Burundi: “Sont revoques de la Force de Defense Nationale du Burundi pour cause de desertion” (22.12.2016)

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Burundi: “Gov. vient de mettre fin aux poursuites contre 11 organisatision & association de la société civile: un merveilleux cadeau de Noël” (22.12.2016)

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Burundi: “L’ASBL CNARED enregistrée en Belgique n’est pas la coalition, mais une structure de la Commission Finances” (28.11.2016)

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Opinion: Polarization will be the key protocol to follow in 2017!

History Immigration

No matter if it is local politics, if it international or trade, the most important backbone to policies in the next year will be polarization. That is not Polar Bears dancing on the dwindling ice, if so the U.S. TV station would have better ratings. No, this is the importance of local and national industries, while stressing ignorance towards immigration and imports to add more GDP value and also stop inflation. A balance that is hard to carry as the trust in local currency and local production doesn’t change overnight. That has to happen with steady policies and ability to trade products and create market for the ones that we’re in the past produced far away.

Definition of polarization

1:  the action of polarizing or state of being or becoming polarized: as

a (1) :  the action or process of affecting radiation and especially light so that the vibrations of the wave assume a definite form (2) :  the state of radiation affected by this process

b :  an increase in the resistance of an electrolytic cell often caused by the deposition of gas on one or both electrodes” (…) “2 a :  division into two opposites b :  concentration about opposing extremes of groups or interests formerly ranged on a continuum” (Merriam-Webster – Polarization, link: https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/polarization).

We are dividing ourselves while the world is into more conflicts that need assistance and securities to secure peace. There internal conflicts in Burundi, Democratic Republic of Congo, Ethiopia, South Sudan, Somalia, Afghanistan, Yemen and Syria. Where the conflict is bloody, where people are detained for the political affiliation, where innocent dies in the streets and where guns are imported to silence the ones who is not succumbing to the regimes who hold power.

We are living in a time where opposition victors doesn’t get into power, because the leaders of old are not allowing and keeping power by the gun, are using the police force and army to monitor the opposition and even rigs the election to secure the “validation” of their rule. This has happen in many Republics and Nations this year and proves that progress of governance and accountability is dying, like innocence and justice is impartial and only for the elites. The rest of us just have to be lucky to see just systems and laws for the common folk.

Like Adama Barrow is the President-Elect in Gambia, Jean Ping should have become the President in Gabon, Dr. Kizza Besigye in Uganda and Moise Katumbi should have risen to power in DRC if there we’re any justice and transition of Power in the Republic. But the big-man and long ruling Presidents of these nations doesn’t give-in or leave office. They continue to stay without any fear or without any mercy as the monarchs they acts of. Instead keep polarising the political elites and societies with paying the elites and silencing the ones who stand in their path. Also, by forging alliances with nations to make sure justice doesn’t prevail in their path.

While these tragedies are appearing in front of our eyes in our times, the borders and the helping hands are not appearing, the funds and allocations of necessary funds to the refugee camps, the direct food aid and agents of humanitarian actions are not sufficient. The reality of these missing steps should boggle our mind and should freeze our hearts out, as the news of burning convoys into Aleppo, lack of food into refugee camps in Adjumani in Uganda and the lacking rations of food in refugee camps in Tanzania. These should all be a reminder of the fate we have put our world in. The steps of lost grace and mercy on the weakest of humanity, where hospitals and humanitarians are put in the lines of bullets and grenades in between the battlefield as the soldiers fight for keeping merciless tyrants to stay in power.

While the superpowers are claiming the fight for justice, the innocent dies, the towns are battlefields and turns into dust, the graves are not cleared and the lives are lost in vain. This while UN cannot impose arms-embargoes or create a possible cease-fire to get civilians into safety, this while Italian and Greece authorities are working and trying to find ways to impose fleeing civilians on Turkey, because the rich European states fears that fleeing civilians could be terrorists. The humanity and just behaviour is dying while the states are flogging their responsibility to the ones in need.

We can question ourselves if this is right, if we can sleep knowing the indebtedness we have in riches. In the time of peace in our states, where we have possible houses and shelter for the ones fleeing possible genocides and acts against humanity; Europe impose stricter rules on immigration and Brexit proves the fear of Polish and other ethnic groups as they want to secure their borders as key argument to stop being an EU Member State.

We can wonder why the world has come to this that polarization of between ourselves the ones who see the innocent die and the ones who want to keep their own by any means. That the own nationals are going against each other and seeing it as only fit, instead of thinking for instance for a hot minute, what if the war came to our shores and to our homes, wouldn’t we flee? Wouldn’t we do what we could to leave our wealth, our riches to save our own?

Why shouldn’t the Syrians and all other who are in conflicts leave grenades, tanks and bombs, would we live on the streets with daily shooting and killing if we had an option to flee? Would we stay and risk everyday our lives to get a loaf of bread? I doubt that. We would travel to safety and to places where we could resettle and rehash the future of ourselves and our kids. If not we would be risking ourselves and the future of our kin. That is because it’s natural.

Still, the Europeans and citizens of fellow states don’t see it this way with fear-mongering politics and internal polarization of demagoguery, which is out of proportion. This will continue as these conflicts leads to more hurt and damage of lives, where more shelter and more merciless killings to stay in power, where more rigging of elections and more police-states are controlling the civil society. Where the states are more totalitarian and the power controlled by a little elite, while the average citizens are struggling, they will seek fortunes other places instead of in their birth-nations. Just as we would do if our destiny we’re in the limbo, if our homes were shacks and our sockets could electrocute us.

So the world of 2017, will be inflicted with the unfinished business of past, like all years has been, with as much uncertainty as the start of 2016, but with new issues and new struggles, with new people behind bars because of political affiliation, more families lost loved ones because of demonstrations, more people fleeing as the machetes and burning villages for land-grabbing, foreign investors taking land while locals cannot get deeds, as the central government are getting needed funds to supply the army with equipment and salaries, civil servants are left behind with reunification and it is happening so many places. Nobody confess nobody impose on it or even sanction this. We should question the economic challenges and the way they allocate funds, especially when many of these states get based government loans from the IMF and World Bank to basically could function; together with the reasonable taxation they can be able get from their citizens.

We shouldn’t silent on the merciless acts of men, we shouldn’t be ignorant of the world of oppression and fear, as the grand masters of our times are destroying and depleting lands for fortunes, as the multi-national companies see only profits and not see the populations they are forcing into unjust working conditions to trade resources into high profits abroad. These acts shouldn’t be forgotten, as industries and the trade are made for the international companies to gain and not all locals, therefore the polarization are created in these, create more havoc and even more injustice, as the unfair world we live in doesn’t give hands to ones in need. The rich can get it all, while the poor is lucky if they have enough for a jerry-can to buy water. That isn’t justice, that isn’t right when others are only drinking imported expensive French Water.         

We should questions the systems and revise them for more balanced between the rich and poor, for more functioning United Nations, for more diplomatic efforts and for stronger laws that cannot make Presidents into Emperors! The reality is that 2017 will start where 2016 and that is not in positive looks into the future, because the powers we have, the armies and police are targeting fellow citizens who deserves better. We all deserve better and we all should know better. Peace.

Security Council Decides against Imposing Arms Embargo on South Sudan, Designating Key Figures for Targeted Sanctions (23.12.2016)

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Adoption Fails by 7 Votes in Favour, 8 Abstentions amid Doubt over Wisdom of Punitive Steps as Government Reports Progress on Ground

The Security Council voted this morning against imposing an arms embargo on South Sudan and targeted sanctions on three key Government and opposition figures whose dispute has spiralled into widespread violence in the young nation.

Defeated by a vote of 7 in favour to none against, with 8 abstentions, the draft would have instituted a ban on arms sales to South Sudan as well as designating three officials as subject to an asset freeze and travel ban: Paul Malong, Chief of Staff of the Government’s Sudan People’s Liberation Army (SPLA); Michael Makuei Lueth, Minister for Information; and former First Vice-President Riek Machar, leader of the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement/Army-In Opposition (SPLAM/A-IO).

Voting in favour of the draft resolution were representatives of France, New Zealand, Spain, Ukraine, United Kingdom, United States and Uruguay. Speaking after the vote, they recalled that United Nations officials had sounded multiple warnings about an impending deterioration of the carnage in South Sudan, and about long-term non-cooperation with the United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) on the part of parties to conflict. They said that although the measures proposed in the text would not have been a panacea, they would have reduced the violence, addressed impunity, kept the country from spending precious resources on arms, and created momentum for a peaceful resolution of the conflict.

Delegations that abstained were China, Russian Federation, Angola, Egypt, Japan, Malaysia, Senegal and Venezuela. China’s representative said his country was committed to restoring peace and stability in South Sudan as soon as possible. Describing the Government’s announcement of an inclusive national dialogue and the approved deployment of the Regional Protection Force as positive steps, he emphasized that the international community should support them instead of taking counter-productive actions. It should also support full implementation of the Agreement on the Resolution of the Conflict in the Republic of South Sudan (the Peace Agreement) and the mediation efforts of the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD), he added.

The Russian Federation’s representative and others who abstained criticized the readiness of those who had voted in the draft’s favour to impose sanctions, maintaining that such measures had failed to have a positive effect in other situations of a similar nature.

South Sudan’s representative, described the tabling of today’s draft as unfortunate, given that President Salva Kiir had ordered the formation of the National Dialogue Steering Committee just a few days ago. Such a commitment pointed to a more encouraging direction. Those targeted for sanctions were critical to implementation of all agreements, he said, emphasizing that the draft had revealed a lack of good faith. It could have invited controversy, disagreement and hostility, rather than the necessary cooperation, he said, warning that punitive measures could only harden positions.

The meeting began at 9:33 a.m. and ended at 10:39 a.m.

DRC: OHCHR press briefing notes (23.12.2016)

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Over the past week, the UN Joint Human Rights Office in the DRC (UNJHRO) has documented at least 40 killings of civilians in Kinshasa, Lumbumbashi, Boma and Matadi. 

GENEVA, Switzerland, December 23, 2016 –

Spokesperson for the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights: Liz Throssell

Location:      Geneva

Subject:        DRC

Reports that dozens of people have been killed by police and soldiers in the Democratic Republic of the Congo over the past few days are deeply troubling and point to growing instability in the country, UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Zeid Ra’ad Al Hussein said on Friday.

Over the past week, the UN Joint Human Rights Office in the DRC (UNJHRO) has documented at least 40 killings of civilians in Kinshasa, Lumbumbashi, Boma and Matadi, mainly of people protesting against President Joseph Kabila’s refusal to step down at the official end of his mandate on 19 December. Some 107 people have been injured or ill-treated and there have been at least 460 arrests.

Opinion: I respect President Duterte for his answer to the American pressure!

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I have been thinking about this for a while and I made up my mind. President Rodrigo Duterte, the Philippines President are by many controversial and his acts are not ordinary in society as we’re used to, but partly they work and many feels safer, though the violent police force gets rid of violent and dangerous drug-trade that has at its peak even corrupted Members of Parliament. Therefore his cabinet and his acts made both enemies locally and abroad.

His tone and demeanour is also striking, a hot-headed man who speaks his peace and war before he tries to mend the wounds created, because he figures out that the striking isn’t always the way to go and to create dialogue. But he seems like a leader who wants to be respected for being him and for his country.

Here is what happen lately and made fuzz worldwide. Because the MCC again made a decision, but without giving reasons for their suspensions that we’re for infrastructure projects, that they are now finding other funding for instead of the American funding. Duterte has gotten grand support in other Asian powers over the recent months and even gotten friendly with the Chinese, which has even respected the courts over well-resourceful islands that China has claimed.

China has offered the Philippines credit worth USD500 million to procure Chinese-made military products, Philippine defence secretary Delfin Lorenzana said on 20 December. In comments published by the Philippine government’s news and information bureau, Lorenzana said the funds would be made available through soft loans and would support the procurement of unspecified “big-ticket military items”. Under an initial part of the aid package, Lorenzana also confirmed that China has agreed to provide the Philippines with CNY100 million (USD14.4 million), which will support the Southeast Asian country’s acquisition of “small arms, speed boats, or night-vision goggles” (Grevatt, 2016).

Together with a big grant of monies has also come to the nation under Duterte. As this has happen after the American pressure has risen and they don’t see how this aggressive attitude doesn’t help the relationship between the Philippines and the American counterparts.

MCC cancelling grants for infrastructure projects in Philippines:

“The US-led Millennium Challenge Corp. (MCC) has suspended a funding grant for the Philippines over “concerns around rule of law and civil liberties” under the Duterte administration. In a statement last Wednesday, the MCC said it has “deferred a vote on the re-selection” of the country for another compact grant, “subject to a further review.” No other details about the Philippines were released” (Magtulis, 2016).

Duterte’s response:

“I understand that we have been stricken out of the Millennium Challenge. Well, good, I welcome it,” Duterte said with apparent sarcasm. “We can survive without American money,” he said. “But you know, America, you might also be put to notice. Prepare to leave the Philippines, prepare for the eventual repeal or the abrogation of the Visiting Forces Agreement,” he said, referring to a 1998 accord that governs American forces visiting the Philippines for joint combat exercises. Speaking with reporters Friday, Duterte also told U.S. workers or troops to “start packing.” (Penzenstadler, 2016).

“For the past previous months since Duterte took office, the United States has reiterated several times its concern over the alleged spate of extrajudicial killings related to the Philippine government’s intensified campaign against illegal drugs” (…) “America is a land of hypocrisy. There are 40,000 Americans killed every year, drug-related,” Duterte said in a speech before a group of exemplary government employees” (Sioson, 2016).

We can wonder how this is to be and how this will go. Certainly the killings can be questioned in the Philippines, as much the United States should question their own misgivings on this matter. The Duterte government are striking hard and trying to force it out. Though certainly the killings can be seen as causing havoc, it can also create a safer environment; as long as this is a temporary matter where the drug monies and society has been under fear because the drug-gangs in Philippines.

The United States can by all means suspend their aid to the Philippines, but they are not their lapdog and their puppet to control. As they will be muffled to be controlled and if they listen they get their candy. The MCC might review it and address the matter, but a President Duterte is right reacting and showing courtesy to the American government who does this to his administration. Instead of looking at in silence and pounding on the lost funds. Instead his proof of power comes with the strategic need of alliances that U.S. Government needs in the South China Sea.

President Trump and his nominee Secretary of State Tillerson will not have a cake-walk in Asia. President Duterte will not make it easy for somebody like them to trade the waters. Duterte has his pride and wants to make the best effort in power. The rare instance was that the international community didn’t care when the communities we’re attacked by drug-gangs and drug related

We can wonder how this will go, but one thing is for sure President Duterte will not be muffled by the American Government as his predecessor. They have followed the party line of the US foreign policy, but Duterte are acting as President on his own merry. Something the world should recognize and respect. I understand why some policies and some acts might offend and even boggle your mind, but him standing up to the U.S. shows his pride and also his vigour not be controlled and told how to be. Duterte deserves credit for that, though we can question the purpose, longevity and the current policy against the drug-lords and drug-gangs.

It might have consequences right now for the funding of certain projects that has to get funding from elsewhere, but what we can now is that Duterte will not an underling to the American Empire, but be his own and change affiliations if it benefits the Philippines, which is something he should do without any scrutiny; unless he did it without any transparent objectives and with no concern for the ramifications on his own population. Peace.

Reference:

Magtulis, Prinz – ‘US defers Philippine grant amid rule of law, rights issues’ (16.12.2016) link: http://www.philstar.com/headlines/2016/12/16/1653963/us-defers-philippine-grant-amid-rule-law-rights-issues

Grevatt, Jon – ‘China offers USD500 million in military aid to Philippines’ (21.12.2016) link: http://www.janes.com/article/66457/china-offers-usd500-million-in-military-aid-to-philippines

Penzenstadler, Nick – ‘Philippines’ Duterte to U.S. over aid: ‘Bye-bye America’ (18.12.2016) link: http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/world/2016/12/17/philippines-duterte-us-over-aid-bye-bye-america/95557384/

Sioson, Dana – ‘Duterte: ‘US a land of hypocrisy’ (20.12.2016) link: http://asianjournal.com/news/duterte-us-a-land-of-hypocrisy/

Gambian leaders must ensure peaceful transfer of power to President-elect, says Security Council (22.12.2016)

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“The Security Council reiterates its request to outgoing President Jammeh and the relevant Gambian Authorities to fully respect the results of the presidential election of 1 December 2016”.

NEW YORK, United States of America, December 22, 2016 – Welcoming the African Union’s decision to recognize Adama Barrow as President-Elect of Gambia, the United Nations Security Council reiterated its call on outgoing President Yayha Jammeh to transfer power to the President-Elect in peaceful and orderly manner.

“The Security Council reiterates its request to outgoing President Jammeh and the relevant Gambian Authorities to fully respect the results of the presidential election of 1 December 2016, to respect the will of the Gambian people and to carry out a peaceful and orderly transition process, and to transfer power to President-elect Adama Barrow by 19 January 2017 in accordance with the Gambian constitution,” said a Presidential Statement read out at a formal meeting of the 15-member body today.

“[The Council] further welcomes the decision of Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Heads of State to attend the 19 January inauguration of President-elect Barrow in Banjul (Gambia’s capital),” it added.

In the statement, the Council also underlined the need to ensure the security of President-elect Barrow and that of all Gambians, and called on the country’s defence and security forces to demonstrate maximum restraint and maintain an atmosphere of calm in Banjul.

Further, commending ECOWAS efforts aimed at diffusing the situation in the west African country, the Council welcomed the appointment of Muhammadu Buhari, President of Nigeria as the Mediator in Gambia and that of John Dramani Mahama, President of Ghana as Co-chair.

Last week, an ECOWAS/UN high level delegation, led by the President of the Liberia and Chairperson of the ECOWAS Authority, Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, visited Banjul and undertook discussions aimed at ensuring a peaceful and orderly transition.

Senior UN officials, including Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon and High Commissioner for Human Rights Zeid Ra’ad Al Hussein have spoken out on the situation in Gambia, urging outgoing President Jammeh to respect the outcome of the results and to transfer power to the incoming President.

Statement attributable to the Spokesman for the Secretary-General on the Democratic Republic of the Congo (22.12.2016)

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The Secretary-General deplores the reported loss of life in confrontations between the security forces and protesters, including in Kinshasa.

NEW YORK, United States of America, December 22, 2016 – The Secretary-General is closely monitoring developments in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), as the mediation led by the Conférence épiscopale nationale des églises du Congo (CENCO) resumed today.

He urges all parties involved in the CENCO-led mediation to work constructively and in good faith the outstanding issues related to transitional arrangements leading to the elections, in keeping with the Congolese Constitution. He calls on Congolese political leaders to place the interests of the country and the people above partisan and personal considerations. He urges them to de-escalate tensions and create an environment conducive to the successful completion of the CENCO-facilitated dialogue and the holding of timely, credible and transparent elections. The Secretary-General encourages the new government led by Prime Minister Samy Badibanga to take concrete steps, in line with the 18 October political agreement.

The Secretary-General deplores the reported loss of life in confrontations between the security forces and protesters, including in Kinshasa. He stresses the need for the national security forces to exercise the utmost restraint in the maintenance of public order.  He calls on the DRC authorities to investigate any acts of violence and ensure the perpetrators are held accountable.

The Secretary-General calls on all political actors, including the opposition, to exercise maximum restraint in their actions and statements and urge their supporters to refrain from violence. He urges the authorities, once again, to promote and protect human rights and to uphold the fundamental freedoms enshrined in the Constitution.

RDC: Communication du Gouvernement (20.12.2016)

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