Ghana: Ministry of Information – Government to take steps to Dissolve the Ghana Football Association (07.06.2018)

Joint Communique on the Occasion of the State Visit to the Republic of Uganda by His Excellency Dr. Abiy Ahmed Ali, Prime Minister of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia (08.06.2018)

Bugiri By-Election: My take on the squabble between Basalirwa and the FDC!

There is an upcoming Bugiri By-Election on the 10th July 2018, this is the new district with a new MPs and councilors. However, this will be focused on the MP election, which has been heated even long before the polls. Like it was been discussion and hard words hit either way. The Opposition has attacked each other and also shown disdain as the FDC are having a candidate and also JEEMA. Therefore, some people are saying they are splitting the vote. But if the candidates are good, then that shouldn’t matter. NRM, FDC and JEEMA fights for the same slot in Parliament.

The Candidates for this By-Election is National Resistance Movement (NRM) John Francis Oketcho, Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) Eunice Namatende and Justice Forum (JEEMA) Asuman Basalirwa. Therefore, there are three candidates, they are competing for the same possible office. This shouldn’t be shocking, as the Democratic Party (DP) and the Uganda People’s Congress (UPC) could in theory have fielded a candidate in this race. Even independents could run in it. So it is not a major crisis that its three candidates. Are the state of affairs so weak, that the opposition only feels safe if they field one candidate in every district?

There are many who is worried about fielding two opposition candidates, especially when many are standing behind JEEMA President Basalirwa, the UPC are standing behind him, Bobi Wine has endorsed him and parts of the rallies. There have been negotiations between JEEMA and FDC for a joint candidate. However, that stranded and the JEEMA team has attacked the FDC. Even went after Dr. Kizza Besigye, just like they did when he campaigned for the FDC candidate in Kyadondo East By-Election. So, we have seen this before. This is trying to tarnish FDC for their work and struggle.

To defend Besigye here is easy, as he has on both occasions just stood behind his party. It is natural, would Museveni rally behind any other party candidate? Both have been part or key person behind establishing their parties. Mao has helped other party candidates, but that is when their party doesn’t field anyone to be the flag-bearer like he did with Amama Mbabazi for President in 2016.

When people complain about the one candidate standing for this place, remember they already scrapped former Leader of Opposition in Parliament Wafula Oguttu. He is not just a random FDC leader and former MP. He was fielded for the slot in 2016. Therefore, Basalirwa should be Namatende is put forward now. That he is so bitter on FDC shows more signs of desperation, than of strength. That Bobi Wine wants the parties to prioritize is natural, but has already used his card and endorsed someone. The FDC has had talks with JEEMA without succeeding. Bobi Wine is also independent, so has not a structure to support or someone else to answer. That does the ones who has parties behind them. That is why it is more hard for a Party President not stand as an MP. Because that is the highest rank except for President. That is why James Akena stood as MP and Norbert Mao tried get in time before the 2016 without succeeding. So if Basalirwa didn’t stand he would show weakness to his party and no one wants that.

So please, just let it be. Let the challenge the NRM as two big opportunities for the Bugiri By-Election. Just like there were two possible candidate to pick from in Kyadondo East, there will be two in Bugiri. If the public want to go for them, then they should vote and stand-by as the counting appears. The NRM will use their tricks. But if they want justice and a fair candidate to elected. All of the parties should rally and be sure to get people behind their candidate. That Basalirwa is black-balling the FDC is just to post his narrative. Instead of seeing that the FDC tried to have talks at all. There is nothing automatic about that. Already Basalirwa have already gotten rid of Oguttu.

The ones blaming all on FDC should understand, that its all up to the parties itself to resolve this. Just like it is understandable that a party want their President to be an MP. There is nothing automatic about that, just ask Mao whose residing at home and waiting from reports from other DP MPs. Surely, Basalirwa want to be in Parliament and not at home.

That is why I say this, work for you cause and your candidate. The throwing shades between JEEMA and FDC will not further the fight against the NRM. Unless JEEMA wants to be a bitter rival who favorable to NRM, as they stood behind the TDC Presidential Candidate in 2016. If that is the case, the voting should be simple. Everyone is entitled to their opinion. However, the FDC has the same right to field their candidate as anyone, but the failed negotiations here is a blunder from both. If they don’t believe Basalirwa can beat the NRM candidate, unless he is alone. That is not a sign of strength, but weakness.

So please, Basalirwa, stop be bitter and spread your political agenda. Do that together with Bobi Wine. That is fine. Just as Besigye and other top officials from FDC support their candidate. That is all natural. But expect the NRM to come with funds and the military like they always do. So, be alert and woke, guard the voters if you believe you have the strength to conquer the NRM. We haven’t heard much about the NRM candidate. Because Basalirwa and the candidacy of Namatende has been so hostile. When it has no reason to be so, unless JEEMA have so little message to spread to the people of Bugiri. Peace.

RDC: Province du Sud-Kivu – “Objet: Demission” (08.06.2018)

Opinion: Museveni, how many agencies do you need to battle corruption?

Museveni buying shoes in Wandegeya, 02.06.2017.

I wonder how many types of government institutions does President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni needs to investigate, report and check-upon one the White Collar Crime called Corruption. I am boggled if this has even passed his mind. Because you have the Uganda Police Force, Public Procurement And Disposal of Public Assets Authority (PPDA), Office of Attorney General (OAG) and Inspectorate of Government (IGG). All of these institutions should be capable of battling this issue.

Therefore, I know the National Resistance Movement (NRM) are out of touch and not in order. When he is extending and mushrooming the state even more. The President has clearly lost his touch. How many agencies does the President needs to combat corruption?

President Museveni made the announcement during his 2018 State of the Nation address to parliament in Kampala today. The unit will be led by Mr. James Tweheyo, Ms. Martha Asiimwe and Sister Akiror. President Museveni said the members of the unit have been directed to provide their phone numbers to the public. The public will be encouraged to report any corruption cases that come to their attention to the unit. While making the announcement, President Museveni turned on the office of the IGG and accused it of incompetence” (Agaba, 2018)

That this new Unit, the Corruption Committee will be another one. Even as the PPDA has mandate concerning procurement of the state and review it. The IGG are reporting and looking into the state resources and use of funds. The Attorney General are also overlooking and another branch who is fixated on usage of state resources and funds. The Police Force against indict, prosecute and make sure the prosecution of the people caught up in corruption. Therefore, to extend into a Corruption Committee is obnoxious. This is in the same regard as last years proposal of Presidential Handshake Committee, this is just make provisions to legalize it and clean-the-slate as you may.

That this Unit is cronies and other people close to the President. This is handpicked personnel and not hardliners. They will follow the lead of the President. I doubt they will dig any deeper, than any of the organizations that is there. If you already have the UPF, PPDA, IGG and OAG, what is the need for a separate committee? Except for adding a few more paychecks to some lovable cronies. It is amazing and foolish.

If the President thinks he is fooling anyone. That is just mere ignorant people who are already far up his leopards anus. Because we all know, this is just fooling the public. If you already have all the other government bodies, why are you extending yet another hand? Are you trying to make the state like Octopuses and have dozens of legs on a giant head. The head being the President and the rest being his loyal minions, which is the legs. That is how it is perceived.

I do not buy it that the Republic needs another body to fight corruption. If the will for fighting it was there. Then the state would have used one of the several bodies it already has. Now it is just extending another branch and another leg on the octopus. Thinking no one will mind.

Here ye, here ye, yo you fool, you are just a tool and this is not cool. I thought Mr. President that you learned this school. Peace.

Reference:

Agaba, Tabitha – ‘Museveni Names New Anti-Corruption Unit, Bashes IGG for Incompetence’ (06.06.2018) link: http://nilepost.co.ug/2018/06/06/museveni-names-new-anti-corruption-unit-bashes-igg-for-incompetence/

Skeet Skeet Skeet Part 13: Avenatti files a complaint of breaches of fiduciary duties from Cohen and Davidson towards his client Stormy Daniels!

Clearly, Attorney Michael Avenatti and his team is not giving in. They are really releasing all parts of what happened with his client Stormy Daniels aka Stephanie Clifford. This is really damaging, in the big scheme of things. This here isn’t much, but what Avenatti has delivered to the courts is telling that Donald J. Trump’s Attorney, Michael Cohen was directly involved in Keith Davidson’s defense of then client Stormy Daniels. This here is damaging as this shows intent of muffling with the plaintiff, just to silence the client of the other party. Anyone should know that this is wrong. It is to easy to know that is foolish.

So this goes back to January 2018 where Cohen worked directly for Trump to stop the stories of Stormy Daniels get into the media. Because Daniels was supposed to appear on Sean Hannity on the 17th January 2018, but because of the communications between Cohen and Davidson. Cohen told Davidson that all things about the case and about Daniels should be through him and not any statements or interviews. Cohen even called Davidson his “pal” on the 18th January after they both agreed to do it this way.

As February 2018, Davidson secretly tipped Cohen that she was planning to switch Attorney. Also did the same after Cohen also filed an order to obtain a temporary restaining order against Clifford. He again tipped Cohen in March in secrecy tipped that there was a possible lawsuit coming against Cohen and Trump. Therefore, Cohen texted “Call me” to Davidson. This to get information about the coming the lawsuit. After this happen after the violation of duty as the attorney for Clifford, Cohen used this information to falsely advice Melanie Trump on the coming case and also allege that Clifford was a liar.

After termination of her relation and use of the legal advice of Davidson, Clifford has several times tried to get her communication and case documents. So that she could get the judicial documents from Davidson, even the ones containing the communications between him and Cohen. All of this is damaging on both lawyers and their practice.

They have both violated their terms and their conditions as legal representations of their clients. This is clear breach of trust and off the duty as attorneys. As Davidson was supposed to represent and defend the case of Clifford, not help out the defendant in a possible case.

If Cohen was Trump’s fixer, he surely thought he had this in the bag. Until Clifford got Avanetti to represent her. Again, he shows flex and adds new possible legal trouble. As he has text messages between Davidson and Cohen. He has timeline and the possible evidence of the colluding between them. Peace.

RSA: Correspondance between EFF’s Floyd Shivambu and ANC’s Carrim (06.06.2018)

Opinion: I don’t believe that Nkurunziza will step down in 2020!

I do not believe the reports that President Pierre Nkurunziza will step down in 2020 when his “final” third term is ending. As he has already rewritten the Constitution, gotten a favorable verdict in the Constitutional Court to run in 2015 and has reason to step down. As he has consolidated all powers among himself and his closest allies. Even build a youth brigade together with police, military and agents of the government oppress, detain and kill opposition activists and leaders. Therefore, he has no reason to step down. If so, what will he become if he steps down?

Will he become a shoeshine boy on the streets of Bujumbura or merchant. Since he has been the merchant of death and destruction. He has used propaganda and misused power. Shouldn’t he be afraid of stepping down? Since he has oppressed, taken total control and gotten rid of everyone standing in his way. Doesn’t he think that someone will have his crimes challenged if he steps down?

Seems like a dream after a 13 years of nightmare. He is supposed to just deliver 15 years of darkness and lack of dim light. I have feeling this isn’t real, other people like he has promised to step down and never did. They have said they would do so if the public wanted it. However, they have lingered for decades upon decades. Rigged elections, used the military as his power-tool to put the people into submission. Also the Imbonerakure to silence his opposition together with the Police. Therefore, he has little reason step down.

If someone is rewriting the Constitution to fit him, has all powers and should be afraid of prosecution and retribution after all the ills he has done. He would earn little to step down, unless he got a villa near Yahya Jammeh in Equatorial Guinea. That is the place where he should reside and surely President Obiang will give him space, like he offered Mugabe the other day. He want the dictator gathering on the outside of the African Union and no one can blame him for trying hard to do so.

However, Nkurunziza is just doing like many others of his kind. Speaking of stepping down, but never really doing so. He will rewrite and make sure he has the office. As he is using the state and the Republic as his private enterprise. The state party is all built around him and his cult-figure. He is the hero and the one that Burundi needs.

Therefore, I don’t believe the hype. At this speed there is a need for a revolution or a coup to bring him down. It is not like the elections or the CENI is built for anyone else than him. The way things are, everyone in the authorities are his stooges and his paid cronies. There are no one else than him. It is either Pierre or nothing. Peace.

Kenya National Police Service Press Release on the Al Shabab (07.06.2018)

Aid Ironies and Djibouti’s “Invisible Undercitizens” (07.06.2018)

The government of Djibouti had borrowed substantially from the World Bank to create a Center of Excellence facility, intended to address the problem of child malnourishment.

WASHINGTON D.C., United States of America, June 7, 2018 –  This is a guest post by Jim Sanders, a career, now retired, West Africa watcher for various federal agencies. The views expressed below are his personal views and do not reflect those of his former employers.

Returning from an early autumn vacation in Acadia National Park last year, we exited I-95 near Waterville, Maine to grab a Starbucks coffee at a nearby mall. Seeking a second opinion on my theory that the Subaru station-wagon was the state car of Maine, I approached a total stranger who was climbing out of his Toyota Prius. After affirming that, in fact, he had owned one himself, the man identified himself as Dr. David Austin, a local physician. He also mentioned his upcoming tour in Djibouti, as a Doctors Without Borders (Medecins Sans Frontiers, or MSF) physician, and explained that he had previously served in Sudan (Darfur) and Congo.

Having recently returned from the four-month tour with MSF in Djibouti, Dr. Austin was eager to speak about his experiences there. He worked in a tent hospital in the capital, which focused on treating malnourished children. Mortality is particularly high in that segment of the population. (In Djibouti, MSF expected a large refugee influx, but the flow of refugees into Djibouti failed to materialize, and so it developed a program specifically for malnourished children.)

The government of Djibouti had borrowed substantially from the World Bank to create a Center of Excellence facility, intended to address the problem of child malnourishment, but while the structure was built, it did not become operational. MSF, whose mission centers on providing aid in emergencies, eventually began to close down their tent hospital. A handover to another institution never occurred, yet every month, Dr. Austin said, more kids appeared needing treatment. “On paper,” he said, “the government treats malnourished children, but in reality many children do not get treated.”

Yet, as in his other African assignments, Dr. Austin felt buoyed by the people themselves, having previously remarked that, “There is a strong spirit of joyfulness in many Africans that I consider priceless.” Djibouti’s slums are worse than India’s, he explained, where the poor hammer out tin cans and make nice shacks, and sweep the areas around them to keep them clean. In Djibouti, in contrast, the poor live in rag tents, amidst a sea of garbage. “If your child dies, MSF will provide you a ride home, with your dead child,” Austin explained. “I went with one family [to take their deceased child home], driving forever through slums, until we reached a shack in the middle of nowhere.”

But despite their circumstances, the people are “lovely, eager to talk, and full of energy.” “There’s a lot going on,” he noted. Not least, a mini-Arab Spring, which has prompted a heavy-handed government reaction.