Uganda: National Logistics Platform Press Conference – Press Statement (02.06.2020)

African Development Bank Group: Recent News Reports and the African Development Bank (27.05.2020)

Central Bank of Kenya (CBK): Monetary Policy Committee Meeting (27.05.2020)

Opinion: US-China relations sours even more…

It is like the United States own failures is used as an option to hurt Chinese Business interests. This is not only the sanctions and stopping of Huawei trading in the United States. The US has sanctioned 24 entities yesterday for their connections to the Chinese Military. Also on the same day, the US Commerce did also put sanctions on 9 companies connected to the oppression of Uighur in Xinjiang province.

That means the US has put their mission and blocks certain companies. Also ensures that these corporations or entities less traction in International trading. Just as the US Department of Commerce put it: “The Department of Commerce’s Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS) announced it will add 24 governmental and commercial organizations to the Entity List for engaging in activities contrary to the national security or foreign policy interests of the United States. The entities, based in China, Hong Kong, and the Cayman Islands, represent a significant risk of supporting procurement of items for military end-use in China” (Commerce.gov, 22.05.2020).

Also, the other piece from them state this: “These nine parties are complicit in human rights violations and abuses committed in China’s campaign of repression, mass arbitrary detention, forced labor and high-technology surveillance against Uighurs, ethnic Kazakhs, and other members of Muslim minority groups in the Xinjiang Uighur Autonomous Region (XUAR). This action will supplement BIS’s first tranche of Entity List designations in October 2019 involving 28 parties engaged in the XUAR repression campaign in Xinjiang” (Commerce.gov, 22.05.2020).

Yes, the actions of China and Chinese government in concern to the Uighur people is outrageous and morally wrong. No question in my mind. The activity and the destruction of them as a minority is wrong. However, in my mind, this is using them as en excuse for US selfish reasons. This is insincere. Because, its not like the US will open the arms for immigrants fleeing similar situations elsewhere. The US is building walls and closing its borders for asylum seekers fleeing situations like the Uighurs. So, the US is using this an argument, but not a legit one from this administration.

This administration cannot even make good lies. They are so open on their motives. This is direct trade-war and efforts as a scapegoat in the midst of the tragic COVID-19 Pandemic. The US needs a scapegoat and righteously so is it fitting to blame Beijing and China. Instead of looking at own inaction and lack of concern to what happen.

The US has also already put tariffs on Chinese production and products already. Therefore, this is a continuation. However, by every step and every action. The US is losing leverage and they are also paying the price. They need to go elsewhere for trading similar things. If not pay more, as they are stopping certain parts of imports from there.

The Chinese are doing their wrongs too. Nevertheless, the Foreign Affairs wrote this yesterday, which state it perfectly: We urge the US side to abandon its Cold War mentality and ideological bias, follow the trend of the times, view China and China-US relations in an objective and rational way, immediately stop interfering in China’s internal affairs, harming China’s interests or undermining China-US relations, and work with China to bring bilateral relations back onto the right track” (Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Zhao Lijian’s Regular Press Conference on May 22, 2020).

This here says it all. Yes, the relations is based on both parties gives and takes. However, right now, the reality is that the one aiming and hitting one party. Is the US whose shooting down and tracing their targeted companies or entities. Just like last years tariffs and such, which has also slowed things down. The US is doing this and the Chinese has retaliated. This will continue. Just like the Chinese banned certain journalists and media houses within the Republic. That is all natural in the sense of the relations between them.

This is all hostile. There is not function or care. The US President says everything is China’s fault. While he hasn’t carried water for happen within his own borders. Therefore, that isn’t a fair assessment. It is an easy victimhood in this pandemic. Yes, the origin was from China. They didn’t do enough and do it correctly. Still, the US didn’t care about the warning signs either or did what they should have done. That is the 20/20 hindsight, which deems both parties wrong in the sense of acting in accordingly to the danger of COVID-19.

However, this is about the trade war. Where for every step the US is attacking and targeting companies of Chinese origin. They have to release proof of these allegations now. Especially, the list of Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD). Where the Commerce Secretary says these companies are connected with this. If so, I would like to see proof and leaked documentation of sensitive intelligence. To actually prove the allegations. If not, the US is just using their power and means to kick the Chinese. Because, it is useful to have an enemy in this troubling time.

The Chinese is far from perfect and their reign within the One-Party state isn’t peaceful nor democratically anything to aspire too. Nevertheless, the US isn’t that great on this either. Especially, the way Trump Administration is just another epitome of baroque king-pin from the Big-Apple and Trump tower in New York. That is why these measures has to be explained to be believable.

The US cannot con the world anymore. They could in the past, but not now. This US-China Trade-War is only proving what sort of hostile force it is. Instead of finding diplomatic measures or even doing the hard work of talks between the parties. It is easier to sanction and block someone, than actually do the work. That is how it seems. They are using excuses and arguments of legit reasons to do something. But, a very important but, they are not proving the reasons for doing so.

If these companies are what they claim. Prove it and show it. Unless, they hare having a smokescreen and another visionary moment similar to the Iraqi WMDs in the early 2000s. Well, I’m looking forward to see that.

Until then, this is a propaganda victory for the Trump Administration with no hold in reality. Since, they are just blocking someone without any proof. They could say whatever and argue for it. Still, a man like me wants reasons for it.

Unless, they are just finding fitting measures to pressure Beijing, but that is not something they can do too long. Because, Washington D.C. doesn’t have that much leverage. Since, for every step they do. There is less of a reason for the Chinese to serve or even work in association with the US anyway. Peace.

Opinion: New Zim Dollar Notes, should we be worried now?

The first panacea for a mismanaged nation is inflation of the currency; the second is war. Both bring a temporary prosperity; both bring a permanent ruin. But both are the refuge of political and economic opportunists” Ernest Hemingway

Well, why do I say this? Well, the Reserve Bank and Ministry of Finance haven’t really been trustworthy nor transparent. Neither has the policies been pushed forward with trust and sincere objectives. Its like everything is a smokescreen and one day they hope it sticks. However, that is not how you build an economy.

Ever since the last hyper-inflation and total devaluation of the currency. The authorities and the Monetary Agencies has struggled to get their act together. This being with the Bond-Notes, and the RTGS Dollar. They tried to sign-off foreign currencies like the US Dollar and the Rand, but to no luck.

Now in May 2020 the same guys are relaunching the Zimbabwe Dollar Notes of 10 and 20 dollars denominations. We can really wonder if this will go well. The economy and currency value is built on trust, fate in it and in the possible strength of total economy. That’s why you need a hectic mess of measures from both the Reserves, the Ministry of Finance and hopefully some foreign support to recapitalise the currency.

Because, its not like back-in-the-day with the gold standard. Where the currency was as strong as the Reserves of Gold and the value of the gold. Now its so many measures into question, the liquidity of the state, loan interests and Forex values itself. They are co-existing and either adding or taking away value.

That is why the release of this currency is interesting. As the banknotes are supposed to signify a new beginning. A fresh start since the ceasing to exist over a decade ago. That’s why the devalued buddy of Bond-Notes haven’t been cracking and neither has the RTGS Dollar, which is a dumb name for a currency if there ever was one. At least the ZWL makes sense and the return might bring some hope.

However, this state who has mismanaged every single other policy in regards to economy. Why would they succeed with this one? Why wouldn’t they print it like crazy and pay-off debts and whatnot with it?

So, that we within a scope of time see there being shortages, lack of currency afloat and also hyper-inflation. In a sense where suddenly the need for more digits comes quickly. Just like it did last time. When the numbers skyrocketed and still the currency was worthless.

We can hope that this doesn’t happen, but these guys has screwed so expectationally with this before- ZANU-PF rather wants to rule by the gun, than by trust. That’s why you cannot trust their policies nor their intentions. This is maybe just another smoking gun. We don’t know, but the release of two new notes. Only begs to question.

How long will this last? Before inflations spiral out like crazy. We’re soon here shivers from the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe and the stories of Albatross returns like hungry hippo. So, let’s be honest here. This here is futile. You need to have trust, mechanisms and balance to build a currency, as there is gold as securities. There is only hope and trust. Two things ZANU-PF and their institutions are lacking.

The only thing they have is looting and impunity, that is not measures to build a functioning state. Nor a strong and beloved currency for people to use for buying and selling. Peace.

Getafix of Madagascar Part III: The origin of the cure doesn’t matter, as long as it’s clinically tested and proven!

If it wasn’t Madagascar, and if it was a European country that had actually discovered this remedy, would there be so much doubt? I don’t think so, African scientists… should not be underestimated. I think the problem is that (the drink) comes from Africa and they can’t admit… that a country like Madagascar… has come up with this formula to save the world” – President Andry Rajoelina (In an interview to French Media on the 11th of May.2020).

As I ended the last piece of this, the President of Madagascar got a bridge to sell. This is apparently his pride and joy. Maybe, the saving grace of this term in office. I don’t know, but what I do know. Is that the CVO – Tambvy or COVID-19 Herbal Tea made with stevia and artemesia annua hasn’t been clinically tested, neither proven its benefits in concern to the COVID-19 or Coronavirus.

Not that plants or algae and other medicinal plants isn’t used in modern industry. Most of them are extracted from plants, formulated and tested before unleashed on the market. To ensure the safety, the amount of extracts and compounds within the plant before creating a medicine out of it.

This not me saying it, its The National Academy of Medicine of Madagascar (ANAMEM), who in the end of April 2020 stated this: “ it is a medicine for which the scientific evidence has not yet been established”. So with that in mind combined with the knowledge of where the scientific testing of annua and stevia been tested. It is clear the President is selling a dream.

If the CVO – Tambvy was clinically, scientifically tested and proven, where all factors was checked and had results. I would have no trouble to celebrate and be happy we had a fix. We had a remedy and a saving grace in the time of need. However, when you put something to market, selling it on the ideal of Pan-Africanism and using colonial stereotypes. When your addressing the likes of me. I don’t care where a remedy, medicine or the origin of it. As long as it heals and its done properly. That is all I am asking for, that the ones who has this as a field and expertise can look into the herbal mixture and deem if it as fit. See if it generate the results and has an effect. Not only pushed out on the market on a whim.

Because, pushing this sort of thing without it. Is just snake-oil salesmen tactic. This is the sort of selling a dream, which could easily turn into nightmare. When people are drinking it and it doesn’t help. What will the President and the Producers say? That is the risk of doing this.

I wish and hope we find a cure. That there are a proved and tested vaccine, cure or remedy against COVID-19 or the Coronavirus. However, selling this now and using this rhetoric only proves how unproven it is. Instead of doing the tests, showing the results and then offering to the market. Instead, the ANAMEM are asking for evidence. That should be a sign on the sky. This is not said by Europeans, but the scientific community of Madagascar.

So, my take is, I take a remedy from wherever, made with whatever, as long as it heals and has proven results. We don’t need to take chances and risk lives, selling the placebo effect and hoping someone has the daft luck of getting saved. The President should consider this, but he got a bridge to sell. Peace.

A Quarantine Memo Part III: It’s now modified (10.05.2020)

Kick in the door, waving the four-four

All you heard was Poppa don’t hit me no more

Kick in the door, waving the four-four

All you heard was Poppa don’t hit me no more” The Notorious B.I.G aka Biggie – ‘Kicking in the Door’ (1997).

Oslo, Norway 10th May 2020

Well, so here I am at this very moment preparing for yet another week with home office. Things are changing. In my home town they are serving beer and alcohol at the pubs, restaurants are slowly opening again. The normalcy is sort of returning, but with modifications. Less public transport, more home-office and adjustment in concern of cleaning of public spaces.

There are less death, less transmitted disease, the fear and worry of going to the grocery is sort of gone. Even if the knowledge that this could be a temporary state. Because, these sort of pandemics goes in cycles. Even we are going down on the curve as we speak. There is still a possibility of second wave, which can hit as hard or harder. Since people took it easy after the first measures and lockdowns.

We are not the only one, because the economy is the blessing that rules earth. “Cash Rules Everything Around Me, C.R.E.A.M Get the Money, Dollar Dollar Bill Y’All” (Wu Tang Clan). The words of the wordsmiths of Wu Tang still resonates with me too this day. With every living day on this earth, the addiction and the needs for currency gets ever so real.

That is why in the midst of a pandemic. Rising numbers of deaths. The still current escalations around us. Still governments tumbling to fix it. South Korea tried to re-open some functions, they closed them, when there cases connected them to them. They we’re open a hot minute before closing. Therefore, the project re-open needs to be done with care and consideration. Not only to the powerful dollar. That will not solve anything, maybe monetary liquidity of failing enterprises, but lives will be lost over the saving grace of silver coins.

We can wonder for ourselves, if the re-opening will be another social experiment. Where the state with an app and adjustments hopes that lesser people catches the sickness. Less people interact and uphold the social distance, washing of hands and such. Because, sooner or later these lessons might go astray. Since, there is no signs or effects in the open. As everything is normalizing. Has that been considered?

That is the risk of opening, even with the measures at hand. People will behave like people. That is just the way it is. This is the reality. We can hope that all the sanitizers, the cleanliness and all other efforts sticks until a vaccine is on the horizon. However, until then the reality needs to be caution. We have not been under lockdown, under self preserved quarantine for months and not ensured safety of more people. Neither, not having results of public change.

It is easy to forget, but for me… I have been stuck in my own home since mid-March. I am grateful to be as healthy as I went in. However, we can’t loose the end-game here. That we have remedy and cure, that he a fix for the issue. Because, right now, we are losing up for the mighty dollar and not because lives matters. Yes, these months has been a burden on companies, organizations and the state. But, money they can print new every single day, but, but a person only lives once.

That is why that unique person should be valued more than the currency. Yes, we all got to live, have a livelihood and a working society. However, for a short while trading away the perks, the benefits of 2020 and the socialization we are used too. Might do good, because we might extend someone’s life, who has medical conditions, which easily can harm that person even more if it gets COVID-19. That’s why its worth it and that’s the pivotal thing for the self-quarantine.

Not because the challenge was big for me or for anyone else sticking to home office. To not take public transport and follow advice. However, the greater good, the achievement of serving everyone as a citizen and as a person. Yes, it cost, but it is meagre compared to the ones whose really suffering. I just stayed in my home and only went to the grocery. This is nothing compared to others who fought in wars or faced starvation. We are lucky in that sense, that this was our way out of the pandemic for now. Because it could have been much worse.

We just have too see. Never give up and continue on. A luta Continua. Never give up. Never give in. Have hope for a better tomorrow and not let COVID-19 win. Peace.

NITA-U strengthens partnership with UNDP to promte e-commerce (08.05.2020)

Remarks by Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator, Mark Lowcock: Release of the Updated COVID-19 Global Humanitarian Response Plan (07.05.2020)

Zimbabwe Stock Exchange: Donation of ZSE trading levies to aid the fight against hte Covid-19 pandemic (07.05.2020)