Brexit: May is still indecisive on the Customs Union!

Sometimes, I wonder if Prime Minister Theresa May is living in Hogwarts or even Wakanda. Because the reality check needs to hit and quickly. Because her recent notes on the Brexit and especially the Customs Union with the European Union doesn’t make sense. It is like she wants free-trade, but doesn’t want to follow the standards and regulations of the EU. Sorry, Prime Minister, that is not how it works. You cannot control Brussels without being a member in Brussels. You have only London from now on and have to beg to get into EU Common Market as a Third Country. That is a very simple math, but still not understood after two years by the United Kingdom and HM Government in London.

The UK people should be appalled by what she is trying to pull. It is naive and foolish. The naivete and playing the public for fools. It is brilliant, but perfectly stupid. I will take three key quotes from the note she delivered on Facebook today, before commenting on the quotes further down below them.

This means we have to have friction-free movement of goods, avoiding the need for customs and regulatory checks between the UK and the EU. And this cannot happen if products have to go through different tests for different markets, or if customs declarations have to be made at the UK/EU border” (May, 2018).

So I believe we need to come together behind our plan. As the Trade Bill returns to the Commons this week, there are some planning to vote for amendments that would tie us to a permanent Customs Union with the EU. This would be the ultimate betrayal of the Brexit vote. It would remove our ability to have an independent trade policy at all, conceding Britain’s role on the global stage as a force for free trade and endangering people’s jobs and livelihoods. This government will never stand for that” (May, 2018).

We will leave the Single Market and Customs Union, and get out of the Common Agricultural Policy and the Common Fisheries Policy. We will have that independent trade policy and a new UK-EU free trade area with a common rulebook for industrial goods and agricultural products. We will maintain high standards in keeping with our values, so we continue to promote open and fair trade. We will have that Parliamentary lock on all new rules and regulations” (May, 2018).

First: Friction-free movement movement. Second: Betrayal if the Commons vote for permanent Customs Union and third promote open and fair trade. These three things doesn’t work together. It just doesn’t, this is getting old on me. It really do.

First if she wants friction-free movement of goods, she needs to have a government following standards, procedures and protocols, labeling and basic agreements of the Customs Unions with the EU. Second, if it is problem and betrayal of the Brexit to be in the Customs Union, than you can say bye bye to friction-free movement of goods, as the tariffs and checkpoints of goods will start. The borders will be fixed for a third country and not free movement of it from the UK and neither from Ireland or France into the UK. I know that is hard for May to understand, but that is the reality if you abolish the Customs Union. Third, you can promote open and fair trade, but it will not be open if you are abolishing the Customs Union, you will be a third country and be lesser important trading partner to the EU.

The UK might feel tricked and unfair trading practices, but this is the wish of the Tories and May. The fair trade has to wait, as they cannot change the regulations from the outside and neither control the trading flow of the Union. They can do that to Cardiff and Edinburgh, but not in Dublin or Brussels. So all three points when concerning trading doesn’t make sense. Unless, she wants to be a sheep in a wolfs clothing. Than, she has pulled it off.

I am not surprised anymore, but that she still does it like this. Is amazing after two years of negotiations and two years of making provisions for the UK. She still bickers and promise both gold, silver and dog-poop at the same time.

Theresa May, how stupid do your think your citizens are? Peace.

Reference:

Theresa May – ‘I say to the British people today: I am not going to Brussels to compromise our national interest; I am going to fight for it’ 15.07.2018

South Sudan: Humanitarian Coordinator calls for urgent scale up of humanitarian assistance in Tambura (12.07.2018)

CEPO: United Nation Secretary General Special Representative on Sexual Violence in Conflict visited South Sudan (14.07.2018)

Ethiopia: Human Peace Voice – Moyale Somali Ethnic Civilians Mascara (13.07.2018)

Kenya: DPP’s Press Statement on Investigation into KPLC Tenders for Supply of Transformers, Labour and Transport Contracts (14.07.2018)

President 4 Life: Paul Biya is apparently running again!

The news today that Paul Biya, the President of Cameroon, who has run the country since November 1982. Biya took oover after Ahmadou Ahidjo, who had run the country since independence in 1960. So the previous one run the Republic for 22 years and Biya have now run it for 36 years. Biya has now turned 85 years and plans another term. When your at that age, you should enjoy time with family and rest. However, this president is already relaxing in hotels and hot-spots in Switzerland. Therefore, we know he is not serious about running the Republic. In March 2018, he held his first Council of Minister since 2015!

That is why today is weird day, because this has been the leading man since November 1982. So today he declared his candidacy for the 7th Term on twitter:

Dear Compatriots in Cameroon & the Diaspora, Aware of the challenges we must take up together to ensure a more united, stable & prosperous Cameroon, I am willing to respond positively to your overwhelming calls. I will stand as Your Candidate in the upcoming presidential election” (Paul Biya, 13.07.2018).

Biya really doesn’t care about the citizens and neither about good governance. That is known as his army is making the Southern Cameroons and Anglophone Regions as a War-Zone. Biya, who has been in charge is leaving a torn nations behind and an aid-trapped one. Instead of the oil-rich and mineral rich country that was there in the beginning of his reign with a lot of promise.

That Biya has buried a generation or nearly two, because of his will and lack of succession. Biya took power in Coup and sentenced his predecessor Ahidjo to death in 1984. That he did only after 18 months after being into power. The Opposition Leader John Fru Ndi who just stepped down earlier this year as a Presidential Candidate in his party. He has been campaigning against Biya since 1990 and continued into 2018. That was 28 years, which he never got to see anyone else ruling Cameroon, than Biya.

Biya has eaten and continues to eat. The Switzerland resident and the one ordering the state by decree. Are now promising another elections in October 2018 and running again.

It is insulting that a man is taking his republic for granted. That he is misusing not only the state funds and living lavish abroad. But that he is stealing the future, destroying and killing the anglophone, but creating a power vacuum in the Republic. As he has the control from afar and just bunch of cronies, that should have been ancient relics and not in ministerial posts.

Biya is an old man, who doesn’t care about what he runs, he doesn’t care if his armies kills his own. As long as his wealth is spent in Switzerland. He should get a residential card there and leave Cameroon alone.

I am not from Cameroon, but this sort of man is a cancer to the state.

Biya should retire, not run for a 7th Term. That is stupid, the Republic deserves better. The Republic have enough talent and skills, have untapped leaders to take control. These leaders are out there, but the dictatorship is keeping them silent or silenced. 

They are not beholden just to one man. That is just silly. Peace.

Uganda: MoFPED – Press Statement – Study Leave for Hon. Evelyn Anite, the Minister of State for Finance, Planning and Economic Development (Privatisation & Investments) – (13.07.2018)

Letter:

Opinion: MPs Security Detail is prepared to be modern day Santana Scandal!

Shiish, there are just some news that doesn’t capture your eyes quick enough. I have read the letter, but didn’t capture all the details, neither the costs. However, there was several of gentleman at the Daily Monitor, that did. Therefore, I am writing here today, because of the possible cost of buying cars for MPs new security detail. This has been ordered by the President and his words is law. No matter how expensive or how insane it is.

Here is the case from today:

“On June 29, President Museveni ordered Finance minister Matia Kasaija to urgently procure bullet-proof cars with “sharp shooters” from the Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF) to protect lives of the MPs against what he termed “terrorists”. However, he did not give specifics on the cost of the vehicles and other related expenditures. Daily Monitor interviews with car manufacturers revealed that a 2017/18 model bullet-proof Land Cruiser pick-up costs about $520,000 (about Shs1.9b) while a 2017/18 model bullet-proof Hilux pick-up costs about $166,000 (Shs630m). Therefore to procure bullet-proof Land Cruisers for the 456 MPs at Shs1.9b each, the government would pay out Shs866b while to acquire 2017/18 bullet-proof Hilux model at Shs630m, it would cost government Shs287b” (Solomon Arinaitwe & Moses Kyeyune – ‘MPs security cars to cost Shs1 trillion’ 13.07.2018 link: http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/MPs-security-cars-cost-Shs1-trillion/688334-4660322-shcp27z/index.html).

This here deal is made for corruption and for ghost costs appearing out of nowhere. This here is just built for that. It is amazing if the government starts procuring, knowing with its history and misuse of state funds. This is the perfect blend, buying vehicles and add-ons on the spread-sheet, claim later added cost without explaining where the funds went. If not order things that never appear. That is also a beauty.

With this in mind, here is the old story that could be re-produced by buying the security detail:

“However, in mid-1988 when Balaki Kirya, minister of state in office of the President in charge of security went to Spain to sign an agreement, he found 260 Santana ‘Land-rovers’ valued at $6.1 million had already been shipped while the agents/lobbyists were negotiating for the importation of another 260 ‘Land-rovers’ now valued at $8 million. The saga leaked to the press. The Weekly Topic of May 3, 1989 had a lead story: ‘Old schemers at their game again, STOP MISUSING PRESIDENT OFFICE’. When contacted, officials from the National Treasury said the purchase was done without the knowledge of the Bank of Uganda (BoU). However, from the BoU archives, on April 8, 1988, a memorandum on the foreign exchange position, by the governor indicated among other payments to be made in the year was for the 260 Land-rovers from Spain for the President’s office and 600 Land-rovers for the ministry of Defence as well as the army uniform from Spain” (Eriasa Mukiibi Sserunjogi – ‘High-profile corruption scandals registered under NRM’ 24.02.2013 link: http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/High-profile-corruption-scandals-registered-under-NRM/688334-1702448-ndh6w6z/index.html).

I wouldn’t be amazed if the Ministry of Defence, the Minister of Finance and the Prime Minister would make a scheme worth paying off for. They would secure kick-backs and additional funds, this is a too important project and the safety of the MPs is the highest priority. Everyone knows that. Not that this is misusing of funds and making sure the MPs are driving around like hostages in their Republic. Nah, that is not important at all.

That the 456 MPs who already are allocated money for cars and upkeep of them. Still, they need a second one, with specialized produced safety gear, seems more like they are traveling past war-zones, than friendly neighbourhoods, what about the actual people that live there, are they safe?

Well, that was bit of subject. However, the reality is that this is made for corruption. Someone in the regime will eat and use this as package to get loaded. We can just wonder who and who will be put in charge, who will fake needed equipment and who will give away knock-offs instead of the real deal.

This MPs security deal can be a gold-mine to the right individual. However, whoever that might be, he has to remember to give the king his cut. That meaning the President in the State House, if not your see quickly the other side of the barrel. He has no issues getting rid of people. That is proven in history too.

I wish I could be hopeful, but to me, they are cooking another Santana Scandal. This time it might be the Hilux Scandal or the Land Cruiser Scandal of 2018.

I just know we will get there, but how, that is up to the magicians within the Kings court. Peace.

Statement by Uganda Law Society Concerning Continued Illegal Acts by the Security Organization (ISO) – (12.07.2018)

Statement by the Brexit Steering Group on UK Government White paper (12.07.2018)

Statement by the Brexit Steering Group on the Chequers Statement of 6 July 2018 and on the White Paper released by the UK Government.

The European Parliament’s Brexit Steering Group (BSG), chaired by Guy Verhofstadt, met today and had an extensive exchange of views on the Chequers Statement of 6 July 2018, as well as on the White Paper just released by the UK Government.

In a first reaction, it welcomed both the Statement and the White Paper by the UK Government as a step towards establishing a new relationship between the UK and the EU once the UK is no longer a Member State.

In particular, the BSG welcomed that the UK is proposing that the future EU-UK relationship take the form of an Association Agreement. Given this has been the Parliament’s position from the very beginning the BSG agrees with this approach which would place the future EU-UK relationship in all its dimensions – economic, sectoral, security, foreign policy – on a firm footing within a coherent governance structure.

The BSG reiterated that negotiating a new relationship with the UK post-Brexit is conditional on an orderly withdrawal of the UK from the EU on the basis of a Withdrawal Agreement (WA). It reconfirmed the Parliament’s position expressed in its resolutions that it will not consent to a WA, including a transition period, without a credible “back stop” provision for the Northern Ireland/Ireland border to prevent a hard border and safeguard the integrity of the single market, faithfully reflecting the commitments entered into in the Joint Report of 8 December 2017. It urged the UK Government to clarify its positions on the “back stop” so that the WA can be finalised as quickly as possible.

Other important elements of the WA, including its governance provisions, in particular a credible dispute settlement mechanism, also still need to be agreed. Moreover, regarding the implementation of the WA, the Parliament expects a positive response to its letter to Home Secretary Sajid Javid on 3 July 2018 and especially concerning the independent authority and the smooth registration of all EU citizens.

The BSG noted that negotiations on the WA and the framework for the future relationship will continue next week. It recalled its position for the closest trade and economic partnership possible while respecting among others the principles of the non-divisibility of the four freedoms, the integrity of the single market, avoiding a sector-by-sector approach and safeguarding financial stability, the preservation of the autonomy of EU decision-making, the safeguarding of the EU legal order and the balance of rights and obligations which any future EU-UK relationship will need to respect. In this framework there will be, for example, no space for outsourcing EU‘s customs competences.

The BSG stated its readiness to provide its input to the negotiation process at any time over the coming weeks and it will carry out a further assessment of the White Paper in the coming days and weeks.