Moise Katumbi: “No Governmental power can resist the determination and thirst for democracy expressed by the Congolese people” (22.09.2016)

moise-katumbe-23-09-2016-p1moise-katumbe-23-09-2016-p2

Ethiopia says it won’t entertain Riek Machar (Youtube-Clip)

“Ethiopia has issued warnings with regards to former South Sudan first Vice President Riek Machar visit. It says Machar’s only welcome to the country on a temporary basis. The Ethiopian Prime Minister Hailemariam Dessalgen was quoted in an interview saying, Ethiopia will not entertain leader of an armed struggle. According to Hailemariam, Machar, will only be allowed to pass through Ethiopia in his travels. The former South Sudanese first Vice president was recently replaced by Taban deng Gai. This came after he left Juba following violence in July. He is currently in Sudan” (CCTV Africa, 2016)

Ethiopian government rejects calls for an independent investigation (Youtube-Clip)

DRC: Zeid warns of deteriorating situation, urges accountability for deadly clashes (22.09.2016)

siege-de-parti-en-feu

At least 50 people, including at least four police officers, were reportedly killed during clashes and violence in the capital Kinshasa on 19 and 20 September, and at least 77 others were injured.

GENEVA, Switzerland, September 22, 2016 – UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Zeid Ra’ad Al Hussein on Thursday issued a strong warning about the deteriorating situation in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, and insisted that, as part of the effort to avert a major crisis, there must be accountability for the killing of dozens of civilians and other human rights violations that took place during the outbreak of violence earlier this week.

“I am deeply saddened by the recent explosion of violence in the capital Kinshasa. The high number of civilian casualties, the burning of the headquarters of several political parties and the continuing high tension together provide a stark warning that a large-scale crisis could be just around the corner,” the High Commissioner said. “The writing is on the wall, and the authorities need to pull back from their extremely confrontational position and build bridges with the opposition.”

At least 50 people, including at least four police officers, were reportedly killed during clashes and violence in the capital Kinshasa on 19 and 20 September, and at least 77 others were injured. The figures could be much higher as verification continues.

“Some civilians were killed by gunshots to the head or chest, and I strongly condemn the clearly excessive use of force by defense and security forces against demonstrators in the capital. I am particularly shocked at reports that some men in uniform took a direct part in some of the attacks against the headquarters of six opposition political parties, including the Union pour la Démocratie et le Progrès Social (UDPS) building,” Zeid said. “This is a clear assault against democracy and fundamental human rights. What DRC needs now is a climate more conducive to inclusive dialogue and to free and fair elections.”

The High Commissioner said he had also received reports that Republican Guards, ANR intelligence service and PNC (Police nationale congolaise) had conducted raids and searches of residences in some parts of the capital, preventing civilians from leaving their homes for several hours. He expressed particular concern at allegations of arbitrary detentions by police not just in Kinshasa, but also in Kisangani, Tshikapa and Goma, including of journalists trying to cover demonstrations in the capital on 19 September. According to reports, some 300 people have been arrested since Monday.

Zeid reminded the Government of its obligations to respect international standards on the use of force during demonstrations. “The deployment of Republican Guards for crowd control, despite the fact that they were heavily implicated in the excessive use of force which led to numerous casualties during the 2011 elections, is deeply worrisome, and I urge the Government to immediately withdraw them from the streets and instead deploy properly trained police forces with appropriate equipment for crowd control,” he said. The High Commissioner also regretted that no one was held to account for the serious violations committed by members of the Republican Guards and the police in the context of the 2011 elections.

“Back in July, when I visited the DRC, I noted that the country was at a pivotal moment, with tensions on the rise and crucial electoral deadlines approaching. I also warned that the political uncertainty could lead to a serious crisis and outbreak of violence. To pull back from this dangerous trajectory, a fully inclusive dialogue must be restored and all sides must exercise restraint. It is absolutely crucial to ensure full accountability for the many human rights violations that have occurred this week, through a prompt, transparent and impartial investigation.”

The High Commissioner also strongly condemned the attacks by unknown assailants against the headquarters of the ruling party, a courthouse, a school and several government buildings, including police stations, as well as other criminal acts, such as looting and destruction of private property. He stressed that the investigation should also seek to identify the people responsible for these attacks and ensure that they are held accountable, in full accordance with the law.

“My Office stands ready to bring any kind of support to the Congolese authorities in their investigations,” said Zeid.

At UN debate, Kenyan Vice-President implores Security Council to take Somalia situation ‘seriously’ (21.09.2016)

rutoun

21 September 2016 – Addressing the United Nations General Assembly, the Vice-President of Kenya today implored the UN Security Council to align the mandate of the African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM) to the threat levels in that neighbouring country, and to provide adequate, predictable funding and other support for the Mission.

“For the last two and half decades, the region has been seized with the situation in Somalia,” Vice-President William Ruto said. “Throughout this time, Kenya has stood with Somalia, provided a safe haven for refugees, joined peacekeeping missions, and invested resources in combating al-Shabaab and its affiliates.”

This solidarity has helped to substantially weaken the al-Shabaab militant group, liberated large swathes of land in Somalia and provided the space for its Government to begin the journey of rehabilitation and reconstruction, he explained.

On its part, Kenya has committed to $10 million in new funds to support the safe, dignified and orderly repatriation of the more than 400,000 Somali refugees in Kenya. “Sadly, the efforts of the region and Somalia’s neighbours have not been matched by the international community,” he stated.

Instead of supporting regional activities, the European Union this year cut support for AMISOM by 20 per cent. Despite repeated appeals, the UN Security Council has failed to provide adequate, predictable funding, as well as force multipliers for AMISOM.

“I once again implore members of the Security Council to take this matter seriously and align the mandate of AMISOM to the threat levels in Somalia on land, air and sea,” he said.

On South Sudan, Vice-President Ruto said that Kenya, as a guarantor of the 2005 comprehensive peace agreement and the 2015 Agreement on the Resolution of the Conflict, has been spearheading the search for sustainable peace, continues to invest significantly in efforts to build peace.

Echoing an earlier statement made by Ghana’s President, Mr. Ruto said that Africa accounted for only three per cent of global trade. Meanwhile, Africa’s population is set to surpass that of India and China combined by 2050. “Unless the trade imbalance is reversed as a matter of urgency, this will accentuate vulnerability, poverty, risk of insecurity and instability for both Africa and the rest of the world,” he said.

In the pursuit of sustainable solutions to global challenges, Kenya hosted the UN Environmental Assembly in May, the 14th session of the UN Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) in July, and the Sixth Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD VI) in August. Kenya will also host the second high-level meeting of the Global Partnership for Effective Development Cooperation in Nairobi later this year.

As the current chair of the UN Peacebuilding Commission, Kenya has been at the forefront of advocating for a new peacebuilding architecture for sustainable peace throughout the world, he said, drawing attention to a pledging conference Kenya will co-host later today to boost the Secretary-General’s Peacebuilding Fund.

“For us the message is clear: If we are ever to enjoy a peaceful world for all, we cannot invest any less in peacebuilding than we do in peacekeeping,” he said.

Zimbabwe: I’m impressed by the Zanu-PF officially banning they’re own National Flag!

Evan Mawarire 13.07.2016

Well, President Mugabe has never been totally rational as his service has always been run on the emotions and the irrational belief that he is the only character that can run the Nation after the Smith Government. Now, the Zanu-PF is full circle as the #ThisFlag movement is so powerful that the leaked information on outrages part of business from the Southern African state comes.

That is not banning demonstrations, more police brutality that is so regular that the tongues get comfortable numb. The Zanu-PF the Secretary for Justice, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs Virginia Mabiza have signed a document saying that using the National Symbol of Zimbabwe Flag is no illegal. If you import, produce or wear anything with the National Flag of the proud the nation you can get fined $200! If you’re unlucky you can get impersonated up-to 6 months. In the document surfacing is even saying that the ones doing this illegal activity as the manufacture or wearing as this is seen as an illegal activity.

This proves how far the nonsense of the ruling regime, the draconian laws that are into levels of ridiculous as before where they went it more expensive to go online and buy computers. The level of impunity, the National Assembly will soon make it illegal to jaywalk and will make traditional dresses illegal to wear as they represent the Zimbabwean idea. The Zimbabwean idea that isn’t made in the image of Mugabe or his Zanu-PF who thinks they own the people and their minds.

Zanu-PF you have impressed with me with your foolishness and this proves that you’re so far from legitimate government that can be as your soon also making the National Animal or National Bird from being printed on Merchandize. Kudos props and acknowledges the abuse of movement, freedom and liberty of the citizens of Zimbabwe.

The Citizens should be allowed without any questions honour the national flag and use it the way they see fit. The Government shouldn’t sanction it unless they would use it to detoriate or do unholy stuff to it. Like the Zanu-PF youth who burned it after a #ThisFlag demonstrations earlier this year. That Pastor Evan Mawarire and his organizing have hurt the Zanu-PF so much that they want to stop their own citizens from using their own National Symbol!

But hey, the Chinese are offering blood-money for you to build 650 seats in Parliament in Harare. So the Zanu-PF gets a pay day while using excessive force to silence their opposition. Peace.  

zim20092016

RDC: Communique de la Conference Episcopale Nationale du Congo sur la Crise Actuelle (20.09.2016)

rdc-20-09-2016-p1rdc-20-09-2016-p2

Le Facilitateur du Dialgue national inclusif Edem Kodjo presente ses Condolence aux Congolais (20.09.2016)

edem-kodjo-20-09-2016

Burundi: EU renews sanctions until 31 October 2017 (20.09.2016)

2016-01-15_2151_itw_burundi_un_ohchr

These measures consist of a travel ban and asset freeze against four persons whose activities were deemed to be undermining democracy or obstructing the search for a political solution to the crisis in Burundi.

BRUSSELS, Belgium, September 20, 2016 – On 20 September 2016, the Council renewed the EU restrictive measures against Burundi until 31 October 2017. These measures consist of a travel ban and asset freeze against four persons whose activities were deemed to be undermining democracy or obstructing the search for a political solution to the crisis in Burundi. These activities include acts of violence, repression or incitement to violence, and acts which constitute serious human rights violations.

The EU has repeatedly and continuously called on all parties to refrain from, and to condemn, any acts of violence. This is essential if the conditions for progress in the search for a political solution to the crisis are to be put in place and maintained.

The Council considered that the absence of progress in the situation regarding the four persons under restrictive measures justified the prolongation of the sanctions.

The names of the persons concerned and the reasons for listing them are included in the annex to the decision of 1 October 2015 published in the Official Journal.

“Alarm over Protests and Harassment of U.S. Special Envoy in the DRC” (19.09.2016)

us-drc-19092016-p1us-drc-19092016-p2