Philippines: The Integrated Bar of the Philippines (IBP) – IBP Davao City Statement on the Arrest of Former President and fellow Chapter Member Rodrigo Roa Duterte (11.03.2025)

Kawempe North By-Election: Authorities crackdown on the NUP on the final day of campaigns… [Arrests Elias Luyimbazi Nalukoola again!]

“The wreckage of a police truck and NUP candidate for Kawempe North, Elias Luyimbazi Nalukoola’s car filmed at a crash scene along Gayaza road in Kawempe Division, Kampala after chaos broke out when police attempted to block NUP supporters from proceeding to their venue at Komamboga for their finally campaign rally ahead of March 13 by-election. Police fired teargas and live bullets to disperse NUP supporters. One person is said to have been injured with several arrested” (Daily Monitor, 11.03.2025)

“Police arrest NUP candidate for Kawempe North MP by-election, Elias Nalukoola Luyimbazi after he and his supporters were blocked from proceeding to Komamboga where he was scheduled to hold his last campaign rally ahead of the March 13 by-election. An unspecified number of his supporters were also arrested. One person sustained injuries as police fired teargas and live bullets to disperse NUP supporters” (Daily Monitor, 11.03.2025).

Just as the Inspector General of Police Abas Byakagaba appeared today in front of the Defence and Internal Affairs Committee in Parliament. Where he has the audacity to say these words, as we are seeing what the Police and the Authorities are doing on the streets.

Just reads this: “What I could add on this is that we don’t take any indiscipline lightly. Whatever happened, the contravening the laws is regrettable. And the action you have also mentioned, the processes are already going on and we shall not favour anybody and the law will take its course. And all this that is happening is work in progress. We shall continue improving where there are mistakes. And I think even when you allude to what is happening in Kawempe, I think from where it started is different from where it is. And that’s really a sign that we are concerned about to ensuring that we do the right thing when we are mandated to do our work” (Abas Byakagaba, 11.03.2025).

We are seeing how the Uganda Police Force (UPF) is destroying and taking charge in the midst of a campaign. A police force and authorities that has gone after the NUP directly. They have let the National Resistance Movement (NRM) do whatever it wants. We have seen the NRM Candidate even giving out money directly to voters. Meanwhile, the authorities stop, blocks and directly attacks the NUP convoys. That’s why we see results like this.

Today’s action is just showing the brutality and violence that is state sponsored. We saw the other day how peaceful a rally and a campaign the NUP can have in the Kawempe North. When they all appeared and had other party leaders a part of the rally too. We saw what the NUP can do when the UPF and JATT doesn’t interfere. However, today we saw the violence and misuse of power, which is modus operandi in the Republic.

Just like the NUP candidate was arrested after being nominated. His now arrested on his final day of campaigning before the polls of 13th March 2025. No other candidate has gone through worse than him. Neither has any other supporter or such been treated in this manner. It just shows what the state offers and how it targets the opposition. The NUP is who they fear and that’s why they intimidate the NUP. It is a reason why the DP or the FDC isn’t getting this treatment in the Kawempe North By-Election. They fear the NUP, and this shows…

This is just tragic. This is just impunity and directed to silence the opposition. Peace.

Philippines: Office of the Vice President – Sara Z. Duterte – Statement (11.03.2025)

South Sudan: “The Silent Guardian” have arrived [The UPDF to aide SSPDF]

The Uganda People’s Defence Force (UPDF) have started their ‘Mlinzi wa Kimya’ which means “The Silent Guardian” to support the South Sudan People’s Defence Force (SSPDF). That means the UPDF comes to help the J1 again and done so in the past too.

The people of Juba and South Sudan should know about this, as the UPDF will again be part of the SSPDF. That will be done to further the cause of President Salva Kiir Mayardit, as SKM is an ally of President Museveni. Those to are aligned and that’s why UPDF have come when Juba needs it. Therefore, this operation is continuation of previous ones.

They will now come to the answer of Kiir and save his reign. The tensions of Juba and the troubling times are now being saved by UPDF. That is what Kiir does by having the UPDF as a mercenary army to save his grace. His Excellency is now saved by Ugandans and their troops.

It really rich that the Commander of Defence Force of the UPDF, Gen. Muhoozi Kainerubaga calls them the “peacekeepers” or “caped crusaders”. As they are coming in to save the day. They are there to save President Kiir and give him political capital. That is going on as the J1 has gone after IO and Riek Machar for the failure of containing and being able to stifle the progress of the Naath White Army. Therefore, it is a really bad when Muhoozi has to come in “peace” and deliver “war”.

The UPDF won’t be silent but be loud. We can wonder if the caped crusader and the Batman will show up as well, since they called themselves “The Silent Guardian”. Gen. Muhoozi Kainerubaga has already stated that the Special Forces came and now the troops are coming in addition. Therefore, the UPDF is there for a sole mission of safeguarding Kiir and his Transitional Government.

The Naath White Army should be concerned now, as they will meet the UPDF, and they don’t hold no grudges. They are here solely to silence them and doesn’t care about the aftermath. As they are fleeing after the fact. The UPDF is there to finish what President Kiir cannot manage to do, as the crisis are internally squabbling things up in the SSPDF and the UPDF will follow the needs blindly. That’s why the President Kiir is calling them to help himself out.

Now the “peacekeepers” are here. Nasir County and the Upper Nile State should be aware. Because the UPDF would most likely go there and do the bidding of the state to silence it. That’s why they are deployed and have this operation in South Sudan to begin with. Peace.

The fall of Rodrigo: The ICC arrest of Duterte over the DDS

“BREAKING: Malacañang confirms an arrest warrant was issued and served against former President Rodrigo Duterte. In a statement, the Palace said a copy of the arrest warrant from the International Criminal Court (ICC) was received on Tuesday morning (March 11, 2025). The warrant, received through Interpol Manila, was served upon Duterte’s return from Hong Kong” (Philippine News Agency, 11.03.2025).

A political earthquake hit the Philippines, as Rodrigo Roa Duterte was arrested as he returned from Hong Kong to Manila. Today, the news broke, and the headlines was happening quickly. There is a need to look at vital parts of the Arrest Warrant, as that is the reason why his arrested today.

The Filipino will be conflicted over this, as they know why he did it and he went out hard as President. The Die hard Duterte fans will be in shambles over this. We know the Duterte dynasty will be hurting over this. As they are feeling weakening and broken by it. However, there will others who celebrate and wants justice. There weren’t only criminals, members of cartels and such who died in the brutal crackdown on drugs. No, there was also others and possible

The ICC clearly has evidence and proof of it, as they couldn’t have made the Arrest Warrant and issued the order itself. Just read this little context of what they are charging him for and you understand the severity of it.

“On the basis of the material provided, and considering that the Davao Death Squad(‘DDS’) members and the Philippines’ law enforcement personnel targeted a very large number of persons allegedly involved in criminal activities, in particular drug-related ones, the Chamber finds that there was a course of conduct involving the commission of multiple acts against the civilian population on the territory of the Philippines. Moreover, these violent acts were initially committed by the DDS and subsequently by different governmental authorities and organs, pursuant to a policy aiming at putting an end to the criminality in the Philippines by all means, including killings of alleged criminals” (…) “In light of the foregoing, the Chamber is satisfied that an ‘attack’ directed at a civilian population pursuant to an organisational policy during the period Mr Duterte had been the head of the DDS and a State policy during the period he had been the President of the Philippines, within the meaning of article 7(1) of the Statute, took place. Moreover, there are reasonable grounds to believe that this attack was both widespread and systematic: the attack took place over a period of several years, and thousands people appear to have been killed, a sample of which is analysed in the section below. The material before the Chamber shows that the killings shared common features, such as the location and modus operandi, including the method of killing, the profiles of victims and the profiles of perpetrators” (ICC-01/21-83-SECRET-Exp 07-03-2025 6/15 PT).

“Furthermore, Mr Duterte made essential contributions to committing the alleged crimes in the following manner:

  1. Designing and disseminating a project aiming at targeting alleged criminals, including during his presidency campaign, for the achievement of which the anti-illegal drugs project ‘Double Barrel’ was launched, and subsequently endorsing this project;
  2. Establishing and overseeing the DDS and providing it with firearms, ammunition, vehicles, safehouses and communications equipment to perpetrate the killings;
  3. Instructing and authorising violent acts to be committed against suspected criminals, including drug dealers and users;
  4. Appointing key personnel to positions that were crucial in executing the crimes
  5. Offering financial incentives and promotion to police officers and ‘hitmen’ to kill the suspects, promising immunity, and shielding them from investigation and prosecution;
  6. Making public statements authorising, condoning and promoting killings and dehumanising alleged criminals as the Mayor of Davao City and the President of the Philippines, including publicly naming suspects, some of whom were subsequently killed in police operations; and g. Authorising state actors to take part in the anti-drugs campaign and revoking such authorisations” (ICC-01/21-83-SECRET-Exp 07-03-2025 6/15 PT).

The DDS is part of the legacy of Rodrigo Duterte. The acts and orders he made during his tenure as Mayor of Davao and what he did as President will remain. There is a need for proof and evidence of these actions. That is something the ICC must have collected, also credible witnesses and people scorned by Duterte. Therefore, the burden of proof is on the ICC.

The arrest is just a sign that Duterte is now fallen. He has now lost power and influence. His allies aren’t able to shield him or keep him afloat. That’s why the ICC could strike now. They can now go against him and take him in. The ones in office and in power are also seeing it viable to let him get arrested, as they are getting rid of a liability and someone who causes more harm to them. We know Duterte and Marcos Junior aren’t the best of friends, and it shows over the years.

We know this will cause a stir and plenty will cry tears over Duterte. Meanwhile, we all should await for the ICC and the authorities who allowing the ICC to arrest him. His supporters will defend Duterte regardless, but we have to see what happens now. They should present and prove the allegations against him. That’s what is needed now and we know that will be a slow process. Just like the investigation and the timeline to even issue the arrest warrant on the 7th March and it was operative today on the 11th March 2025. That isn’t slow, but everything else has been so.

This is just a proof of a big man falling and being dismantled in front of us. Now the ICC will prove what the DDS did and have reports on it. Therefore, we should expect some brutal and sinister actions made on the orders of Duterte. When that is in public. There will be another type of outcry, which we haven’t seen before.

I’m just hesitant to celebrate, as it is just a beginning, and the reality will hit hard if the ICC has the stories to shatter the enigma that Duterte has become. The Duterte Diehard Supporters won’t accept this, and we all know that. Peace.

Mali: Front de Liberation de l’Azawad (F.L.A) – Communique Final relatif a la Tenue de la Premiere Session Ordinaire du Bureau Executif No. 006 (09.03.2025)

South Sudan: South Sudan Civil Society Forum (SSCSF) – South Sudan Civil Society Forum Condemns the Recent Surege in Violence across the Country and Calls for Urgent Action (07.03.2025)

South Africa: Rise Mzansi – We must look at how government spends money and realise savings from there (10.03.2025)

South Sudan: Naath White Army – Press Release (09.03.2025)

Opinion: Is Abiy preparing for another war?

We are manufacturing attack, reconnaissance, and suicide drones. We have to be ready for war. In 1935 our fathers were not ready like they were in Adwa and we can’t make the same mistake” – Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed Ali (08.03.2025).

The latest launch of a drone factory in Addis Ababa should be telling. As the man, the myth and the legend himself Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed Ali is makign all of this splash for “defence” of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia. Alas, that’s wherein lays the main objection to that.

Very rarely it is mass production of weaponry or military devices only for defence or deterrence. It is foolish to think these will be lingering in storage units or be in a military cargo-bay awaiting next usage or destination. No, these drones and military technology will be used in conflict.

Not like Prime Minister Abiy is swaying away from conflict or war. No, he has participated in several and continues to use the army to consolidate power within the Republic. This man orders the army for “final campaigns” in regions all the time. The PM easily makes way for violence and usage of lethal force against civilians. He don’t mind death and see that as a way of growing more trees. So, this man don’t mind the blood and the loss of life. No, that is just what he does and he wants to rule over the ashes.

Prime Minister Abiy could easily be seeking a new conflict and a new war. Even when his never ending war in Oromia or the continued humiliation in Amhara. The restructured army and the reigning in of Regional Special Forces wasn’t helping either. He doesn’t have the ability or the capacity to compete with Fano or OLA. That is shown with time, as these are combating his troops and are able to return time and time again. This just shows that the FDRE and the National Army struggles to combat these militias and the guerrilla warfare. That is outplaying them and they lack strategical means and wits to beat it.

That’s why the latest rumours and spin of the mill to attack Shabia or Eritrea is foolish. For an army that isn’t capable of fighting Fano is now seeking to defeat and conquer the Eritrean Defence Forces (EDF). An EDF that was the additional forces that made the invasion and the attacks within the Tigray region possible. The tripartite alliance was the reason for the successes and way it broke down the Tigray Defence Force (TDF).

Now after that and the unimplemented Pretoria Agreement. The speculations of sparring conflict brothers has come up again. As the fallout between Isaias Afewerki and Abiy Ahmed Ali. They aren’t on talking terms or even as close as they were not to long ago. The Pretoria Agreement damaged the alliance and deleted the war-pact between Addis Ababa and Asmara to annihilate Tigray. That’s how it all seems and they downplay it whatever way they want. However, right now things are changing.

We know the FDRE has a lust and a vivid imagination of owning and ceasing a port. They want to end the era of being landlocked and have some territories by the sea. That means they got to either annex it or buy it. The PM has tried to so in Somaliland, but failed and later had to go on forgive me tour to Mogadishu. Now that this has entered a new “status quo”. The PM and his allies has looked elsewhere. Djibouti isn’t possible as they are commercially viable, but has to much of foreign army bases to interject. That means the last escape and way out of the quagmire is to invade and attack Eritrea to get Assab. Nevertheless, that is a fever dream and a brutal nightmare.

Another conflict and another logistical war won’t help the PM. Not in the shambles the nation is in and currently undergoing. Not like the FDRE is in a level of strength and has the abilities to be involved in another conflict. The army is already pushing its levels and isn’t even able internally to silencing the guns. How would the same army be able to do so in Eritrea and stop them from taking them down or even be able advance across their borders?

It is hard to believe the FDRE would dare to do this. That Abiy would risk it all and for a shallow dream. A dream of an empire and the need for a port. To lose everything and be utterly destroyed doing so. There is nothing to gain and only more death. It won’t be no victory marshes or even fanfare. No, only more shallow graves and more lives taken. That will happen on both sides of the conflict and so much hurt.

Prime Minister Abiy is just showcasing yet again who he is. His a warlord and his thirst is endless. That’s all there is to say. Not like the brutal dictator of Eritrea needs any defence. No, he has his own merits to write in glory, but this would be an epic failure and a miscalculation that would destroy Abiy.

A war that he cannot return from and the vengeance against him will be complete. They will not relent and there will be no peace until his final end. That we know, if he dares to challenge Eritrea. They won’t take it lightly and they will fight. Another fight between brothers. It is a reason why Eritrea never has left Badme and not intend too. They see it as their own and if Ethiopia think they can take Assab. Just imagine how they have fought over Badme. Just know that this will be bloody and there will be no rest. Peace.