Opinion: Is Kabila planning a diarchy?

Calvin is hammering nails into coffee table.

Mom: CALVIN WHAT ARE YOU DOING TO THE COFFEE TABLE?!?

Calvin: Is this some sort of trick question, or what?”Bill Watterson

Merriam-Webster explains diarchy as “a government in which power is vested in two rulers or authorities”. This means that Majorité Présidentielle (MP) and the People’s Party for Reconstruction and Democracy (PPRD) the ruling party will put someone they trust, as they plan to current President Joseph Kabila as the Vice-President. While their stooge for a term and trusted bedfellow will rule one term from the beginning of 2019. President Kabila’s second term was supposed to end on 19th December 2016. That has however not happened, as he is still the almighty President and shown no signs of stepping down.

That is why the reports that M.P. are planning a tandem leadership, a dual leadership, one where they keep Kabila as a high ranking and top official, while having a stooge in on top for a term. That so they legally make sure Kabila can run for his “fourth term”, when the stooge term has ended. Since technically Kabila is done with third term and sort of started his fourth. Even as he just been elected through the polls twice. Kabila came first to power in January 2001, but was first elected in 2006 and ran again 2011. The last one, which he is still clinging on too.

The magic second stooge, whose will be part-time President, before ushering in an official third term for Kabila is either Matata Ponyo, Adolphe Muzito or Olive Lembe. That is if the reports are true and the rumors are real. If so, then Lambert Mende should be insulted. Also the MLC President and jailbird Jean Pierre Bemba, who was the last VP until the Constitutional Changes.

But if they do this and tries to figure this out, then they are still risking the Republic. AS they are thinking that the Republic cannot be ruled without Kabila and the M.P. Like there is no other party, which has the possibility to reign. This is risky as they have to really trust in the other candidate that they pull up and that one will step down. To again let Kabila run. The person could also create issues and no will to step down. As none in the state has done that, without eating a bullet.

We don’t know if this is a real plan or not, if they are planning to use CENI and the Constitutional Court to legalize this. They are surely using all tricks, maybe even first using Kabila as pawn to stall for time as the main candidate for M.P. The party might do other foolery, they might use other tricks. But the tandem leadership makes sense. As this would give Kabila space to take total control like Putin has done in Russia.

This would also put relief and stop the sanctions, this would give the regime a break. As they need to bleed the money out of the country and make deals, which the central government head honcho’s eats from, but leave nothing left to the Republic itself. That is what the M.P. wants and to secure the future of Kabila. They are only doing this in self interest and that why Kabila is still there. Lingering like a leach to power.

This story does not die, because Kabila isn’t planning to go anywhere. He wants power by any means. That is proven by now. Peace.

Opinion: Appointing Museveni to mediate anywhere, was bound to go nowhere!

The situation in Burundi, just like the one in the Democratic Republic of Congo and South Sudan can’t be dealt with overnight. Anybody expecting a quick fix is dreaming” – Dr. Okello Oryem

Recently during this week, the Minister of State for International Affairs Okello Oryem has said this. It is very revealing of the arrogance and the stature of the talks, the dialogue and the works done by the Ugandans in the conflicts where the East African Community (EAC) has appointed President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni to be the mediator. I never had faith in Museveni and to this day, I haven’t been wrong about that. Nothing has changed in South Sudan or Burundi, where Museveni is suppose to help changing it and get into a peaceful process. Instead it is more and more volatile.

What the grandest problem with having Museveni as mediator in South Sudan, is that his army is delivering weapons and ammunitions to the Sudan People’s Liberation Army, the SPLA and the SPLM/A-IG. They are serving the government with weapons and the technical training, while they are supposed to be there and secure the negotiations to a peaceful place. That is playing with fire and expecting to have the ability to drown it too. Your providing the opportunity for the government to continue to battle the opposition, while being a party at the table negotiating the possible peace agreement. That sounds like a bad mix of sources and interests at play. Museveni should clearly, just be a weapon brother and not a mediator. Someone who isn’t involved in delivering weapons to South Sudan, should mediate and not someone who serves guns to President Salva Kiir Mayardit. That is just wrong and has self interests in prolonging the conflict. He get to trade more weapons and ammo to the government there.

While in Burundi, the Inter-Burundian Dialogue has been directed by the President. A President that helped his fellow President to return in 2015 after a tried Coup d’etat and demonstrations against his third term. That led into bloodshed and also continued oppression of the dissidents inside Burundi. Where the dialogue haven’t materialized into anything, while the ruling regime has held a new referendum and now secured legality of Pierre Nkurunziza to to rule into 2034. Which is insane, when he entered into power, he was only allowed to have two terms, but he has changed the laws just like Museveni.

President Museveni hasn’t stopped the Burundian President and his control of the dialogue, deciding who could participate and when it could happen. Nkurunziza and his administration has totally muffled the Tanzanian chief talker Mpaka. Therefore, now that he has been part of this since 2015, as the African Union, United Nations and East African Commission have all said Museveni should do this. But they never gave him a proper mandate or done anything if Nkurunziza didn’t listen. They sent some police officers and observers at some point after 2015, but nothing has materialized.

Therefore, seems more like Museveni has been appointed and is lucky to shield his friends. Looking like he makes talks, but stalling for times. While both parties in South Sudan and Burundi are allowed to get rid of opposition, they are allowed to get weapons and use scare tactics to get rid of enemies. While he looks at in sometimes blaze some strong words. But Museveni will not act upon it, as they will do talks in secret and secure that Burundi and South Sudan get what they need. To keep the leadership, which is friendly to Museveni. Not to its people, but loyal to him. So he can be the big-man in East Africa. Peace.

South Sudan: Gen. Paul Malong Awan – “Re: Warning to President Salva Kiir Mayardit” (02.06.2018)

Landlocked Ethiopia plans to build a navy: Are they planning to defend GERD by military vessels?

Sometimes, just sometimes you wonder what is going and why, why is this happening and what is their reasons for doing so. Now the Ethiopian Revolutionary People’s Defence Force (EPRDF) are planning to build a navy. That means warships, submarines and docks, which can have these boats. If this Lake Tana or the Blue Nile or if they planning to be stationed in either Djibouti or Somalia. Who knows, but they are not having that many options. Since, they are landlocked.

This is coming, the day after Council of Ministers accept the start to draft to lift the State of Emergency. This is happening as the Chinese is winding down their investments as the debt is growing and lack of foreign exchange. You can wonder why they want to invest in that now and for what reason?

Because, you don’t extend your reach and your military, either on land, in the air or at sea. Unless, you having a plan or any ideas of usage. If they are doing this to secure the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD), if they are planning to have boats on the boarders to Sudan on the Blue Nile. Because that would make sense, but they could just order Long Range Missiles and Anti-Aircraft Guns, if they we’re afraid and station them there. A navy there doesn’t make sense in that regard.

I just wonder what is the use, unless, they want supremacy all over the Horn of Africa. If the Ethiopians want a giant military and navy, to secure power over Somalia, Djibouti and Eritrea. That they want to be the kingpins in the area. Because that is the only thing that makes sense. If they does this, will they work together with UNSOM and fight piracy in and around the coast of Somalia? What else are they supposed to do?

It is not like they got a coastline, they don’t have fisheries and foreign troops landing on their coast to get into Ethiopia and invade it. You have either an army and navy for defense or attack. They could be a standby force, a standby navy, but why spend fortunes on warships, on submarines and other naval boats that are there for one reason. You don’t get military boats to go fishing, neither to do research or even something needed at sea.

Warships is to stop enemy from getting to shore, to secure the harbors and the coasts from enemy forces. You don’t have a navy to have funky ships at port and YMCA discos. If so, then the Ethiopian government can take an expedition to San Francisco and see the sights.

I look forward to hear the reasoning for a landlocked country investing in a navy, unless their securing the GERD. That is the defensive military thing, that would make sense, unless they are annexing other coastal lines close by their borders.

What else will these vessels do?

I do not have the answers, but asking questions, that should be within reason, as it is foolish not ask this. I would do the same thing with any landlocked country. When you don’t have a coastline, when you don’t have a border to the ocean. What need do you have of a navy?

Unless, you plan to annex coastal border land with both soldiers, tanks and warships. Peace.

My letter to Janet Museveni: Stop mocking the parents whose living in poverty!

Dear Janet Museveni!

I am writing to you again, because of your statements to the Ugandan parents who isn’t apparently feeding their kids. Because this is epidemic and systemic default from your mans long-term government and his lack of integrity and also lack of building resilient institutions. Because all has to go through your husband, Yoweri. Therefore, he can write a letter and reappoint people your firing. Since he is the head, not only of the household, but also the Republic.

However, that is knowledge you already knew, Janet. That is why this is insulting, what you said in a Press Briefing today:

““It tells us something about selfishness that there are fathers who use Shs1000 for alcohol every day and mothers who spend money doing their hair and working on their nails but cannot buy containers to pack food for their children,” Ms Museveni said” (Daily Monitor – ‘Parents must feed their children or face the law, says Janet Museveni’ 02.06.2018 link:http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/Parents-must-feed-their-children-face-the-law-Janet-Museveni/688334-4592282-4dh2vaz/index.html )

I find it selfish of you to single people out and to put everyone in one bracket. When you know the state of the budget, the misuse of government funds, the lack of funds for salaries for civil servants and teachers. The own ministry your running is controlling dozens upon dozens of depleted schools and lack of accountability. Therefore, you should be careful addressing others. When your not the perfect princess you want to be.

Janet, it is the government fault, that there are lack of jobs, lack of opportunities for the graduates from college and university and all the other compromised situations that your government is in control off. You should fix government, before blaming the poor for lack structure and lack of giving way. This belittling the poor, because you have the State House and all the riches of the world. Your entitled to be queen, while others struggle from hand to mouth. Not like the ones who are poor is deciding they don’t want to give food to their kids. But they have no option, because of the systems your government put in place or didn’t care about. Your reckless behavior, your vultures and your thieves are the reason for this poverty.

You Janet and the whole royal cabinet. Should look into yourselves, all your activities and all your policies, all the transactions and all the unaccountable funds and ask yourself. Did you do enough? Did you? Did you really do enough?

The earlier preliminary report released last September had showed there was an increase in poverty levels from 19.7 per cent to 27.7 per cent. The current figure now puts the total number of poor Ugandans who cannot afford three meals a day to eight million” (MARTIN LUTHER OKETCH – ‘Poverty level increases to 21.4 per cent, says UBOS’ 18.01.2018 link: http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/Poverty-level-increases-per-cent-UBOS/688334-4268774-format-xhtml-ubneas/index.html).

When one your watch there is 8 million Ugandans who cannot afford three meals a day, that is your fault and your mistake. That isn’t only the parents. Some parents are bad and do bad with the money. But I doubt that 8 million are drinking, getting boozed up beyond intelligence and getting pedicure. Lets that be clear. Unless, the NRM has configured the stats on that too.

This is disgraceful, that you did this and mocked this people. Instead of figuring out ways of making it better for 8 million Ugandans. You are lecturing them and blaming them, calling them alcoholics and wasting money on luxurious items. That is by the way rich coming from you, as your administration is overspending on the State House and on your family. The wealth and the funds which is around the President is enormous and vast.

Mrs. Janet, there are so much you can do with your power and influence, but you have decided not to care. Your acting as a lecturer, but your actions are lacking any moral substance. If you did care and if your husband cared. There wouldn’t be 8 million in poverty and lacking three meals a day in the Republic. Your family and your husband has had three decades to fix this. Apparently, you haven’t tried.

8 millions are not alcoholics. That is impossible.

Step your game up. Act within reason and be rational. Not demean them, because your responsible, not only for the Ministry of Education and Sports, but for what your bed-mate is doing too.

Best Regards

Writer of MinBane

Ethiopia: Council of Ministers approved to draft law to lift the SOE, but will it make big difference?

When one with honeyed words but evil mind

Persuades the mob, great woes befall the state.” Euripides

As things are standing in Ethiopia there are minor changes in the ways it is perceived, this mostly because of how the new Prime Minister is carrying himself. This being Dr. Abiy Ahmed whose been all around and visiting all parts of the Republic. However, there been continued oppression, detaining and killings during his tenure in the regions where the State of Emergency has hit the hardest. This being in Oromia, Somalia Region and Amhara. All of these areas has been hit hard by the State of Emergency, where the police and military, the Aghazi Squad has attacked civilians and killed too.

Addis Ababa, June 2, 2018 (FBC) – The Council of Ministers in its today’s regular meeting approved a draft law that lifts the State of Emergency. The draft will be sent to the House of People’s Representatives (HPR) for consideration. The Council noted that law and order has been restored. Ethiopia declared a six-month State of Emergency on February 16, 2018” (Fana Broadcasting Company – ‘Council of Ministers approves draft bill to lift State of Emergency’ 02.06.2018).

Therefore I am reluctant about this move, as long as the Ethiopian People’s Revolutionary Defence Force (EPRDF) is in power and using their methods. I wonder what is their safeguard and their next move, as they have done everything they can to silence dissidents. This being silencing phone-lines, blocking internet, stopping people from having sit-down strikes and generally banning all possible protests. While making activists, writers and everyone involved in these matters into criminals. Even as they fight for liberty and justice over their own. The EPRDF comes with the military as a hostile takeover and takes control. Instead of being in dialogue. That is what the State of Emergency and the provisions of the Commando Post is all about.

There is no reflection or anything saying that they will really change, the SOE now was really to stall for time. The demonstrations and the protest spirit is not gone, there are still lingering thousands upon thousands in jail. Even as high-profiled individuals has been released. The majority is still behind bars and the lack of freedom is still there. The New PM hasn’t changed that or the laws, not tried to repeal the Anti-Terror laws, which has used to oppress civilians who protest against the EPRDF.

We can hope for change, but its still lots of the same. The powers are within the same structures, a small change in the cabinet, but the reality is that Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF) is still controlling the EPRDF. The government and its institution isn’t significantly changed, even as the Prime Minister has been in talks with Oromo Opposition leaders. That is positive step, just as the possible repeal of the SOE. However, as long as no one takes responsibility of the violence, the killings and the arbitrary arrests, there will not be real changes. It will just be patches on the hurt, but when the wounds are evident. The flair and the flames will start again, because no one acted upon the hurt. That should be the vision of the EPRDF, to take responsibility and charge itself. If they are real about the damage and hurt it has given over the years. Not just walk away because your in power.

Who knows if they within a months time repeal the SOE, will they do it again if the Queerro are starting to block the roads and stop businesses from moving goods from Djibouti to Addis. Will the army and the police accept that? As the TPLF and EPRDF will lose foreign exchange on it and also possible profits from doing so. Will they accept that the Amhara are also closing the roads into the capital. Would they accept it, as they are not listened to or even considered. As long as the government are caring about themselves. That is the reality.

This is a positive step, but if it is not followed up by more heartfelt measures, the reality will hit the fan and the possible violence will appear, because the government haven’t shown another side or character. Peace.

South Sudan: Ghana Police FPU – “Update on Formed Police Unit Alleged Sex Scandal” (31.05.2018)

Museveni stop blaming everyone else!

Good people do not need laws to tell them to act responsibly, while bad people will find a way around the laws” – Plato

President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni cannot accept rejection, neither defeat, he never has. That is in his veins, he cannot accept being beaten, even when he used all the tricks in his book, paying out funds, using the police and military to intimidate. Still his party the National Resistance Movement (NRM) lost in the 31st May Rukungiri By-Election to the Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) candidate for the Woman-MP seat.

What I have to say, is that Museveni always blames everyone else. If the taxes isn’t good enough or made with provision, which handle the reality of the day, it is either Uganda Revenue Authority fault of the Ministry of Planning, Finance and Economic Development (MoPFED). Because it couldn’t be his fault, it never is.

If the lack of organization between all security organizations is never his fault. It is not Museveni who has appointed and given the ISO, ESO, UPF and UPDF the mandates they have. No no, it is the generals who lacks their duty and the police officers whose not educated enough. Not that the state hasn’t sufficient protocol or budgets to actually do their jobs. That is another issue.

It is never Museveni’s fault when there is a new Cholera Outbreak or the health care system is failing. No no, that is the local government, who doesn’t have a dime to buy a cookie, but him in his private plane cannot be blamed. That the hospitals lacks equipment, medicine and even ability to pay their electricity bills. However, that is not to blame Museveni. No everything is fine and dandy, as long as his ministers in the Health Ministry can fly to India for treatment. Don’t blame Museveni, he hasn’t done anything wrong.

If the roads are full of potholes and you have to ride like a drunk on a straight road ahead. It isn’t Museveni’s fault. It is always Uganda National Roads Authority, Local Governments Councils and the developers whose tenders was given by the central government. The deals and arrangement is never Museveni’s fault, even when he allows the likes of Dott Services to continue their forgeries and mockery of road development.

It is never Museveni’s fault, when the education system is becoming a tragic stink. That he hasn’t invested in salaries, in the buildings or equipment to the students. Not able to secure lunch meals for the kids either. Teachers working to jobs, having gardens and boda-boda businesses on the side, as the teachers salaries are not paying enough on the low-level. But that is not your fault, because the State House, Office of Prime Minister and such is eating such a load of the yearly budget. Still, the Ministry of Education and lack of governance. Can only be the principals and others, but not you. No no.

So the list could go on. It is never Museveni’s fault, the Gods knows that. He is innocent, he is never guilty. Museveni is the Saint of Uganda, the greatest man ever to grace the hills and valleys of Uganda. No can ever be on the level of Museveni. He is the grandest king and his holiness, he is the one whose never done a fly anything. He cannot do mistakes.

Just like the pope in the Catholic Church has the teaching of Papal infallibility, where in general the pope cannot fail. It is a misconception, however, the idea is fitting. As Musveni are clearly never able to fall or do wrong. He got a gift like that, if it was so. Why isn’t the golden gates already popping by at the State House of Entebbe? Why isn’t Uganda industrialized and Modernized in the perfect vision of Museveni?

He has had 32 years to do it and still haven’t achieved it. Time to take the cross and carry it. Peace.

Kenyatta’s fury against Corruption is getting old!

Today, I want to address myself to these enemies, who must be boldly confronted by all Kenyans of goodwill in the same manner our forefathers resolved to join hands in the fight against colonialism” (…) “While the challenge may look huge because of the way corruption has become entrenched in some of our people today, we have to declare in unison that corruption in all its forms will be diminished from our country.  Like colonialism was defeated, so will we defeat corruption” (…) “The Director of Public Prosecutions, the Police, and other institutions in the multi-agency team against corruption are on the move.  They are making decisive steps to build strong cases for the prosecution of corrupt officials” (…) “I welcome the assurance of the Judiciary’s leadership that they are with the rest of Government, and all Kenyans, in this war for our integrity as a country” (President Uhuru Kenyatta speech on Madaraka Day 2018, 01.07.2018).

Man, I am getting tired of the rewind, on another one; he has become just like DJ Khaled. Making the same songs, just mixing it with different artists and blending it with other beats. That is what President Uhuru Kenyatta does, when talking about Corruption. We have soon heard all the ways that it is possible to be working against it. Without any significant changes, unless your petty theft and taking a minor sum, you will be held accountable, but if you steal the bank. Your most likely one of his cronies or close associates.

President Kenyatta can speak fiercely against it, but his actions isn’t, there isn’t anything on the horizon or shadow of a doubt, that the ones taking the Eurobonds, NYS 1.0 or NYS 2.0 will get away with it. Because the ones who has done are still in office and enjoying life. There isn’t anything stopping it and the corrupt behavior is tradition and not problem. Unless you’re a low-level employee, then you might be charged and serve time. But if your on the top and taking the huge loads of funds, your walking to the bank and just slapped with meagre fine of some kind. Like stealing ten millions but fined one million, meaning in practical sense earned nine million shillings.

I have hard time believing Kenyatta, nothing in his first term, neither in the second has shown some real effort or care on the matter. It is only talk. Talk, empty threats and talk. The emptiness and pettiness is more of empty beer bottles and a plan of sudden death. Than actually policies and reflections on the matter. This is just harsh words with no substance, he could be speaking about everything else in the world. But he choose this, to act tough, but instead he looks like fool.

Promising changes, but delivering same. Promising grand development and delivering repainted structures. You can lie once, you can lie twice, but not a third time. We got you.

Tired of the rhetoric and words. They are meaningless, pointless and just noise. Stop it. Act for once. Peace.

Lack of Due Diligence on the Exercise Duty Amendment Bill of 2018!

The nine page memo on the Exercise Duty Bill Amendment of 2018 is an insult to everyone who cares about governance. The leaked Report from the Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development (MoFPED). Is really just a carbon copy of the initial taxes and rubber stamping the bill without any considerable efforts, arguments or questions to the new taxes.

It is weird that the MoFPED can get away with lax work and lack of work ethic, lack of reasonable numbers and crunches of statistics. Proof that this is actually good for society, that the new taxes on Mobil Communications, Mobile Money and Cooking Oil is of an calibre good. Alas, that is not the case, the report isn’t spelling out that. It is just saying, That it is just unfair that ones actually calling is paying taxes, but the ones using mobile data is not. However, isn’t the Telecommunication Companies already paying huge level of taxes on their profits of every sale of airtime? So now just topping it off by adding taxes on Social Media Apps and on Mobile Money? Also the VAT on the Airtime as well?

You have the tax on the airtime, tax on the profits on the airtime; you will have tax on the usage of social media and mobile money. Meaning the state gets revenue from nearly all aspects of usage of the phones. Soon you cannot open anything without withdrawing money from your account as the state is billing you extra for the top services. They are calling this “over the top service” sort of like all the benefits the Members of Parliament has and is billing on the Republic.

Therefore, reading this report, that no one questioned it or had any concern, that no one said anything or looked into the amount of usage and the cost on the cell-phone user. Neither, the added cost on the basic household for any of the new taxes. Show a unpleasant disregard for the hardships of the citizens in question. You cannot expect to be enlighten on 9 pages of a report, you cannot, because your not digging deep into a problem or a situation on a 4 page brief. Your just touching the subject matter and disregarding the issues at hand. The Parliament has recklessly added this taxes, as the President ordered in his letter. The letter from 12th March 2018 dubbed “Re: Lack of Seriousness in Tax Collection”. As they are just following his words and not considering any implications. That is what is bugging me.

If these was serious MPs who cared about the constituents and the citizens in general, before imposing taxes, they would see what estimates and who would be hit. Secondly, what it would do with quality of life and consequences for the poorest of the Republic. That is if they cared about that. Apparently, they don’t, because they are just whistling after the President and his every whims.

The people should be insulted by their MPs and their lack of understanding, their lack of concern. They should be ashamed to have this sort of people representing them. That they cannot have any of these following government bodies to do, due diligence on the amendment:

Uganda Communications Commission (UCC), National Identification and Registration Authority (NIRA), Uganda Revenue Authority (URA), Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development (MoFPED), and Ministry of Information and Communications Technology (MICT).

All of these should have delivered some sort of report and proper framework, the actual costs and the implications of these taxes on Mobile Money and Social Media Tax. However, the didn’t do that, because they don’t care.

Neither did URA or MoFPED. They just didn’t care to put in the work and show the reality of these proposals. They are just blindly following the blind, aka the President. That is what they do and people have to suffer because of it. Paying much more for service, being invoiced as long as they have the possibility to use the services. That is what the Exercise Duty does, that is what the state do to its citizens. Peace.