Monthly Humanitarian Update South Sudan Conflict August 2016 (31.08.2016)

South Sudan HRP 2016 Cover Page
South Sudan HRP 2016 Cover Page

Situation Overview

  • The resurgence of violence in July and August resulted in increased inflow of civilians into Protection of Civilian (POC) sites, particularly in Juba and Wau.
  • Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) reported that there are now 197,000 internally-displaced population (IDP) seeking shelter in UN protected sites across South Sudan.
  • At the UN House POC site in Juba, the number of IDPs has reached 37,200 following the fighting between government and opposition forces.
  • In Wau, more than 2,500 new civilians have arrived in various IDP camps in August.
  • In Bentiu, the POC site is now host to some 98,600 IDPs.
  • 78 health facilities have been damaged across the country and among those forced to flee by the violence were health workers, the World Health Organization (WHO) said.
  • The conflict has hindered movement of civilians, affecting their access to health services. The dire situation increases risks of maternal mortality for pregnant women, as well as protection issues for women and girls in general.
  • Several pregnant who fled the fighting in Leer and Mayendit Counties have travelled for days on foot to reach the Bentiu POC site.
  • In the semi-urban areas of Rubkona and Bentiu town, young people are looking for opportunities for livelihood and economic activities.

UNFPA Assistance to Humanitarian Needs

The United Nations Population Fund works with the Government, donors and other partners to deliver lifesaving reproductive health services, including prevention and management of gender-based violence, to the crisisaffected population especially women and young people.

Sexual and Reproductive Health

  • UNFPA has delivered emergency reproductive health kits and other supplies to various partners for Central Equatorial, Upper Nile region, including Maban County,
    Cueibet State, Yei, Nimule, Aweil and Bentiu.
  • Additional RH Kits, medicines and dignity kits worth USD320,000 are expected to arrive in early September.

MEPs back trade deal with six African countries (14.09.2016)

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BRUSSELS, Belgium, September 14, 2016 –The European Parliament approved an agreement granting duty-free access to the EU for products from Namibia, Mozambique, Botswana, Swaziland and Lesotho, and improved market access for South Africa on Wednesday.

“This agreement will help our African partner states to reduce poverty and can also facilitate their smooth and gradual integration into the world economy. There are also many safeguards in the deal to ensure that local people truly benefit from this cooperation. The language on human rights and sustainable development is one of the strongest that you will find in any EU agreement”, said rapporteur Alexander Graf Lambsdorff (ALDE, DE), before the vote.

MEPs approved the deal by 417 votes to 216, with 66 abstentions.

Free access to EU markets

The Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) with six member states of the South African Development Community (SADCestablishes a “positive discrimination”, ensuring immediate duty- and quota-free access for their exports to the EU market. It also creates new regional opportunities through more flexible use of rules of origin.

The African countries will liberalise 86% of their trade with the EU (Mozambique 74%) over ten years with the exception of agricultural and fishery products. The deal replaces the previous interim agreements based on unilateral trade preferences and complies with World Trade Organisation (WTO) rules.

Safeguards

While the agreement covers only trade and development cooperation, it leaves the door open for services, investment, intellectual property and public procurement. To mitigate potential negative impacts on the SADC countries, several safeguards were added to the deal. The EU undertook not to subsidize its agricultural exports to these countries.

The deal also lists trade-related areas that could benefit from EU development cooperation funding, but none is pledged at this stage.

Monitoring

In a July resolution, international trade MEPs advocated strengthening the monitoring of the agreement to ensure that “its benefits for the people are maximized”. The committee also tabled an oral question to the Commission for this plenary on parliamentary oversight and civil society monitoring.

Next steps: The deal will enter into force once the Council formally approves it and the national parliaments of the six African states ratify the text.

Note to the editors: in the Cotonou Partnership Agreement of 2000, African, Caribbean and Pacific (ACP) countries and the EU agreed to negotiate reciprocal, though asymmetric, trade agreements to comply with WTO rules and to support these countries’ development and integration into the world economy.

Negotiations were to be concluded by the end of 2007, but the process took longer and the EU finished negotiations with six states of the SADC Group in July 2014. Angola finally decided not to enter into the agreement, but may join in the future. 

Negotiations with six SADC states ended in 2014. The other eight (Democratic Republic of Congo, Madagascar, Malawi, Mauritius, Seychelles, Tanzania, Zambia and Zimbabwe) belong to other regional EPA groupings.

How South Sudan’s Kiir and Machar ‘profited during war’ – BBC News (Youtube-Clip)

“The political and military elite of South Sudan have made themselves rich while the country has been impoverished by a civil war of their making, according to a report commissioned by George Clooney. An investigative unit called “The Sentry” co-funded by the actor, and activist John Prendergast, spent two years following the money trail” (BBC News, 2016)

Opinion: President Mugabe and his Zanu-PF blaming the West again for their problems!

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Again, the mighty West is involved in internal squabbles in Zimbabwe. I am surely that the tourist from the West who goes to Zimbabwe comes with teaching of violence and comes with knowledge of the infamous book ‘From Dictatorship to Democracy’ of Gene Sharp. Because the tourists are not coming to look at the beautiful nature apparently they come to counter the draconian government of President Mugabe and his ruling party Zimbabwe African National Union – Patriotic Front (Zanu-PF).

President Mugabe plan is to counter “an elaborate Western plot to destabilise Zimbabwe via opposition-led protests and anarchy” (Zimbabwe News Day, 2016).

Dr Ignatius Chombo who is Zanu-PF Secretary for Administration told state media that President Mugabe laid the essential framework to guide Zanu-PF and the whole nation during the ruling party’s Politburo and Central Committee meetings in the Capital city Harare last week. Zanu-PF Secretary for Administration said, “As the party’s Secretary for Administration, I want to remind party members and the rest of Zimbabweans of the 10 exhortations which were made by the President during the Politburo and Central Committee (meetings) last week” (…) “These exhortations are what will guide the party accordingly as we prepare to go for the December Conference as well as position ourselves against the threats posed by the West” (…) “Firstly, there is need to Organise the party from cell, village, branch, district and provinces. We should also truly bring the people together under the banner of Zanu-PF. We should also undertake to shun factionalism, divisions, nepotism, tribalism and regionalism” (Zimbabwe News Day, 2016).

Because the West is the reason for the public demonstrations, not that the government themselves have made policies that gives the Police Force more new Anti-Riot Gear, but doesn’t pay salaries. It is the Western sanctions wrong that the Zimbabwe Government have paid the elites and their businesses, instead of paying salaries to the Army and Health Care Workers. It is the West fault that the infrastructure projects have been embezzled from. I am sure that it is the West fault that the drought came and that the rain isn’t falling steady.

But as President Mugabe is supposed to be a biblical leader he should pray and this all should be solved like snap of his fingers and with the might of his powers. With the biblical powers of President Mugabe the Western Powers shouldn’t have the ability to influence and change the outcome of the political dissidents in Zimbabwe. Still, they are the problem; not themselves?

President Mugabe and Dr. Ignatius Chombo are using the West as a scapegoat from their own misgivings and maladministration. As the Cash-Strapped and deficit is man made by the Zanu-PF who are there for the interest of themselves and not the citizens. The Citizens are tired of taken for granted and used as pawns for the World Bank and International Monetary Fund to get bail-out and debt-relief as the Central Government are borrowing ever more money without getting revenue in the same levels of the expenses. Well, I guess that is the West fault as well.

So #ThisFlag #Tajamuka #NERAdemo and #NoBondNotes are the West fault. It is not internal problems as the Zimbabwe Police Force brutality and the aggressive government to silence the activists in ways of arresting and detaining them, even get them to hospital by the force used on the streets. This is the entire West fault, as they support the Police with Tear-gas and batons to hit the citizens like they are baseballs. Not the mismanaged social policies and deficiencies over time together with the tiredness of a regime who doesn’t value their citizens. It is the West who has created these demonstrations.

If the current leadership of Zanu-PF together with the President Mugabe believes the West is behind it. Than they are blind behind their wealth as fog of ignorance of the reactions that can come by continuing policies and economic stagnation without any clear indication of catering to the unemployed, educated and average citizen as they struggle with their day-to-day. While the Zanu-PF are riding luxurious cars and living in mansions or hotels while the citizens cannot take out needed funds to pay for rent. That is not the West fault, that is the economic fragmented and economic policies made by the Zanu-PF; and when the citizens of Zimbabwe cannot pay their bills even as they have money in bank shows the legitimate reason for demonstrating against their regime. This is not a problem created by the West, this a problem created by the Harare and Mugabe Administration.

It is time for the Zanu-PF to man-up and take responsibility for their actions. Instead of blaming the West; I am just waiting for the President Mugabe saying that Evan Mawarire being hired by CIA and MI6 to Coup his regime. I shouldn’t write it, the Zanu-PF minions might use this as proof. Because, the West is always the behind everything that creates problems for the Zanu-PF; not that Zanu-PF creates their own problems. Peace.

Reference:

Zimbabwe News Day – ‘Mugabe Announces the Strategy to Counter Peoples Challenge’ (11.09.2016) link: http://zimbabwenewsday.co.uk/2016/09/11/mugabe-announces-strategy-counter-peoples-challenge/

Opinion: I am not worried about the Iphone7; I’m more worried about grander issues!

iphone-minijack

I am worried not worried about the new Iphone 7 or its headphone features. That doesn’t get a fig of imagination as the reality is so much deeper than the American Tech Tax Evasion in Ireland as the Multi-Billion dollar profits of Europe doesn’t deserve to pay the Nations that they are trading their goods in. The Apple Company are greedy gutsy and expect me to care about features and design. They deserve discredit for their blatant Sports Direct ways of scrapping paying tax in Europe. Did they call Mike Ashley to get advice on how to solve issues of avoiding being honourable and actually paying tax like ordinary fellows? Than when they have to cough up money after being sued by the Irish Republic then they claim to stop having their business and sacking thousands of people for actually doing what they we’re supposed to do all along. Pay tax on the profits and now trying to scam their way to get rid of taxes. This proves that the Apple Corporation doesn’t have only have a headphone problem, but a heart problem and cynic dissolution dividing themselves from ordinary folk’s ears and minds. Their Apple Geniuses at the stores need to pay tax on their income; the same should the CEO and the Boards for their profits. Maybe time to frame the company to the pedestal of European scams of fraudulent behaviour for their fear of tax from European nations.

Well, there are other issues boggling my mind today as the continuation of oppressive behaviour in Ethiopia as Oromia and Amhara protest been silenced with the army aggressively cracking down and assaulting the population. As the country we’re supposed to celebrate New Year’s, still the internet is blocked in Amhara as the fear of knowledge and intelligence leaking to the world apparently. Still, the Government has blocked the phone lines in the area to. So with mercenaries and Agazi squad assembled in the area with heavy artillery and even bombings proves the extent the Ethiopian Government goes to silence their own population as the American Ally on the Horn of Africa is allowed to act as it please.

Amhara 03.09.2016

Just to give you a moment and to let it sink in: “Secretary of AEUP, Adane Tilahun, in hiding after imminent arrest threat for interviews he gave to VoA”. If an interview get you into such trouble that you have to hide from the authorities than there are showing their no-reason non-sense control of the citizens as they are bombing and assaulting their own. Also, doesn’t want the word the out!

I am worried that people forgetting the violence of Gabon after the rigged election for the second Generation and Second term President Ali Bongo Ondimba; who just “won” with 4000 ballots after the 3 day doctoring of the ballots that gave him 98% votes in his stronghold. I was expecting 100% and a few donkeys on the tally. Jean Ping the former AU man have been tarnished and been demoted, even if he won the election; the Bongo presidency still controls the Authorities and Institutions. That the world doesn’t react to men not stealing a chicken, but a nation; we can be so grand in our ignorance because it is more important that the Iphone 7 can use ordinary Audio Connection and not Apple’s own Headphone system.

jubilee-merger-sep-2016-p2

What also worries me is the current state of CORD and Jubilee in Kenya; as the newly united party under the Jubilee Party and their structure together with the workings of the new board for the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC). President Uhuru Kenyatta and DP William Ruto can sell their story even if it fiction or reality to the people with their expensive PR campaign of Prado cortege through Nairobi and the Summit of setting the program. As the new pledges and fixing the cartels for Sugar and Coffee and all other industries; end corruption and fix the Mombasa port. But, if they do so doesn’t they recycle the pledges of past, will the Jubilee promise more stadiums and infrastructure projects, like making the grandest airport out of the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA). Wonder if that will happen?

What I worried about is the men and woman who will jump ships and what their values of parties really was; let say certain individuals who has been Flagbearers, Senators, Governors and MPs for a dozen of Jubilee parties as there we’re 12 of those bad-boys in the current administration. There will be less tickets as you slash 11 parties… that means that in some districts there will dozen of candidates, new and old who will do whatever to get their seat as there is not enough place in a new structure compete the places in a new National Executive Committee and others.

So if these MPs and whatever position in the Jubilee who shuttle over to the Cord, than what is the difference and what is the key aspect of the Cord if they take in everybody who isn’t “good” enough for Jubilee and their new tickets. An if so, they should already have older or new blood through the parties of Cord that doesn’t need the high-blooded and thinking of their own ticket than about the general clue to why there are politicians. To represent the constituencies an citizens where they need support. If MPs and such are opposition are easily leaving Cord for Jubilee, why we’re they in opposition was they there because they didn’t have credit or ability to be part of current government until now? We should just worry about the values of these politicians and their wish for making a difference and even create a better future for their children’s children. Not to talk about making clearance and making sure that the debt cycle of Kenya doesn’t go over hurdle of the future ability to pay the rates and bills instead of building projects and salaries.

Robert Mugabe

I am worried about the state of affairs in Zimbabwe as the government doesn’t have cash, the banks are empty of Rands and Dollars. The bond notes are coming with future debt while the Zanu-PF elite are riding expensive SUVs through streets where people are begging to take out the savings from the banks. Zimbabwe and President Robert Mugabe are threating the demonstrations with “enough is enough” while the Courts are allowing it. The same Police and Anti-Riot Police commanders that have thrown tear-gas and brutality against citizens are still getting the same treatment as the other civil servants. The Police are now not getting a raise, not getting salary on time and also the same struggle as the nurses, soldiers and everybody else as the budget deficit is growing bigger and bigger. Since also the Finance Minister recently painted the grim picture and with the oppressive behavior from the Central Government has lost touch totally with their own citizens and their view of righteous and just actions from the ones that are facilitating businesses and safety.

I am worried about the silence on the crisis in Burundi, as the CNDD-FD youth group ‘Imbonerakure’ has apparently raped over a 150 girls in the recent days. This is happening as after the start of the third term for Pierre Nkurunziza as the President. With that in mind the assassinations and killings of opposition, military leaders and police officers proves that the AU/EAC based dialogue is pointless as the parties are silenced by the regime and the ones aggressively retaliating makes the civilians in the cross firing fleeing to Uganda, Tanzania and Rwanda.

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Well, I am also worried!  Even Rwanda have been connected to groups violating the government and to a point of coup plot against the CNDD-FD regime; not strange as the High-Coltan exporter Rwanda are stealing Coltan from DRC and exporting better quality and levels of resources than their mines and mountains doesn’t have. Still, the world isn’t worried about the absence of justice in Beni, DRC and the RDC issues of thieving with guerrillas Nord (North) Kivu and the areas around. Paul Kagame likes to eat on stealing and killing as he has done all through his Presidency, still nobody questions him and let him by high quality weapons without any problems.

I am worried about the current instability of Juba, the PoC and United Nations actions in South Sudan. The Troika looks like three stooges who doesn’t cover their actions and expect warriors to be peace-loving drones as the riches get by the gun and not by dialogue. The Government of National Unity (TGoNU) that has installed Gen. Taban Deng Gai from the SPLM-IO and the SPLM-IG President Salva Kiir. The battles in Western Bahr El Ghazal State in the town of Wau; this proves the battles between the different fractions.

That the former Vice-President Dr. Riek Machar are back to heal in Khartoum where he was loyal before, while the SPLA where fighting Khartoum to get freedom from the Sudan Government under President Omar Al-Bashir. So the iconic leader of South Sudan seems lost, while Gen. Taban Deng Gai hasn’t had the control of the opposition even as the TGoNU have been able to get a battalion from SPLM-IO to Juba because of his appointment. The worrying is that both TGoNU and US spokesmen saying Machar doesn’t having any rights to get back to Power and be underling under President Kiir. That he giant level of fleeing citizens to Uganda and the little bound monies to camps in Northern Uganda proves the UNICEF and underfunding of the United Nation Refugee Agency that are running the refugee camps together with the NRM regime of Uganda. This show’s level of internal problems in South Sudan affects the Ugandan politics and funding.

This is just some of the things that go to through my mind. So I am not worried about the headphones of the Iphone7 and their technical changes from the last edition. There are bigger questions and more hard questions to ask about the world. Like why are the world still taking the so-called Presidential-Candidate Donald Trump serious when he recycling his lies to an extent that if you took the account of monies the Apple Corporation didn’t pay tax in Europe, the amount of lies that we’re not questioned by journalist towards Trump would be practically the same. Enough for now! Peace.

Zimbabwe: Hon. Chinamasa paints a dark economic picture in the 2016 Mid-Year report!

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Hon. P.A. Chinamasa had to report about the current state of Fiscal and Economic Status in the Zimbabwean Parliament today. The report of his speech and numbers are not a wonderful picture. I have quoted the numbers that is most interesting.

The Agricultural and Mining shows how the different economic place the output is. Especially the loss of output and the yields of grain in the current year in Zimbabwe have been dire. The levels of debt, payments of the debt and the loans can be seen as “vicious cycle” from the Government and how they will act upon this. Let’s take a look at the numbers!

Gold Mining:

“Already, notable gains were registered in the gold sector during the first half of 2016, also benefitting from capacitation of small scale miners through the US$100 million mechanisation facility organised by Government and the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe” (Chinamasa, P:12, 2016).

Currency Vows:

“Honourable Members will also be aware of recent initiatives by the Reserve Bank to ease tight liquidity constraints through promotion of plastic money, e-banking services, and broader use of multi-currencies, among other measures” (Chinamasa, P:13, 2016).

Maize Program:

“During the first half of the year, Government introduced a US$500 million Special Maize Production Programme which targets utilisation of 400 000 hectares of land, with registration of interested qualifying farmers currently underway” (Chinamasa, P:16, 2016).

More on Grain:

“This year’s estimated maize grain harvest of 511 816 tons falls short of the normal national grain requirement of 2.2 million tons” (…) “Government interventions to provide for the national maize grain deficit of 1.7 million tons are being complemented by private sector and development partners’ imports” (Chinamasa, P:75, 2016).

Brazil food program:

“This complements such other facilities as the US$98 million More Food for Africa Programme supported by Brazil, under which farmers’ access, on a cost recovery basis, farm equipment and implements. This includes tractors, disc harrows, fertilizer spreaders, boom sprayers, among other equipment” (Chinamasa, P:16, 2016).

National Budget 2017:

“Government will take advantage of the forthcoming 2017 National Budget to propose some of the necessary measures to address any emerging gaps in order to remain on course towards the realisation of the further advancement of our Zim Asset agenda” (Chinamasa, P:18, 2016)

zimbabwe-the-herald-zimbabwe

Economy 2016:

“the economy is facing strong headwinds, with major challenges being experienced in the economy and business activity during the first half of the year than what the 2016 National Budget anticipated” (Chinamasa, P:19, 2016).

Reasons for the struggling economy:

“Depressed international commodity prices, particularly for our minerals” (…) Limited domestic and foreign direct investment, also associated with our debt overhang” (…) “The growing fiscal deficit, also impacting on the liquidity of the financial system, as well as on business activity” (…) “The resultant overall fall in incomes and weakening of domestic aggregate demand” (Chinamasa, P:18-19, 2016).

The Reversed projections of worrying numbers are -4.2% on Agricultural Output in 2016, the same with the Electricity and Water Output -21,8% and also the -5% Public Administration. Instead of scheduled GDP on 2.7; it’s projected instead to be 1.2; which is about the same as the 2015 numbers, but really shaved since 2013-2014 (4.5 and 3.8) – (Chinamasa, P: 19, 2016).

Inflation:

“Annual headline inflation remained negative, albeit accelerating from -2.19% in January 2016 to -1.4% in June 2016. The continued decline in prices in 2016 was driven by both food and non-food inflation, underpinned by the sustained depreciation of the South African rand; subdued international oil prices; and waning domestic demand” (…) “Annual food inflation, which averaged -4% over the period January to June 2016, was weighed down by declines in the prices of meat; bread and cereals, milk, cheese and eggs, oils and fats; and vegetables, among others, owing to improved supplies and competition from cheaper imports” (…) “Declines in prices of housing, water, electricity, gas and other fuels; furniture and household equipment; transport; clothing and footwear among others, however, continued to weigh down on non-food inflation” (Chinamasa, P:20, 2016).

Budget deficit:

“During the period January to June 2016, revenue under-performance against over-expenditures resulted in a cumulative budget deficit of about US$623.2 million, far above the full-year target of US$150 million”. By June the total revenue: $1.692.4 billion and the total expenses: $2.315.6 billion; which means the target by June 2016 is $623.2 million that is over $475 million deficit (Chinamasa, P:37, 2016).

Projected Deficit:

“Failure to contain the budget deficit in the shortest possible time will worsen the deficit to an estimated year-end level of over US$1 billion” (Chinamasa, P:37, 2016)

Vicious Cycle:

lack of capacity to service domestic debt has also seen roll-overs, which are posing some financial risks on domestic debt instrument holders and domestic financial institutions” (…) “This situation, unfortunately, is not tenable and is undermining the stability of the financial sector and overall economy” (…) “Government borrowing is also crowding out lending to the private sector and, hence, stifling new domestic investment and growth” (…) “This is creating a vicious cycle, whereby excessive Government borrowing leads to poor performance of the private sector and, in turn, diminished future tax revenues” (Chinamasa, P: 38, 2016).

Government Salaries:

“During the first six months of this year, pay dates of the public service, grant-aided institutions and pensioners have had to be periodically rescheduled from normal programmed pay dates as a result of resource constraints“ (…) “the staggering of 2015 bonus payments that stretched into July 2016 resulted in difficulties in paying the June salaries on time, thereby forcing Government to shift the pay dates into July” (…) “The Public Service pay dates cycles have since been modified by spreading payment of the monthly wage bill over six payment dates from the previous four payment dates” (Chinamasa, P: 39, 2016).

Government debt:

“The country faces a huge external debt overhang of around US$7.5 billion as at end of June 2016, with arrears accounting for almost 80% of the debt” (…) “the debt overhang is militating against the country’s efforts to mobilise reasonably priced long-term lines of credit” (…) “Clearance of arrears and unlocking of new financing will require that Zimbabwe builds capacity to honour old and new debt obligations to IFIs and other bilateral and new lenders” (Chinamasa, P: 40-41, 2016).

“Total external debt of Public Enterprises that has been guaranteed by the Government is estimated at USD$2 billion as at end June 2016. Public Enterprises are failing to service their debt and all the guarantees of US$2 billion have been called up” (…) “This has contributed to an increase of Government arrears by US$1.75 billion (25% of total external debt), further worsening the country’s low credit worthiness” (Chinasa, P:211, 2016).

Cash Strapped:

“the banking sector was exposed to cash shortages, largely as a result of macro-economic challenges facing the country, including lack of fiscal space and the current account deficit” (Chinamasa, P:45, 2016).

Import-Level:

“The still relatively high import level has also meant a high current account deficit, which is estimated at US$2.5 billion during the first half of the year, and constituting 12% of GDP” (Chinamasa, P: 67, 2016).

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This numbers are showing how bad it really is, the debt and loans. The deficit of earning and the burden of the expenditure towards the fiscal revenue show the lacking fiscal responsible economy.

The fiscal deficit and the cash-strapped economy show the legitimate worry, together with the current monthly loans and debt. Not only adding debt when also having enough economy to pay the old debt. Together with issues gathering possible new loans as the Low Credit Worthiness.

The other is also the inflation of prices and such is a reaction towards the missing cash and debt burden. As also the problems of fiscal funding and creates more debt for the Republic of Zimbabwe.

I think the numbers speak for themselves. Don’t you think? Peace.

Reference:

Hon. P.A. Chinamasa – ‘THE 2016 MID-YEAR FISCAL POLICY REVIEW STATEMENT “Improving Investor Confidence to Enhance Productivity” PRESENTED TO THE PARLIAMENT OF ZIMBABWE ON 8 SEPTEMBER, 2016 (08.09.2016)

Conflict Continues to Drive Displacement in South Sudan (06.09.2016)

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The dynamic nature of the conflict has resulted in the constant movement of civilians as they attempt to escape shifting locations of insecurity.

JUBA, South Sudan, September 6, 2016 – Fighting between armed groups across parts of South Sudan continues to drive displacement, including in areas that had been relatively stable since the crisis broke out in December 2013. The dynamic nature of the conflict has resulted in the constant movement of civilians as they attempt to escape shifting locations of insecurity.

Current population movements are fluid in several areas, including Central Equatoria, Eastern Equatoria, Jonglei, Unity, Western Bahr el Ghazal, Western Equatoria and Unity. In the past two months, over 80,000 people have been displaced in Wau and 12,000 in Juba alone.

In southern parts of Central Equatoria, which had previously remained fairly stable, an escalating number of security incidents has pushed large numbers of civilians to leave their homes to seek safety. The movements have been particularly significant from Yei, with multiple reports of targeted violence and harassment against civilians and disruptions in the delivery of aid supplies.

“At the same time as we see the needs continue to grow, access constraints are making it more difficult for humanitarians to access vulnerable people or even measure the scale of displacement and unfolding needs as violence spreads to new locations,” said John McCue, IOM South Sudan Head of Operations.

Many of the recent population movements from Central Equatoria have been across the southern borders to Uganda and Kenya, but increased insecurity in parts of Yei, Morobo and Magwi counties is making it increasingly dangerous for civilians to move and may be preventing people from reaching safer areas.

In Leer, Unity, insecurity has forced civilians to seek protection in nearby islands, while others have reportedly moved south or reached the UN protection of civilians site in Bentiu. These patterns of movement in central Unity may increase as insecurity persists.

On 4 September, IOM joined a UN Security Council delegation to witness first-hand the needs of displaced communities in Wau since heavy fighting in late June. While IOM and humanitarian agencies are providing lifesaving aid at displacement sites across Wau town, access constraints have limited efforts to reach thousands of displaced families in some areas south of town since early July.

IOM recently regained access to Ngisa in southern Wau to deliver essential medicines and evaluate health and water needs. IOM has received reports of people returning to parts of Wau town, which may be a response to improved security in the area or a result of limited access to relief services in areas outside of the town.

More than 1.6 million people are internally displaced across South Sudan, in addition to 786,000 people who have fled to neighbouring countries since December 2013. More than half of the country (6.1 million people) are in need of relief aid.

 

Audio: Statement regarding meeting between UNSC and President Kiir

African Union Special Representative urges continued assistance for Somalia’s security forces

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Mogadishu, 29 August 2016 – The Special Representative of the Chairperson of the African Union Commission (SRCC) for Somalia, Ambassador Francisco Madeira, on Monday urged international partners to increase their support to the Somali National Army (SNA), describing the fight against militant insurgency by Al-Shabaab as at a “critical stage.”

Speaking at the conclusion of a six-day meeting of Force Commanders of the African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM) and the SNA, Ambassador Madeira said a needs assessment task undertaken by both AMISOM and the Somalia National Army (SNA) was complete.

“The next step requires concrete operational commitments, logistical commitments and intelligence gathering commitments. It is something that cannot be done by SNA alone, AMISOM or development partners alone. It is something that can be effectively and successfully done with convergence and concurrence of all the three stakeholders,” Ambassador Madeira observed.

Madeira said following the assessment task a committee would soon be established to determine the requirements of training camps to be set under the Guulwade Plan, launched by the Somali Ministry of Defence, which outlines the SNA’s arms and equipment needs for effective joint operations with AMISOM. Under the plan, a total of 10,900 SNA troops, comprising units from the regions, would receive support from international partners for participation in joint operations with AMISOM.

The conference was attended by the AMISOM Force Commander, Lt. Gen. Osman Noor Soubagleh; SNA Chief of Defence Forces, Maj. Gen. Mohamed Aden Ahmed; SNA Deputy Chief of Defence Forces Brig. Gen. Ali Bashi, UN representatives and other senior AMISOM and SNA officers.

“We have been planning and preparing to ascertain the conditions for execution of offensives to disrupt, degrade and deny Al-Shabaab their freedom of movement and access to safe havens across Somalia,” Gen. Soubagleh noted.

Speaking on behalf of his troops, the SNA Deputy Chief of Defence Forces Brig. Gen. Ali Bashi promised its full participation in joint operations.

“We take AMISOM as a reliable partner. We will improve the way in which we coordinate. We will build the level of trust and build further on the meetings that we have had by meeting more regularly at all levels,” Brig Bashi added.

The meeting was meant to foster cordial working relations between the officers and enhance collaboration in operations against Al-Shabaab.

Opinion: The Zanu-PF is acting totally lost these days…

santions Mugabe

The truth is in the actions of any ruling regime. The reality of their actions speaks of how they respect their citizens and the government institutions. After yesterday the legacy of the former political party who liberated the nation is now totally lost.

The President and the Executive has been lost for a long time. He just hasn’t known it himself. He is like a bulldog trying out every move and shouting at every by passer. Even when he is old and whiny he still continues and brawls with every candidate that trespasses his gate.

The dire state is not just the economy, but the fragile state between the population, the lengthy disregard of the civil servants and the public officials. As you have VP who uses government funds on eating lavishly on a hotel instead of accountable actions. As well, you have government officials praising the executive and saying his rule is biblical. While the public who demonstrate against him is evil; the Police answer with tear-gas and violence. Not contempt of public voices of discontent. The allowed demonstrations are the ones connected to Zanu-PF, the Youth burning the flag and destroying the MDC-T offices in Harare.

The double standard as the Zanu-PF elite eats and get fat, while the drought of funds and import of needed equipment happens. The debt and sanctions together with the drop of trust between international community and the Zimbabwean government; the Zanu-PF government who could just been run by Ian Smith, they did the say reasoning against the citizens, only they we’re liberators who we’re detained. Now it is citizens and human rights activist who are detained.

Every time some demonstrations happens it is supported by the West and the Westerners fault. Not that it’s the men who has made the situation dire, the men behind police officers and army who detains without impunity or the men who thief the government funds. No, it is the British, the French or lucky the American. It cannot be Mugabe and Gucci Mugabe, no it is somebody else. Just waiting for Acie Lumumba to proclaim his passion for development and say that he still has faith in Zanu-PF without consideration to the draconian state that is just right there.

#ThisFlag Values 2016

#ThisFlag is a loose movement and with inspiring leaders who just shows they heart and wish to garn change and possible leadership who cares about the citizens and not the newest Mercedes SUV. That is the capacity of governance right now. The Government tried to put extra tax on the imported goods as a special VAT as the sanctioned imports where less and less become of the weak economy and value of the currency. Even the issues with downgraded levels of US Dollars lead to ATMs pouring out South African Rand that even marginalized more people. This proves the little value of the citizens.

The lack of on-time pay for soldiers, nurses, teachers and civil servants prove the disgruntled forces while the Zanu-PF continues to live like kings and queens. The people are even tagging the streets named after Robert Mugabe and also taking down the signs with his name. As they demonstrate and are brutally shut down. Today, the court of Harare are even working on fencing the area as another protester are awaiting trail tomorrow and the Government have no other outcome than shutting down. They do not want to see the public garn around the Court in massive numbers as last time when they had to release Pastor Evan Mawarire, he is the one man who opposed and showed them how to peacefully question the Zanu-PF rule without fear of losing his position and freedom.

Now that is up and concerned citizens watch, as the turns and extensive nature of ZANU-PF continues. As their Youth League are acting as hooligans without any repercussion from the Police, while the peaceful demonstrators from public disregard of Zanu-PF violently get silenced. The proof of the fall of grace, the lost nature of the ones respected party. The one party and the one leader who has gone from being the hope and liberator; and with time he has turned himself from liberator to villain of decades of decadence and wealth forgot why he was in bush. Mugabe has lost his ways in wealth and riches! While his people are asking for handouts and can’t even get justice.

President Mugabe HBD Harare Herald

Because of the Social Media uprising of late the Zimbabwean Parliament even have scheduled a new Cyber Crime law able to make prosecutions of people who starting demonstrations and questioning the Zanu-PF online. The #ThisFlag #Tajamuka #NoBondnotes and so on are just honest citizens tired of being used by ruling regime for donor aid and bargain-chips for funds to develop the nation. They want hope and future where all citizens can be involved and have the sense of making their life and work without fear of the police or the ruling regime silencing them with violence or oppressive behaviour while they ride in luxurious cars and have mansions in Harare. While the average man and woman are struggling to get ends to meet. That is not a just society and the Zanu-PF should know it as the fellow loyalist have taken land, businesses and imports for themselves. There is a fatigue of justice between the population and the Zanu-PF elite. That is why the demonstrations are happen so frequent and why the Zanu-PF elite and the Executive is LOST.

The Robert Mugabe of the Past, the man who conquered the Ian Smith Regime and European sponsored dictatorship from the United Kingdom. Now it is sponsored dictatorship under Robert Mugabe. Peace.