starving. That is telling in the middle of this crisis and wants a word if people knows. It is really sad things are boiling down to this. The Tigray region needs help and the crisis cannot be forgotten. Yet another famine that continues the trend of destruction and desperation in Tigray.
TIP is only speaking out for the ones in need. They want the TIRA/TPLF to do what they need to do and asks others to help them so they can. This is the sad reality and so many people needs help and they cannot wait for tomorrow. Peace.

It has been revealed over the weekend that there was plans ans a plot to assassinate Captain Ibrahim Traoré in Ouagadougou. This isn’t first or the last plot to overthrow him. It is apparent several forces within that is activated and hoping to find the moment that the Captain and his loyalists are weak. Therefore, what happened now will appear again like it has for some time.
That there is coup d’etat’s in Burkina Faso isn’t anything new. This was also the way that Captain Traoré took power. No one would be in shock or awe if it happened again. It is just how power resides and how it is taken away. Instead of elections, there are coups…
The main culprit and schemer behind the plot is Hamidou Kabore, a supposed uncle of the captain. Kabore had made an elaborate scheme to plant a bomb in the house which the Captain stays the most at in the capital. As he knows he has four homes and would try to do so at the residence in Bonheur ville. However, the man was captured and there is over 398 audio recordings, which proves the plot and how they planned to execute it.
It is really showing how these things are going, as the Captain is a target and is far from safe. Not only from outside forces which wants to get rid of him. While insiders and people from within is trying to take him out too.
This junta government that has a massive pressure to deliver and live on the words of the Captain. They got even more trouble and heavy lifting ahead, as they have to navigate the likelihood of sponsored and coup-plot by proxies too. Just so certain former colonial powers and others gets a foothold in Ouagadougou again.
The Captain must know this and have to be even more careful. It wasn’t that long ago since he foiled another coup plot in December. Just within two months time there been two foiled coups against him. That is saying something. His far from safe and isn’t settled yet.
The interim President has only been in office since 30th September 2022 and there been several attempts to overthrow him. This is the latest one and shows that his not fully supported or have around trusting his judgment. There are others who conspire and plans to find a moment of weakness or when his a little bit slow. That moment will eventually come.
Even if the Captain is a young soldier and an army commander. Still, like any human he has moments of lacking judgment or clarity. That’s when someone wants to strike… and that’s how he got into office.
Therefore this saga will continue and it won’t be last to try to overthrow him. Unless, he does so much popular moves and get the people behind. That the people wants to shield him, even if they never elected him. This is the only way he can stay in office and be a beloved leader. Not only challenge the former colonial power and try to galvanize the troops. There is a need for more and if he don’t…
The Captain will become a prey to the same beast that he roared in September 2022… Peace.
