R.I.P USAID: No more “soft power” from the Washington D.C.

“Trump Administration Announces 90% Cut to USAID Foreign Aid Contracts. The Trump administration has announced plans to eliminate more than 90% of the U.S. Agency for International Development’s foreign aid contracts and reduce overall U.S. assistance by $60 billion, signaling a major rollback of development and humanitarian aid worldwide” (The Sphere Report, 27.02.2025).

On the 5^th February 2025 I said the USAID was dead. That was prematurely, as the USAID of today is broken, depleted and now on its actual deathbed. The USAID was for a moment saved by Court Orders, but these are set aside or not honoured by the State Department under Secretary Marco Rubio who just follows orders and has no terminated most of the USAID contracts. Which means the USAID operation is halted and stopped.

The USAID is now ceasing to be history. The one institution that did a good deed, also questionable things too, but the U.S. is just stopping it completely. The U.S. agency which did good and acted in good fate is now soon no more.

The Trump Administration is just proving what it can do and what it is willing to do. This will harm thousands of people. Not only the employees within the United States that rely on it and has been staff of USAID. No, USAID has also bought American produce and products to give away as aide to other nations. USAID has helped American businesses and industries, as these have been donated and given these products to the ones in need. Therefore, it has been a goodwill activity, but also on that has given benefits to Americans too. That’s a part of the equation the Republicans won’t care about or be concerned about either. As it doesn’t hit the elites, but the working class and possible farmers in rural areas.

USAID will cause harm for plenty. There will a massive shift, stoppage of imports of medicines, supply and equipment to health care and more harm to society in general. This is states that has been beneficiary of the USAID programs and these have been covering the shortcomings of these nations own Ministry of Health and other entities who are serving their public. The USAID had such vast and logistical operations that served the communities, the ones who fell sick and had medicines, which these citizens couldn’t afford and neither the nations themselves. Therefore, the USAID came in an hour of need and did something worth-while.

Now PREFAR and other programs are gone. The various UN organizations and other bilateral organizations will feel the pinch. As the funds and operational funding goes away over night. The grants and funds of USAID has been vital and there will be a lack of resources because of this. There will be NGOs, CSOs and the Multi-National Organizations who are damaged by this. The sort of organizations that has worked and done so on a mission to serve the ones in need. They have been there and covered for shortfalls of other nations. These are now left behind and that will be felt.

We are now seeing the Trump Administration are disconnecting itself from the world. The U.S. is taking away these billions to give tax-relief to their own billionaires and ultra-wealthy. These funds will feed the rich 1% of the USA and it was taken away from the ones who needed the most.

Let me end this with a fitting bible verse for the day. Peace.

“He that oppresseth the poor to increase his riches, and he that giveth to the rich, shall surely come to want” (Proverbs 22:16, King James Version).

Ukraine: U.S. isn’t an ally of Europe or Kyiv…

“The White House has canceled a scheduled joint news conference with President Donald Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, a senior official confirms. Trump asked Zelensky to leave the White House after a tense Oval Office meeting” (Natalie Allison, 28.02.2025).

Today’s sparing match between the President Zelensky, President Trump and Vice President J.D. Vance it’s clear what is going on. United States of America isn’t a friend, an ally or a partner in the war against the aggressor, Russia. No, the U.S. Government interest lays elsewhere and they are not even concealing it.

“Putin broke the ceasefire. He killed our people. He did not exchange prisoners. We signed the exchange of prisoners, but he didn’t do it. What kind of diplomacy you are speaking about?” – President Zelensky said, as J.D. Vance retorted with: “I think it’s disrespectful for you to come into the Oval Office and try to litigate this in front of them American media” – Vice President J.D. Vance.

Trump and Vance had a plan to ambush and humiliate Zelensky into a deal. They wanted to make him an offer he couldn’t refuse. As a way of getting minerals, instead of a honest agreement and arrangement as equal partners. They aren’t treating Ukraine or Zelensky as an ally. These two wouldn’t have ganged up on him and treated him in this manner. If Ukraine or Zelensky was seen as a friend or ally. No, they just wanted to use mob mentality and be the Corleone of the White House.

Whatever feelings that was there with Emmanuel Macron or Sir Keir Stramer wasn’t appeasing. Their visit to the White House wasn’t reflected today. As the President and Vice President was ready to show force and be directly trying to force Zelensky how to play. Because his fighting for his nation as a sovereign and has been doing so now for years. The war in Ukraine started before the invasion 3 years ago and the annexation of Crimea is even more than a decade ago now. So, Trump is clearly not caring about the Ukrainian concerns or plights in this.

The “deal” seems to be off the table. The U.S. would have the bargain and get the gold. Meanwhile, Ukraine would loose their assets and their resources as cost of it. They gave him an offer to either surrender to the gangster capitalists of Washington D.C. or continue the fight with other allies for sovereignty. Any sensible leader takes the latter, because why trade everything on a “deal” which isn’t guaranteed. The U.S. haven’t even fulfilled its pledges during Biden. It won’t be better, but most likely for the worse under Trump. There is no golden pot on the other side of the rainbow.

Trump and Vance only shows their sinister ploy and think they have all the power in the world. That people and nations doesn’t have agency of their own. Ukraine was a nation before and will continue to be so. However, the war will be prolonged and the fight against Russia will continue. As the aggressor and invader is still fighting along the front-lines.

We just know that Trump and Vance have betrayed Ukraine. The realignment was in the air when we saw the voting in the United Nations recently. As the U.S. voted together with Russia and their allies. That was telling really, a signal of where Washington D.C. is going. The Trump Administration isn’t far away from supporting Kremlin with arms. That’s how these sorts of folks are operating and willing to trade favours.

Trump seems confident in this and doesn’t mind. He thinks everyone is fools and his the most brilliant man alive. However, that isn’t the case. Europe and NATO allies have to wake up from their slumber. They have to adopt and move quickly. That’s if their borders and nations wants to be safe. Because Russia is expanding and wanting to do so. They are willing to wage war and doesn’t care about International Law. Just like U.S. won’t back Europe or be their ally. No, U.S. are aligning itself with Russia and that’s it. Peace.

RDC: Alliance des Forces Democratiques du Congo et Allies (AFDC-A) – Communique Officiel (28.02.2025)

RDC: Leadership et Gouvernance pour le Developpement (LGD) – Communique de Presse No. 002 (27.02.2025)

United Kingdom: 5 Independent MPs letter to Hamish Falconer MP on the PM’s stance on the genocide going on in Gaza (28.02.2025)

RDC: Union pour la Democratie et le Porgres Social (UDPS) – Communique No. 008 (27.02.2025)

RDC: Forces Armees Republique du Congo (FARDC) – Communique de Presse No. 006 (27.02.2025)

RDC: Martin Fayulu – Message a la Nation (27.02.2025)

South Sudan: The Naath White Army should worry J1

The recent skirmishes and battles in the Upper Nile state and in Nasir County should be a huge concern for the state. This is what happens when you are dismissing and are disregarding civilian outcry. That’s what is happening in the state and the negligence is why this is having a reaction.

Why the state should be worried about it, is when they are saying this about themselves:

“The Naath White Army (Jiec El Abiet) is not just a defense unit—it is the heartbeat of our people. We are self-trained, battle-hardened warriors who have mastered gunfights, sniper warfare, and strategic defense. We are hunters, raised to track and eliminate threats. We do not fear death because we were born to fight for our land” (…) “Nasir has always been a sanctuary, a fortress, a stronghold for those who seek refuge from oppression. Every major leader in South Sudan’s history has relied on Nasir—not because they loved it, but because they needed its strength. Now, we defend it for ourselves” (…) “No politician arms us. We arm ourselves. We are not mercenaries fighting for political gain—we fight for survival, for dignity, and for the future of our people. During the civil war, we captured entire regions. We took weapons from those who sought to destroy us. Today, we remain armed, vigilant, and ready” (…) “Nasir is defended by its sons. If you come for it, you will face the Naath White Army. And we do not forgive. We do not forget” (Mayang Tut Kuer, 19.02.2025).

The ones thinking this sort of conflict will die down quickly. That’s false, because the White Army is an entity created out of grievances and the needs of Nasir. They have a self-belief in the Nasir and will fight for it. That should sound the alarm, as this is one rebellion and one instance of people addressing political grievances with guns. Just like the comedian who started his rebel outfit last year. There are now visible and viable youths of a state willing to go into combat. They are doing that for their cause, because the state has left them behind.

We know the significance of Nasir in South Sudanese history. That’s an important place in the history and liberation of South Sudan. This everyone should acknowledge and that also reflected on the ideals of the fighters who are a part of the Naath White Army.

This isn’t a SPLM/A-IO versus SPLM/A. The White Army isn’t new, but it’s a proof that the Transitional Period and the lack of implementation has hurt the Republic. As the youths are only seeing it viable to take arms to answer to their government. Because they know letters or asking for proper representation won’t appear. Neither will the government defend or be there in their hour of need. That’s why they get recruited and becomes a part of the White Army.

This is a sign of a failure of J1 and the leadership of Juba. As they have had the time to listen to the pleas and ensure these youths a better future. Instead their only choice to get the state to see them… is to use arms and create insecurity.

The R-TGoNU needs to know their place. The SSPDF aren’t alone in this. Here is a bigger picture and lack of government services at fault. The youth doesn’t see any value in the government or whatever the state has to offer. So, they in the lack of future joins a para-military group and an armed rebellion. Because they don’t see the state as viable or have anything for them. That’s why they enlist and gets recruited to the White Army.

The answer of bringing gunships against armed civilians shows where the state is versus the Nuer grievances… this is causing conflict between Dinka and Nuer. That isn’t new either, but the transition should have settled this and ensured a peaceful co-existence. Therefore, the state should be concerned and act with caution. The warfare won’t bring the youth on its side. The youth need change and needs another choice. They are part of this because the loss of hope and loss of trust in the government. That’s why the Nuer youths has taken arms, instead of petitioning the state in other ways. This is because the government haven’t had any avenues for them and they know J1 wouldn’t listen to them either. It is tragic, but this is the bleak reality. This is a cause of insecurity, because the J1 and allies lingers in office. They aren’t building institutions but becoming the personification of the state themselves. Therefore, President Kiir and Vice President Machar needs to take a step and now listen to the youths of the Upper Nile. From there act upon their needs and not take it easy. Since these are willing to take up arms and go to the trenches. That shouldn’t be an option, but it’s the only one viable right now. Peace.

Ethiopia-Somalia: Joint Communique Issued by the Governments of the Federal Republic of Somalia and the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia (27.02.2025)