Opinion: The West always needs a Mobutu, right now that is Biya!

Well, how can I say it, but the West supported and aided the former Democratic Republic of Congo (then Zaire) President Mobutu Sese Seko from the 1965 until they overthrew him in 1997, when they installed their next puppet. This was Laurent Kabila and his short-lived rule of the Republic. However, this writings will not be about that. Which I have written extensively in the past. Today, I am focused on Cameroon. As the similar fashion is happening in Yaounde and Douala. Where President Paul Biya has ruled on decree for 36 years and is 85 years old. When done with the newly elected term, he will rule into 2025 and will be by then 92 years old.

That means that the West is still supporting and keeping a man as their stooge, as he has been steady in Europe. This man is practically living in Switzerland eating the resources and state reserves from a hotel bed. That is why his decrees and tyranny continues living lavish abroad. Because no one is sanctioning him. As long as he is peaceful and doesn’t mess with the Françafrique or the British interest on the continent. The political navigator of Cameroon can see that Biya has done both. He even sends letter of condolences elsewhere, but put curfew in the anglophone area. Where he sends his armies to burn villages.

That is why I feel at this present time. The Western Power with their statement after the recent election. They are acting as it was nothing wrong, nothing to condemn. As the US are even betraying the Cameroonians with saying they can do this with legal remedies. Just like they didn’t see all Constitutional Court threw out with all appeals to have a re-run and say this forged election was funky dory and nothing wrong.

Why I am saying the West is acting like they did for so long with Mobutu. Look at these statements from London and Washington D.C.!

UK Statement after announced election results:

The UK congratulates President Paul Biya on his re-election” (…) “We hope that President Biya will reach out to all sections of Cameroonian society and work to build confidence and trust. It is crucial for all parties to engage in a peaceful and structured process leading to constitutional reforms, as previously set out by the President, and avoid excessive use of force” (Minister for Africa Harriett Baldwin – ‘Minister for Africa statement on Cameroon elections’ 23.10.2018).

US Statement after announced election results:

The United States congratulates the people of Cameroon for largely peaceful elections on October 7. We urge all parties – including the government – to respect the rule of law, resolve peacefully any disputes through established legal channels, and avoid hate speech” (Heather Nauert – ‘ Cameroon’s Presidential Election Results’ 22.10.2018).

UK says the Cameroonians should build confidence. That is the same day, as the government asks for tenders to build the Constitutional Court President a new house worth 500,000 US Dollars on the day after the announced elections. They are asking people to trust in Biya, that he will lead a process and constitutional reforms, for a man who is building a mansion for the ones announcing his victory and throwing away the opposition in the week before?

Also, the US congratulate the people on their misery. As they are supposed to respect the rule of law and act peacefully. As the President are corrupt, using the army against them, arresting opposition leaders and activists in the Anglophone regions. They are supposed to be loyal subjects to their noble kingpin Biya. How can they use legal channels? When they did and the Constitutional Court, didn’t see any merit in their case? As the marred and unverified leaked results of 14th October was announced on the 22nd October! Explain that or doesn’t the United States understand that concept? Maybe they are all drinking to much diet-coke to think for second before writing a statement?

Well, this is so like the West did march behind Mobutu. Until the West got tired of him and his misuse of power. We can wonder Biya is taking it too far or goes overboard. Because seemingly he can do whatever without any costs. He is not sanctioned, there are no response, even as people fleeing to Nigeria and elsewhere from the internal conflict and use of army against civilians.

That they are not condemning or even saying anything of substance. They will not act against this man, even if they should. It seems like he is their man and therefore, they ask for peaceful means, but the man in charge is serving the public violence. If not rampant corruption and thieving of the state resources. That is in the open. As proven today, when the President of Constitutional Court has been given a new mansion for services rendered. That is the memo to the public.

Therefore, if the US and UK was serious. They would have stated it differently and they didn’t. Proof that Biya is the modern-day Mobutu. Just awaiting the next sequence and how this turns out. Or if the loyalty to the Western Powers is paying off in the end. Because seemingly no one dares to touch him or even question his legitimacy. Peace.

Cameroon: West Region – Divisional Officer of Baham Sub-Division – Communique Radio (15.10.2018)

Is it okay for Machakos County: That they get direct grants from the World Bank?

Today, the Governor of Machakos County appointed the County and Budget Forum. However, what was very revealing was what Dr. Alfred Mutua was implying within the documents, not who he appointed to the position. Usually that would be an important piece to look into.

However, today was the day where the Governor revealed directly that the World Bank Development secured 1bn Ksh per year for 6 years to the infrastructure building in the county. This being roads, electricity and other needed government services in the municipalities of Machakos.

Usually these sort of arrangements are done directly with the National Government or the Parliament, as to where the development is happening and where the grants are going. Which project that matter and what is sufficiently holding the standards of the stakeholders and the ones contributing the funding. Nevertheless, here the implication is that the World Bank is directly involved in all county functions from sewage to building roads. That their funding are going to do what the government is supposed to deliver. This being the natural delivery of the state and basic upkeep of the infrastructure. Instead of being tax-payers own money, they are using funds from abroad to do the needed development projects and to get the needed services in the municipalities of Machakos.

We can wonder what does the Jubilee government and Kenyatta think of this? When the Counties themselves are directly making arrangements and funding deals with the World Bank? In a republic filled to the brim of loans and lack of cash-flow, these sort of deals would be appropriate to go through the Central Government before the Local Government. However, that one has not captured the imagination. Because shouldn’t the Central Bank of Kenya or the Cabinet Secretary of Finance Henry Rotich signed it off before the County announced the loans?

That is what is bugging me, or is the counties so liberated from the Central Government now? But wouldn’t the rate of loans and grants be more uncontrolled and have less transparent system, if every Governor has the chance to grab these from Multi-National Financial Institutions and find ways to apply these locally? Even though they know directly what and where things need to be built and what is lacking. Still, they should have a rubberstamp from the CS and the National Treasury and CBK before thinking about it. Because in the mind of the Governor, he just announced it in passing together with the appointments to the different boards in his county. Peace.

Zimbabwe: A messed up Gumbo, a possible need for an authorization to use jerrycans for fuel!

Those using tanks, drums and jerry cans all, those forms of containers should stop and we are sending out inspectors and the Zimbabwe Republic Police and if anybody is going to be found maybe overcharging or using drums might have their licences withdrawn. We are not going to allow that…” – The Minister for Energy and Power Development Joram Gumbo (Maveriq – ‘Govt To Ban Jerry Cans, Drums, Fuel Containers At Service Stations – Energy Minister’ 16.10.2018, link: https://news.pindula.co.zw/2018/10/16/govt-to-ban-jerry-cans-drums-fuel-containers-at-service-stations-energy-minister/).

I thought the Zimbabwe African National Union – Patriotic Front (Zanu-PF) and the new President Emmerson Mnangagwa would open the Republic for business. Mnangagwa is clearly out on the line. The government have issued new taxes and the costs of everything has gone up. As well as the lack of foreign exchange is now rampant.

Since the added taxes on Mobile Money was enacted, the lack of US dollars and the imports of products have gotten worse. Even shops are lacking stocks and people were stockpiling before the shops gotten empty. With this has also started a fuel crisis. Where people are waiting in line for hours for fuel.

As this is getting worse now. The Minister for Energy Gumbo has issued statements of intent of authorization of usage of jerry cans, where you need to be Authorised and stamped by Environmental Management Agency, the District Administrator and Police Regulating Authority. Where the person who is allowed to bring a jerry can, has to write which station in question and address, also drivers license information and even how many liters of fuel is allowed to fill.

The Zanu-PF is really now making life harder, as the people using motorcycles, cars and lorries have to ask permission to fill fuel into jerry cans. This is done in 2018. If you thought things was bad during Mugabe. The rising inflation and the economic crisis of 2008 might be repeated. As the state is going even further with using tactics to stall the issue.

If the state is really doing this, they will be in a special state. Where the citizens are running between the authorities to get authority to use the jerry cans before going to the Petroleum-Station to get a refill of fuel.

This is a sign of how serious the lack of fuel is and what extent the state does to stop the usage of fuel. They wouldn’t do it, if they didn’t have issues with importing it and having enough foreign currency to afford new imports.

This crisis is created by the Zanu-PF and the citizens are paying. And they are making the matters worse. Instead of repealing the taxes to stop inflation and making things run out. They are instead making it harder for the public to get fuel in their vehicle. Peace.

Kampala is a political mess: That is not Musisi’s fault!

That the political map and the organization in and around Kampala is frustrating. Is because there is first the Kampala Capital City Authority, who is a legal administration and Executive Director Jennifer Musisi. The Second there is the elected City Hall with the Lord Mayor Erias Lukwago and the Divisions and Wards. Thirdly is the Ministry of Kampala and the State Minister Beti Kamya. Fourthly is the Members of Parliament representing the Capital City itself and the fifth the Presidential Advisor for Kampala Singh Katangole. Plus you have the added interference of the State House and the President, who micro-manage everywhere and especially in the Capital.

When you see this and the stages, you knew Jennifer Musisi had a hard job. Surely it was easier when she and the Minister Frank Tumwebaze impeached the Lord Mayor in 2013. So, they settled the score and one less item to pass through. Because you don’t need to be a wise-guy to understand there are to many cooks and to many procedures to do anything in Kampala.

You don’t only has the elected from the Wards to the Lord Mayor, the ones elected in Parliament with their reasons and wants of change. The KCCA has their jurisdiction, the City Hall has their, the Ministry orders people around and the Presidential advisor says whatever he says to the President, who suddenly intervenes as well. That is why I have always been worried about Kampala.

The hierarchy and the political landmines are everywhere. There are no leeway, as the monitoring and the checks and balances comes into question. The KCCA answers to the Ministry and orders the City Hall. The City Hall is ordered by both the KCCA and Ministry, while the City Hall is trying to have a saying in the KCCA and the Ministry, without getting anywhere. As they are both acting as the City Hall is a symbolic enterprise. Instead of having elected leadership to make changes, the President has appointed the KCCA and the Ministry to try to evaporate the City Hall. To some extent they have managed that.

We know that even the Division Mayors have wondered what their tasks are, as they have little or less to do. As well, as the Lord Mayor are feeling override by the KCCA. The KCCA was established to counter the opposition and get in their way. Combined with the Ministry of Kampala, they are never giving space and when the State House orders the Minister. The whole chaos are happening. Like the kicking out of vendors from Owino Park Yard. This was done by the will of State House on decree by the Minister and met with hostile reception from the Lord Mayor. This is a sign of a messed up system and not of building a better Kampala.

There are too many cooks and for a reason. The President wanted to ensure the value of the elected leadership get as low as possible, while his loyal minions will overcome them. That is seemingly working, but must be tiring and Musisi gave up battling with the Ministry, State House and City Hall. That is unforgiving job, but she carried it and did what the President wanted her to do. The only thing she didn’t manage was to usher Ragga Dee in as Lord Mayor. Peace.

KCCA Executive Director Jennifer Musisi Resignation Letter to President Museveni (15.10.2018)

Zimbabwe: The statement as given by Hon Monica Mutsvangwa (15.10.2018)

Cameroon: Various Presidential Election Results (3 Unverified Results)

First Version:

Second Version:

Third Version:

Side-Note: 

By what it seems, the ELECAM plans to say the incumbent President won by about 70%. Let see what happens. This is the documents leaked today. None is verified, but they give waves and the currents of what is up. Peace.

DPP’s Press Statement on Investigations into Allegations of Mismanagement of Funds during the 2016 Rio Olympics Summer Games (13.10.2018)