Readout of the Secretary-General’s meeting with H.E. William Ruto, Deputy President of the Republic of Kenya (24.05.2016)

Dadaab Refugee Camp

NEW YORK, United States of America, May 24, 2016 – The Secretary-General met yesterday with H.E. William Ruto, Deputy President of the Republic of Kenya. They exchanged views on the main peace, security and humanitarian challenges facing the region, including recent developments in Somalia, South Sudan and Burundi.  They also discussed the assistance of the United Nations to regional efforts aimed at addressing these challenges.

The Secretary-General expressed his concern about the intention of the Kenyan Government to end the hosting of refugees in Dadaab citing economic, security and environmental burdens. He recognized the extraordinary humanitarian role Kenya has played over the years as one of the world’s foremost refugee hosting countries, but pointed to the potentially devastating consequences of prematurely ending refugee hosting for hundreds of thousands of people.  The Secretary-General noted the upcoming visits of the Deputy-Secretary General and the High Commissioner for Refugees to Kenya which will provide another opportunity to further engage on this issue.

The Deputy President and the Secretary-General also exchanged views on current developments in Kenya including preparations for the 2017 elections.  The Secretary-General underscored the need for a peaceful election process with full respect for human rights.

Istanbul, 23 May 2016

Press Statement: High-level representatives from UN, AU, ICGLR and SADC to visit DRC on the neutralization of armed groups in the country’s east (25.05.2016)

M23 Goma

NAIROBI, Kenya, May 23, 2016 – “Guarantors” of a peace framework for the Great Lakes region of Africa, comprising the United Nations (UN), the African Union (AU), the International Conference on the Great Lakes Region (ICGLR), and the Southern African Development Community (SADC) will dispatch a high-level delegation to eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) from 23 to 27 May 2016 for consultations on aspects of the implementation of the Peace, Security and Cooperation (PSC) Framework for the DRC and the Region. While in eastern DRC, the “Guarantors” will assess the process to neutralize other active rebel groups, including the Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Rwanda (FDLR) and the Allied Democratic Forces (ADF).

The five-day field visit will take the delegation to Goma and Beni, in eastern DRC, a region that has been rocked by series of attacks by various armed groups.

The visit is a follow-up to earlier consultations in Uganda, Rwanda and the DRC in an attempt to intensify efforts to neutralize armed groups in eastern DRC and expedite the repatriation of the ex-M23 combatants from these countries to the DRC.

Following the last report of the United Nations Secretary-General on the implementation of the PSC Framework, the Security Council in a new resolution 2277 (2016) stressed “the importance of neutralizing all armed groups operating in the eastern DRC, particularly the FDLR, the ADF, and other groups.”

Participating in the mission to the DRC are the Special Envoy of the United Nations Secretary-General for the Great Lakes region, Said Djinnit; the Special Representative of the Chairperson of the AU Commission for the Great Lakes Region and Head of the Liaison Office in Bujumbura, Ibrahima Fall; the Executive Secretary of the ICGLR, Ntumba Luaba; the Deputy Special Representative of the United Nations Stabilization Mission in the DRC (MONUSCO), David Gressly; and SADC officials, including Lt Col Wilbert A. Ibuge and Lt Col Johannes P. Mkhabela.

Opinion: The only good news from Kololo, today; and also surprised that the Western diplomates didn’t know President Museveni sentiments on the ICC (or tried to forget)

M7 Guards Inaguration 2016

Well, the good news is not that there was a Swearing-In of President Museveni for his Seventh Term, bite me, it is not fifth, it’s Seventh! Got to teach the National Resistance Movement to count, after that the international media some recent history to not shave off the first decade in Power for Mr. Yoweri in Uganda.

The good news was:

“Department spokeswoman Elizabeth Trudeau said U.S. Ambassador to Uganda Deborah Malac and a visiting Washington-based official, along with several European and Canadian diplomats, abruptly left the inauguration after Museveni made negative remarks about the International Criminal Court in his inaugural address. She added that the U.S. also objected to Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir’s participation in the inauguration. Al-Bashir has been charged by the court for atrocities in Sudan’s western Darfur region” (Lee, 2016).

ReaganMuseveni

Because this set the perimeter of next inaugurations as Uganda is not the only country where the Opposition is under fire and where the human rights are squabbled for the Ruling Regime to control. But the reaction from the European Union representative and the United States is a bit late now. United States Government have supported them the Ugandan Government for three decades as the Ugandans have fought wars you wouldn’t touch with a your little finger. The European Union have done so in good faith and with the hopes that this will be one of their success stories as the beginning of Museveni terms he was actually sounding like a democratic ruler and had swagger like no-one else and even swallowed the Structural Adjustment Program; more than many other leaders did for long-term loans and direct-budget aid to the Ugandan government.

But that is not why the diplomates left the Inauguration of President Museveni at the Kololo Independence ground. They left the event in midst of the speech and everything because of mentioning of International Criminal Court, the discontent that exist in certain parts of Africa, as the ICC have target many African leaders and Warlords, while nearly none of the allies of European or American Government have been taken. Which make it seem like Post-Colonial tool and certain totalitarian, and Police State leaders feels that especially since they might be the next in line to be charged by the ICC.

Museven Debate16

Even on the second Live Presidential Candidate or the second #UGDebate President: “A founding signatory of the Rome Statute, on ICC: Yes we should be out of the ICC. ICC is not serious. It is partisan. There are so many people who should have been tried if they were serious. The way to go is to have our own African Criminal Court. Trying to work with ICC was a mistake”.

So if the American or European diplomats were surprised by the words uttered by the President, they should check his track-record, and are you naïve? He is the same brother who toyed with the worlds in the Nairobi talks in 1980s, muffled the involvement in Rwandan Patriotic Front, the direct involvement in wars in Democratic Republic Congo that got rid of both President Mobutu Sese Seko and President Laurent Kabila. His involvement in South Sudan and also the claimed help of President Nkurunziza after the coup d’état in 2015; there are too many instances where he has went to the gun for himself and others. So that he dislikes the ICC should be seen as natural for his Western Allies, that have given military experts and equipment over decades.

He used ties to Libya to get arms to bring down Obote, Obote whom he had a agreement with to get rid of Idi Amin. This man has done whatever to get power and get powers other places. He is ruthless and does not care how far he has to go to have it. He builds people up and burry them if they get ambition. So many men have fallen and so many fallen without the reason or the authorities have cleared the cases of the killings. Many men who have had honorable positions and been high up in the military have been silenced by the NRA/NRM. And this isn’t just rumors, this is known, but not something that is talked about.

Face to Face Cote D'ivorie

So European diplomates and American ones, you have to consider your obligation and role in Uganda, the walkout and the assessment of that, is only a small embarrassment, but to cut donor-aid and military equipment would mean something. To endorse directly Dr. Kizza Besigye would be another force of change. That would be like Alassane Ouattara won over Laurent Gbabgo in Cote d’Ivoire in 2010. Who made his own army and took over power when the International Community recognized Ouattara in 2011 and later detained Ggabo. So there are possible ways of creating the changes, but hopefully without guns though that is the only thing President Museveni believes in.

I know he told at one point he wanted to be a Pastor, but over the time he became a gun-loving, bush-war and embezzlement patriarch who oppose the idea of any other human being having a vision of leadership in the country he is running.

That isn’t a beautiful picture, but there certain questions remain why the American and European were mad about this:

“After introducing ICC indictee Bashir, Museveni said: “We lost interest in the ICC. We thought they were serious.” Museveni said he had supported ICC at the beginning but realised that “ICC is a bunch of useless people” (Trending.co.ug, 2016).

This words uttered from the mouth apparently was too much from the Western Diplomates today. Together with them we’re also the invited and warranted President Bashir; for me some strange reason no problem with the other hectic and problematic despots, dictators, lingering Presidents and so on; that also showed-up for the event. Why no problem with Cameroonian Biya? Why no problem with President Obiang? Why not mad about President Mugabe? And list goes on of people who disrespect democratic values and freedoms in their countries… though not sanctioned by the ICC.

For being diplomates, they should have known at least about the words said by the man on the Presidential Debate in February 2016. The ICC has already issues within the African Nations and the African Union have had talks on removing itself from the International Criminal Courts because of Post-Colonial affairs and targeting African leaders. So with that in mind, this doesn’t help the cause for the Europeans or Americans unless they do something serious, a ruthless man like President Museveni. Needs the guns and equipment, if not he trade with Russians and trains together with North Koreans, he has done it before and will do it again. Even order second level army equipment from China instead of getting training and army deals with Americans. The Western diplomats should not be surprised and should know his history and how reckless he can behave.

Why do you think Hon. Paolo Muwanga even feared and was disgusted with the man? He even understood to what extend the President would go when he got into power. Since he spoke beautiful words as it was needed in the Bush, the people and international community supported him.

Now there a long run since 1986, lots of European and United States Presidents have been in Power and changed leadership, while the Ugandan leader have lingered on and not caught flack before now, really? Late to the Party or is it the later redeemer now?

The issue is that they have known he has these sentiments, as the escalated violence, detaining and use of army against his own citizens. We can see it with the recent Post-Election killings in Kasese, the pro-longed Northern Uganda Conflict that lasted since 1980s into peace agreement in 2006; and the Ugandan-Fueled guerrillas in the DR Congo.

So that he is a little rash and rough with the introduction of President Bashir is the issue all of sudden, is sorry to say a little weak tea as you have given way for him to do all the other activities and not really condemn that. This because President Museveni have been a needed ally in the region after the fall of Mobutu, that American Government had for so long; that is why President Clinton even praised Museveni together with other leaders.

Obama Merkel Hollande_0

Today should not be surprising, the European and American Diplomates should have known his sentiments on the ICC, and he want to be a great leader, so he would invite anyone who wanted to show-up. This here is just the proof of it, nobody expected President Obama or Chancellor Merkel or even President Hollande to attend: They would rather have a cup of tea then showing-up. The strangest was that the former loyal ally President Kagame was in the wind… but that just so the strained relationship.

Well, this was my two cents. Not beautiful… just the way it is; when you have trusted a man to fight for you and expecting him to be peace loving democratic values full of integrity and standing by for liberty and justice in his Nation, while they have for decades let him get away with murders, destabilizing neighbor countries and done other adventures without giving him much of even a slap on his face. Then you expect him to be the grandest man… you have lost the plot fellow Western Diplomates. Peace.

Reference:

Lee, Matthew – ‘US diplomats walk out of Uganda president’s inauguration’ (12.05.2016) links: https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/whitehouse/us-diplomats-walk-out-of-uganda-presidents-inauguration/2016/05/12/e461854c-1874-11e6-971a-dadf9ab18869_story.html?postshare=5891463086874273&tid=ss_tw

Trending.co.ug – ‘ICC is useless, says Museveni’ (12.05.2016) link: http://trending.co.ug/politics/icc-useless-says-museveni

Kenya shrugs off calls from UN to rethink plan to shut Daadab refugee camp (Youtube-Clip)

“The Kenyan government has shrugged off calls from the United Nations to rethink its decision to shut the Daadab refugee camp down. It says the first refugees will be repatriated later this year” (CCTV Africa, 2016).

My honest letter to President Museveni – “It cannot be easy…” (06.05.2016)

museveni and his gun

Dear His Exellency President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni!

I know you are touchy now-a-days it can’t be that easy being you. You have your Army and Police Force enforced on the people you are supposed to represent. Mr. President you have hired French speaking soldiers to deploy safety before the swearing-in, while there is a court-order about suspending the planned Swearing-In. While the Forum for Democratic Change and other Opposition continues to hustle in your backyard. You can’t have that right, it is your playground.

What is worse is that the American and European Union is not kissing your hand and respecting you as they used too. They used to say you we’re the proud future of African Leaders, the fresh new blood. Back in the day in early 1990s the then American President Bill Clinton praised you as the “New Breed” of African Leadership. Since you we’re not the same as the lingering leaders like Mobutu Sese Seko of then Zaire (Now Democratic Republic of Congo).

issues clinton uganda

It can’t be easy to be you, you had the potential and the opportunity to leave a legacy of hope and democratic progress, even if you really we’re not really for it. Because you wanted to control the processes through the Resistance Councils instead of the now District and Local Government Councils around the Ugandan Country; and all of them are not directly loyal too you and the party line you have created in the National Resistance Movement.

And now after the hectic elections and the tides are turning. The old-friends from the West isn’t supporting your cause and your actions. That hurts you as you are the old-man with the hand and the only one with a Vision to Lead the Ugandan Republic. As you have taken it from the British Enclave into the Less-Developed Country (LDC) it is today.

Akena M7

Then all the international pundits that comments on the internal activities of your government, the way you want to control all parts of the political map as you have paid of Jimmy Akena and the Uganda People’s Congress (UPC) and disfranchised the Democratic Party. While not able to play the Forum for Democratic Change as they have been steadfast and countered your moves. They make your life so hectic and distress at every move, as they are supposed to respect you authority just as Hon. Akena do!

You’re supposed to be an honourable statesman by now. Instead you’re a Political Piranha for the international community who are tarnishing your name and rule. They are supposed to respect that you uses the army to intimidate the citizens, the citizens who are supposed to be sensitised under your understanding. As much they want to give you money to develop the Crude-Oil drilling and Pipeline to the Tanga Port in Tanzania. The International Community is supposed to salute you for the industrial feet of taking the dinosaur-remains or even fossil-fuel to drive the vehicles that our cars use.

The remains of Mobutu's Palce
The remains of Mobutu’s Palce

It can’t be easy for you, Mr. President your questioned and become tarnished by the international community; who back-in-the-day called you the future and the New Breed. Though the ones that praised are long gone or is busy trying to get their wife [Hillary Clinton] elected in the Democratic Party in United States.

It can’t be easy for you, Mr. President that they are slashing the limited monies for the peacekeeping operations in Somalia and Central African Republic while you send troops there and keeps Mogadishu and other parts C.A.R. under some kind of control. While the United States and the European Union, condemns your internal wrangles that is not territory or their jurisdiction.

Museveni 1986 Uganda

So you are hurt and feel the need to patch your hurt. Therefore as a tiny token from an adversary of you. It is time to see that you are not the new Breed as much as Butros Butros Gali of the United Nations does not have the same space for you as before. You we’re the beacon of hope, the man people looked up as they saw you as the man who beat dictatorship and created a new political landscape. What happen to you Mr. President?

It cannot be easy to see the devalued you have become, the easy way these foreign missions and elections observes says your rule it is not credible or genuine as you have dealt with school elections since your younger days at Ntare School. They don’t understand democracy as you do. These foreigners don’t understand how your handpicked men can represent the people’s will of Uganda, which is initially yours.

You have the audacity not only to house-arrest your opposition, but monitor and deny entrance to where they live. That means that your Police Force denies entry into where they live like today with Winnie Byanyima the wife Dr. Kizza Besigye was denied to go home. That is why it isn’t easy to be you.

M7 rescue

It isn’t easy to be you as your age is even under question by your own:

“In his affidavit, Bigirwa wrote: “That I verily believe that the respondent [Museveni] is 79 years old as he participated in the general elections of 1961 and he was a voter and staunch supporter of the late Benedicto Kiwanuka and the respondent [Museveni] was 23 years old.” (Kiyongo, 2016). This must be damning since if this is true you are older and actually felt the independence as a grown man, as with this you would be born in 1939. Because you’re saying you officially were born in 1944. That is five years difference and also show’s if it is true, then you breached the laws you created. The Constitution says the law for an elected President cannot be over 75 years old. If the word of Moses Birgirwa is true, as his affidavit says it is correct and that means that you Mr. President we’re born in 1939 instead of 1944. That is big thing for you and your reputation yet again.

Not that it’s your first or last lie in the public. They come and go as it is not easy to rule and be honest, transparent and also responsible at the same time. As you have proven to the public and to the people from time to time; like you had no idea what happen in Rwanda and if the Rwanda Patriotic Army had any involvement around 1993-1994. Your armies had nothing to do in the end of first and second war in Democratic Republic of Congo. Even if you with pride after is said about yourself to be a kingmaker! You Mr. President is the Kingmaker who have made way for Paul Kagame, Laurent Kabila, Joseph Kabila and sometimes take your giant wings to support Pierre Nkurunziza, the same you did for Salva Kiir Mayardit as well.

Obiang - M7

So it is not easy to you nowadays as the Opposition have the support of International Community as you have lingered in power and taken the Ugandan People for granted. They expected something else of you. As you have yourself learned the lessons of Frantz Fanon who told that a leader couldn’t control the population, but only have true support if they are behind them; you couldn’t force them to support a leader, that wouldn’t work. But you know this you wrote about this in a thesis at the University of Dar-es-Salaam in Tanzania.

I am sure Mr. President that you never thought the world would come so quickly to door-step, that the words of your mouth would go further than Lira and Nairobi when talking to the press in Kampala or Mbarara. Instead now with this Social Media that you dislike with a passion, because you can’t control what people say and do. Something you prefer as you want to control and lead people, not make people lead you. As you Mr. President are the man-with-the-vision, not the man who has to listen. That is why you talk wild about the media and was so attacking on the Daily Nation and the NTV Uganda.

Elephants Quote

So it can’t be easy to be you. The ground is burning. You are one out of two elephants that are stomping the ground. You and Dr. Kizza Besigye are fighting elephants while the grass is the people. It is not easy to see how the state you will leave behind as he fights you with peaceful means and demonstrations. You have now done the same as Mobutu, the same as the former leaders you claimed to liberate the Ugandan people from. You have become the Machiavellian leader who speaks one thing and attack on the other. You’re ruthless Mr. President and the cards you playing is now open. They are expected you cannot pay and exchange governmental positions with the FDC and the men who want accountability and a transparent government that actually cares about the Ugandan citizens. Because your actions looks like the man who turns to guns and armies instead of the democratic values you spoke in the 1980s and 1990s even if you never believed in them. I say that Mr. President because of the actions of recent years proves that the opening of Multi-Party system was just to silence the International Community and keep them pumping up your national budget and to fill your coffers. We know that now and therefore condemn you.

Mr. President not easy to pull out of Somalia and the Central African Republic as the funds and the loyalty showed have been given your government useful foreign exchange, even if the funds from European Union and United States government have dwindled time as the Kenyan also taken parts of action as well and after President Moi been out of office, the continued relationship between U.S. and them have become better. Something you now and it makes your mind boggle on the farm.

Kampala 12.02.2016 Police Army

So it can’t be easy to be Mr. President who has the world on your shoulder, everybody question all of your actions, while you embezzle state-funds, keeps oil-drilling license secret, other activity secret and at the same time have to use army and police to silence the people. Intimidate the people as they know and you know deep in your heart that you stole the 2016 election. Peace.

Best Regards

The Writer of Minbane

Reference:

Kyonga, Derick – ‘Court petitioned to stop Museveni swearing-in’ (06.05.2016) link: http://observer.ug/news-headlines/44079-court-petitioned-to-stop-museveni-swearing-in

Kenya: Government Statement on Refugees and Closure of Refugee Camps (06.05.2016)

Refugee Camp Kenya 0605.2016 P1Refugee Camp Kenya 0605.2016 P2

“Morocco’s Letter Opposing African Union’s Chissano Speaking to UN Security Council About the Western Sahara” (24.04.2016)

Western Sahara Letter April 2016Western Sahara Letter April 2016 P2

Original Letter:

Morroco Letter April 2016 P1Morroco Letter April 2016 P2

Press Release: UN agencies concerned about limited funding to assist South Sudanese refugees in Sudan (25.04.2016)

WFP South Sudan 2016

NEW YORK, United States of America, April 25, 2016 –  The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) and the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) today expressed deep concern at funding shortfalls which could affect the assistance that is being provided to South Sudanese refugees in Sudan.

 “Our resources are being stretched at a time when needs are quickly growing,” said UNHCR’s Representative in Sudan, Mohammed Adar.  “Over 50,000 South Sudanese have crossed into Sudan since the beginning of 2016, surpassing the planning figure set for the entire year. Further shortfalls in funding will hamper our ability to continue providing assistance for the existing South Sudanese refugees in Sudan while also responding to the emergency needs of new arrivals.”  UNHCR humanitarian requirements for 2016 remain 18% funded, leaving over US$128 million in unmet needs.

The heads of UNICEF and WFP have voiced similar concerns about the limited resources available to respond to the basic needs of South Sudanese seeking refuge in Sudan, including access to clean water, shelter, emergency household supplies and adequate protection.  The situation is particularly worrisome as the agencies’ funding shortages coincide with a period of heightened food insecurity in part of South Sudan. This, in addition to the ongoing violence, is driving rapidly increasing numbers of South Sudanese into Sudan.

The UNICEF Sudan Representative, Geert Cappelaere, also warns that his organisation is running out of funding for the provision of critical support to more than 100,000 children from South Sudan in dire need of urgent humanitarian assistance. “With only 11% of the total humanitarian requirement funded so far in 2016 and an estimated US$105 million shortfall, UNICEF is gravely concerned it may have to cut back on crucial lifesaving water, sanitation, nutrition, health and protection assistance to those vulnerable children”, Cappelaere emphasised.

Echoing the concern of his UNICEF and UNHCR colleagues, WFP Representative and Country Director Adnan Khan said: “We are concerned that if we do not receive sufficient funding soon enough, we will not be able to respond to the needs of South Sudanese refugees who continue to flee their country to seek food and refuge.”

WFP is currently facing a 12-month funding shortfall of US$181 million of which US$19 million will be used to meet the needs of the South Sudanese refugees through its Protracted Relief and Recovery Operation.

UNICEF, UNHCR and WFP have banded together to appeal for additional funding that will be required to meet greater needs created by the rapidly increasing number of South Sudanese fleeing into Sudan.  

Conflict and food insecurity are forcing more and more South Sudanese to flee their country and cross into neighbouring countries.  A total of 678,000 South Sudanese refugees are now being hosted in the neighbouring countries with 221,000 in Sudan.

Troika statement on continued delay in South Sudan peace process (24.04.2016)

Machar Kiir

UK, US and Norway demand Riek Machar returns to Juba and transitional government is formed.

LONDON, United Kingdom, April 22, 2016 – The members of the Troika (United States, United Kingdom, and Norway) are deeply disappointed by Riek Machar’s continued failure to return to South Sudan’s capital Juba to form the Transitional Government of National Unity. This represents a wilful decision by him not to abide by his commitments to implement the Agreement on the Resolution of the Conflict in the Republic of South Sudan.

We congratulate the government for demonstrating maximum flexibility for the sake of peace by agreeing to the compromise proposal on the return of security forces proposed by regional and international partners and mediated by the Joint Monitoring and Evaluation Commission. It remains important that the government fully withdraws its troops from Juba as called for in the peace agreement. We also welcome the opposition’s support for the compromise proposal and demand that Machar abide by this commitment and return to Juba by 23 April.

Machar’s failure to go to Juba, despite efforts from the international community to support his return, places the people of South Sudan at risk of further conflict and suffering and undermines the peace agreement’s reform pillars – demilitarizing South Sudan, injecting transparency of public finances, and pursuing justice and reconciliation – that offer South Sudan a chance for renewal.

We will pursue appropriate measures against anyone who further frustrates implementation of the peace agreement.

Interview of US Special Envoy for Great Lakes of Africa, Thomas Perriello (Youtube-Clip)

“My interview with US Special Envoy for Great Lakes of Africa Thomas Perriello after his visit to DR Congo and Burundi” (Sammi Awami, 2016)