Somalia and international partners unveil New Policing Model (26.06.2018)

Federal government of Somalia along with international partners unveil support programme for New Policing Model.

MOGADISHU, Somalia, June 26, 2018 – The Somali Federal government, Member States and international community partners launched a Joint Police Programme (JPP) for the Somali Police Force at a ceremony held in Mogadishu. The programme will strengthen the professionalism and accountability of the police and improve peace and security for all Somali citizens.

During the event, Acting UK Ambassador to Somalia Mary Shockledge announced £14 million to the JPP and called on other donors to support the coordinated implementation of the National Security Architecture through this mechanism.

Speaking at the ceremony, UK Deputy Ambassador Mary Shockledge said, “We look forward to continued close working relations with all partners to drive effective implementation; ensuring this programme translates into tangible positive impact and change on the ground”.

Spearheaded by the Federal Ministry of Internal Security, the programme is also expected to expedite the ongoing transition of security responsibilities from the African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM) to Somalia’s security forces.

The Somali Federal Minister of Internal Security, Federal Member State representatives, Somali Police Commissioner and Deputy Mayor of Mogadishu welcomed the JPP as a stride forward in building local ownership and long lasting peace and development.

The Minister of Internal Security, Mohamed Abukar Islow said,”The Joint Police structure demonstrates the best way to coordinate policing so that we form an effective policing system in Somalia. This investment in the Somali Police is an excellent opportunity for rebuilding our country and the development of peace and security”.

Adopted by Somalia’s political leadership in 2016, the New Policing Model was presented at last year’s London Conference on Somalia as a key pillar of the country’s National Security Architecture.

Somali Police Force Commissioner General Bashir Abdi Mohamed said:It is essential to have a police that is responsible for their actions, based on the core universal principles of legality, necessity, professionalism and responsibility.

The JPP has already received commitments from the United Kingdom and the European Union totaling $42 million.

RDC: Ensemble – Communique de Presse (27.06.2018)

SPLM-IO: On the Khartoum Face-to-Face Peace Process (26.06.2018)

Opinion: Did Al-Bashir win today? – Seems like the Nasir Rebellion worked out in his favor!

Today, the release of the Points of Framework Agreement of 25th June 2018 was released. Key sentences from the agreement between Transitional Government of National Unity(TGoNU)/Sudan People’s Liberation Movement/Army(SPLM/A) of President Salva Kiir Mayardit and Sudan People’s Liberation Movement/Army – In Opposition (SPLM/A-IO) of Dr. Riek Machar with oversight of agreement of the Sudanese President Omar Al-Bashir. The sentence between these gentlemen that can be put in question is this:

To delegate the government of Sudan to take the necessary steps towards securing oil fields in South Sudan in coordination with the Government of South Sudan, and to work on the rehabilitation of the oil fields with the view to restore previous levels of the oil production. In this context, the outstanding issues between the two sisterly countries of Sudan and South Sudan related to oil sector shall be resolved” (Points of Framework Agreement, 25.06.2018).

Did the Nasir rebellion against Dr. John Garang win did this week? Since the years has gone since Dr. Riek Machar rebelled against Garang with support of Khartoum. Now the Khartoum government clearly has one over the New Sudan and the vision of independent South Sudan. Especially if they are taking more control of the oil sector in both Republics. This is a solid victory for the Warlord of Khartoum. He has solidified his balance and his terms, without doing much of late. His partner and friend Machar has served him a victory. The Nasir Fraction has given way and made sure that support of SPLM/A-IO, the rebellion that started in Nasir in 28th August 1991. That means the battle and support of Al-Bashir was worth it for Machar.

That Kiir and SPLM/A should feel fooled, they should as they we’re battling for independence and control of the oil reserves, but if the agreement is ratified. Than the Khartoum still will have control and the issues of the past will resurface. This is like the past has hit Juba again. The New Sudan has been outsmarted and the plans of interference and using proxy militias has worked for Al-Bashir. The Kiir government are really tarnishing the ideas the of Dr. Garang if he follows these provisions and honors these words. Then the New Sudan is slowing dying, as they are still noble creatures being told what to earn and how much to get by the Khartoum regime.

That this wasn’t what South Sudan fought for, when they fought for secession from Khartoum. They didn’t sign agreements of separation to give securities and the valuable oil be controlled by Al-Bashir. He is getting his will and the Nasir Rebellion has succeeded today.

Especially if the partners are following this or even thinking of implementing this. Certainly, this is disrespectful to long battle for freedom from Khartoum. That the Warlords has possibly traded away the thing of the most value, the oil. The revenue will again be in control from afar.

This is a victory for Khartoum and a loss for Juba. Certainly looks like it to me. The South Sudanese might gotten a cease-fire, but with these provisions. It is surely costly and loss of independence after all. Peace.

South Sudan: Points of Framework Agreement (25.06.2018)

Cameroon: Statement of the United Nations Resident Coordinator on the Cameroon’s Humanitarian Assistance Plan (22.06.2018)

Zimbabwe: Condolence Message by His Excellency the President, CDE E.D. Mnangagwa Following the Death of Two Officers in a Bomb Blast (26.06.2018)

EFF statement on the 63rd Anniversary of the Freedom Charter (26.06.2018)

Refugee Scandal: The OPM doubled the refugee numbers in Imvepi, West Nile!

If you ever think there was a big business adding ghosts. The Office of the Prime Minister in Uganda has made that their bread- and butter. They are known for this, but the UNHCR and other partners are making it sound like a “mistake”. Because they know if the Republic has more refugees, it would be easier to ask for more and more donations, bigger donations and even huge to cover the need for shelter, food and education of the refugees. Especially in our time, when the Western Hemisphere is doing whatever they can to stop the flow of migrants going their way. The European Union and their partners rather pay Uganda to keep the settlements, than get them moving to the Mediterranean to a better future. That is why I am not shocked that the OPM inflated the numbers and made the amounts sound bigger, it means they could collect more donations and get more hurry for funds to cover expenses of the Republic.

However, government and the UNHCR are insisting that the discrepancies do not appear deliberate but were occasioned by circumstances imposed by the mass influx and complex movements of refugees in the country. In Imvepi Refugee Settlement in West Nile for example, 53,856 refugees were verified using the Biometric Information Management System (BIMS) against 127,325 which had been registered under the government’s Refugee Information Management System (RIMS), representing a 58 per cent drop, according to figures by the Office of the Prime Minister (OPM). During a June 7 “coordination meeting” chaired by the Prime Minister, Dr Ruhakana Rugunda, whose minutes this newspaper has seen, OPM officials resolved to pursue the culprits in the scam and discuss how to manage the information flow to avoid potential backfire about the scandal. “OPM should initiate a report that will give a comprehensive brief about those issues and solutions as so far taken to solve the problem. The brief should be pre-emptive of the criticism that may be likely to come from other agencies concerning these discrepancies,” the minutes read in part” (Kafeero, 2018).

This is one report of the UNHCR and OPM working together after the inflated number and OPM Refugee scandal hit the headlines a while ago. Not that anyone should be shocked, the monetary gains for faking the numbers are huge and to pay for ghosts are cheap. That is how you go from a Toyota Prado to a Ford Expedition, even by luck a Land Rover Discovery. The politician can be flagged down in the most beautiful SUV with tinted windows in the village. That will be worth it for cheating someone who doesn’t care anyway.

That is why this is not shocking. What is seriously foolish, is that UNHCR are white-washing the problem. As they are accepting the initial numbers, which was forged to secure more funding, but calling it a mistake. While the OPM want to solve it now, as it makes them look greedy, which they are. They are trying to directly eat of the plate of the refugees and eat the donor aid for the ones fleeing crisis to stay in safety in Uganda. That is why the OPM shouldn’t just make a report, but come clean on all their numbers. As this is just one Refugee Settlement in West Nile. Who knows what sort of numbers they have forged and fixed to get more donations. Because, I don’t trust the OPM. They are in the business of inflating and making the government look good, while applying for funds from donors.

Amama Mbabazi was know for his shady deals and Rugunda have followed suit. Therefore, the Office itself is doing business- as usual, That business lying out of their teeth, while acting like nothing bad is happening behind closed doors. Peace.

Reference:

Kafeero, Stephen – ‘Government, UN probe finds inflated refugee figures’ (26.05.2018) link: http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/Government-UN-probe-finds-inflated-refugee-figures/688334-4629122-15pwjiuz/index.html

Uganda Media Centre: Press Release on RDCs (25.06.2018)