South Sudan: Is the R-ARCSS officially dead now? [The Mass Arrests of SPLM-IO – With rumoured more to come]

SPLM-IO’s Chief of Staff also D/Chief of Staff of R-ARCSS Gen. Gabriel Duop Lam is grounded, DISARMED and currently detained at BILPAM HQTRS in Juba, South Sudan by the SSPDF and SPLM/A regime of Salva Kiir’s soldiers” (…) “In addition to IO chief of staff Gabriel Duop Lam, the following persons are arrested;

  1. Koang Gatkuoth—D/CDF,
  2. Malual Biliew—D/DG for GIB, and
  3. Yay Dak—D/DG for ISB” (Lich TV, 04.03.2025).

Bad news from South Sudan. The Naath White Army of Nasir County is haunting J1 and the government itself. President Salva Mayardit Kiir and the Transitional Government is playing with fire here. As it alleges the arrested have been working in coordination with the White Army. That’s the speculation here and the escalation of violence in the Upper Nile State. Certainly, there is more at stake here.

The whole transitional government and the R-ARCSS agreement combined with all the other signed agreements between the parties. Those are all up in the air, as the SPLM-IO and other signatories are seeing the ramifications of these arrests. They are done to certain parties and Dr. Riek Machar must feel the pinch of it.

There are rumours that several of SPLM-IO leaders have gone into hiding. There is high tension and an alert. As the risks and the possibilities are endless right now. These sort of mass arrests and sudden detention of high-ranking officials are making things tense.

Again, we are seeing the significance of the prolonged transition and the lack of institutionalism in the Republic. As one conflict and one spark are creating all of this. The Naath White Army has made all this happening in Juba. They have been able to stifle and stop the prolonged agony and most likely put things into a tidal wave.

There was already question of the willingness to implement and even continue down the path of R-ARCSS. The Tumaini initiative in Kenya didn’t make it happen either. Which shows what sort of lack of will and lack of concern of the ones in office. They rather be transitional and be interim, than having to face the citizens and the republic in an election. These are people who captured power by the guns and doesn’t want to let it go.

There are rumours of lists created of IO who will be targeted and that’s why they have gone into hiding. Therefore, expect more and possible ramifications out of it. As the spark is now in motion. This one will be a showdown and is a sort of power play of J1. They will use the myth of Nasir and of the White Army as an excuse for all of it. We can just wonder if they can substantiate or give proper reasons for it all. As if the IO is in-charge and such of the White Army. A White Army that has cleverly trained itself and armed itself too. Therefore, the J1 cannot lie about that and think it will stick.

Let me end this with wise words of the incarcerated himself from 2019:

“It is impossible for the vehicle to cross River before building the Bridge. Likewise South Sudan Unity Government will not be on time simply because the provisions of the agreement were not implemented in letter and spirit.

I am always wondering when it come to formation of Unity Government, you will find all Regime members are always more than serious, but when it come to the implementation of peace agreement twice, you will always find the Regime members in Juba are playing a wargames that, can not take the Country forward” (Gabriel Duop Lam, 24.10.2019).

This is all happening because of the actions of the White Army. That is telling and how it is able to play J1. They have done this and now we all will see the ramifications of this. The government playing war-games and the detained already knew this years ago. Now it is back at it again and we can wonder what the outcome is this time around. Peace

Kawempe North By-Election: The Media and the NUP hit by the JAT operation in this by-election

“Police have defended the presence of the Joint Anti-Terrorist Task Force (JAT) in Kawempe, describing it as a legally established security unit. Spokesperson Rusoke Kituuma advised those questioning JAT’s actions to seek legal redress. This follows the forceful detention of Elias Nalukoola shortly after his nomination” (NTV Uganda, 03.03.2025).

“Our own news reporter, Steven Mbidde, was seen being attacked by men in uniform earlier this morning as he attempted to speak to David Lewis Rubongoya at Wandegeya Police Station, where some of the arrested NUP supporters were being held after yesterday’s raid” (NTV Uganda, 04.03.2024).

“The National Unity Platform supporters who were brutally arrested yesterday from a political rally in Kawempe are set to charged in court at Kawempe Magistrate’s court. We strongly condemn election-related violence and abuse of civil rights in Uganda” (Freedom Hive Uganda, 04.03.2025).

This is just too common and to established by the authorities. The Uganda Police Force and JAT are active. They are able and allowed to set a precedence in the by-elections. This is the foreplay to the General Elections in 2026. The ones believing it will be better and freer are wrong. The state is showing force now and telling the public what it thinks of them.

That the authorities are using violence, usage of live-bullets and tear-gas, in addition to arresting, kidnapping and even detaining people for political affiliation. That is what the state does and does so to intimidate. They are targeting the National Unity Platform (NUP). This isn’t happening to the other political parties or their supporters or activists. That is visible for the naked eye.

This By-Election won’t be remembered for the political messaging or the stature of the candidates. No, this election is marred with state sponsored violence. The state is on high alert and made the By-Election a warzone, as we anticipated. The NUP is the target and being in association of the party is endangering for a civilian. Any citizen who are part of it or participate with the NUP. They should be aware that the state is aiming at them and they could become victims of the state oppression for doing so.

Citizen are being taken into custody and detained for their political affiliation. The media is hit and feeling a pinch following up or monitoring the acts of the state. Instead of letting people assemble and being free to associate with whoever. They are now going against the ones who dares to participate and be a part of the NUP in Kawempe North By-Election. That is the reality here…

We are seeing UPF and JAT misusing their power… and the people are the victims of their orders and active operation within the period of campaign period. That is clear here and we see the wounds, the damage and the suffering they are committed to give the people of Kawempe. Peace.

Eswatini: PUDEMO – Not allowed to sing political songs or eat chicken

“State police officers followed members of eSwatini’s main and largest liberation movement, the People’s United Democratic Movement (PUDEMO) to Moneni Ntangazethu Butchery after stopping their strategic meeting at SNAT Centre-Manzini on Saturday. The PUDEMO members were ordered not to sing political songs while eating meat at the butchery, Brian Sangweni, the PUDEMO Spokesperson confirmed to this Swaziland News while Police Spokesperson Senior Superintendent Phindile Vilakati declined to comment” (Swaziland News, 01.03.2025).

“The PUDEMO catering team left the cooking area at the SNAT centre on Saturday morning after King Mswati’s police violently ordered them to stop cooking. The team was preparing food for the party’s strategic meeting at the venue. One police officer by the name of Stukxi Dlamini was assigned to guard the cooking area. Later on, when they came back the catering team discovered that 2 packets of chicken portions were missing. This was confirmed by the People’s United Democratic Movement (PUDEMO) National Organizing Secretary Siboniso Mkhabela” (Swaziland Democratic News, 02.03.2025).

The absolute monarch and his regime are blocking the People’s United Democratic Movement (PUDEMO) from holding a strategic meeting at the SNAT centre. That what went down this weekend.

The Kingdom is blocking PUDEMO from organizing and working. That is a deliberate action. As the authorities and the state is going after them. First, they weren’t allowed to hold a strategic meeting at SNAT. Secondly, the PUDEMO moved to the Moneni Ntangazethu Butchery, where they weren’t allowed to sing political songs. Therefore, PUDEMO was blocked from everywhere and wasn’t allowed to congregate. That’s the gist of things.

They blocked the venue and the planned meeting. So, when the party moved to a butchery. The authorities went after them as well. The party wasn’t allowed to strategize and eat chicken. They had to leave both places, and the state came with the big guns to go after them.

We the almighty king is allowed to do anything in his monarchy. That is well known, and vast spending sprees aren’t a secret either. The King appoints and keeps his court within his midst. The monarch doesn’t want anyone else to have a say or even hold any real power. Only his words matter, and his lifestyle is more important the lives of his citizens. That’s why he cannot have political parties or elected officials for that matter either. No, he needs to control his dominion and the acts of PUDEMO, and others are just troublemakers for him.

This is why the King, and his authorities has used force against his dissidents. That isn’t anything new. In the kingdom this is just another Saturday. We have seen it all before, but now the officers ate the chicken too. Peace.

Eswatini: People’s United Democratic Movement (PUDEMO) – A Fierce Condemnation of the Eswatini Royal Police’s Brutal Suppression of the People’s Voice (01.03.2025)

Opinion: Is the Habeas Corpus Principle dying the Republic? [Another horrific Singiza judgment]

Judges in this country do not so to speak enjoy a ‘floating power’ to hear and determine any disputes anywhere wherever they occur. It would amount to judicial chaos and blunder were any judge to sit and hear any disputes brought to him or her without checking first whether there would be a better suited high court division or circuit to do so in the first place as is the case in the motion before me” (Justice Dr Douglas Karekona Singiza, 03.03.2025).

Today’s judgment by Justice Douglas Singiza in regard to the case of Attorney Eron Kiiza is telling. It is a story that needs to be shed light on. As his another fellow civilian that is lingering between the Courts and is on remand in Prison, because they captured in the General Court Martial and charged him there. He was there as counsel of Dr. Kizza Besigye and became a “criminal” for doing so.

This case is just further proof of misuse of authority and the instruments of the state. They are playing ping-pong with lives and take the citizens hostage. These people are detained without proper trials or even concerns about the allegations pinned on the civilians. They are victims of circumstances and association. That’s it.

Meanwhile the likes of the Judge wonders why people don’t have kind words for him. Well, his use of power and office is why they don’t like him. His a man of the President and the Authorities, his not a man of the people or serving the general public at large. No, he serve the interests of the state and the will of being used as a tool of oppression.

Just read this court decision!

I take the firm view that the procedure adopted by the applicant to challenge the impugned

conviction and sentence was an incorrect one. I would probably have attempted to answer the

motion questions had the applicant approached this court by way of an application for judicial

review. Moreover, this Court would not be clothed with the requisite criminal appellate or

revisionary powers to examine the challenged conviction and sentence by the GCM” (Justice Dr Douglas Karekona Singiza, 03.03.2025).

This judge couldn’t accept a petition of the court of Habeas Corpus, because he feels ill-suited and not fitted for it. The same man that saw it fit to send a man to prison to heal, instead of giving bonds or bails to get into hospital. This judge have no common sense or concern for fellow civilian. No, his a servant of the President and not upholding law. As he has no trouble violating the Judiciary Act, and especially the article 34(b), which states this:

The High Court—may award a writ of habeas corpus ad test testificandum or habeas corpus ad respondendum for bringing up any prisoner detained in any prison before any court, a court-martial, an official or special referee, an arbitrator or any commissioners acting under the authority of any commission from the President for trial or, as the case may be, to be examined touching any matter to be inquired into by or pending before a court, a court-martial, an official or special referee, an arbitrator or the commissioners” (Judiciary Act, 1996).

The Court here didn’t even try to do this. It wasn’t even bothered to do so. This just shows that the Judiciary Act is a worthless piece of paper. Just like so many other laws and texts, which should be guided and studied in the Republic. These are becoming wasted ink and time, as they are not adhered to and not valued by the rulers. The rule of law is dying when judges can do this technicalities and use their office for such rulings. This isn’t upholding the law or concerned about justification for a person being incarcerated. No, this is just making excuses and uses the courts as a mechanisms to keep people detained. That’s done without proper procedure or justification to do so.

Attorney Eron Kiiza deserves better, but so does anyone who is moved from the General Court Martial to a civilian court. They all deserve better and the judges should be worried about the aftermath of all of this. As they will be remembered for the henchmen of the state. That’s what they are and this sort of judgment proves it. Peace.

Kawempe North By-Election: The Security Agencies targets the By-Election

“Security operatives got into a confrontation with National Unity Platform (NUP) supporters during Elias Nalukoola’s campaign drive moments ago in Kawempe” (Patro Uganda, 03.03.2025).

“The NRM aspirant for Kawempe North, Faridah Nambi has unveiled a list of programmes she plans to implement for her constituents if elected to parliament. Nambi said her manifesto prioritizes lobbying funds to empower women and youths who she says are suffering most due to the prevailing economic hardships as a result of lack of jobs” (NRM Party, 03.03.2025).

“The Archbishop of Kampala, Paul Ssemogerere, has criticized the government and law enforcement agencies for resorting to violence against opposition politicians and the public during the nomination process for the Kawempe North parliamentary seat” (Radio5 Uganda, 03.03.2025).

Today we are seeing the Warzone Aka By-Election in the Kawempe North, which is in campaign mode ahead of the 13th of March 2025 polls. The state is already besieged the area and is prepared for whatever that goes down. The authorities and the security agencies were ordered on the streets and be active.

This isn’t even about who’s the candidates or if they have the right merit to be elected. At this moment we are just seeing the system and state target the biggest opposition party. They are using drones, tear-gas and live bullets. The security organizations like Uganda Police Force and Joint Anti-Terrorist Task Force (JATT or JATF) are participate in it. These two entities are using force and being violent towards citizens and activists in this By-Election. Nothing new here, but it is shown by the videos online and pictures gone viral too.

The messaging of the candidates lose weight or meaning when people are hurt, arrested, kidnapped and possibly made into felons over participating in the by-election. The state is targeting it and using their power to intimidate, threaten and trying to silence the opposition. This is why they are targeting the NUP especially, as they know that is the biggest challenger.

It is just telling that it has come to this. The state is using force and their monopoly on violence to order it to the streets. Instead of coming with favours and giving way. They are going after the people and the citizens who happens to be there.

The Kawempe North By-Election is now marred with tear-gas, live bullets and drones. That is misuse of power and shows how they are operating. This shows how the state is willing to use force and what sort of “elections” that is going on. Those sorts of actions don’t happen when the yellow candidate is passing through the same streets. No, this happens when the reds are getting there. That’s what we see, and it is so obvious. The ones that state doesn’t fear or is worried about. This is who walks safely, but the who challenge the state is hit with blunt force. Peace.

Ethiopia: Ogaden National Liberation Front (ONLF) – Ethiopia Has Abandoned the 2018 Peace Agreement with ONLF (01.03.2025)

Guinee: Union des Forces Democratiques de Guinee (UFDG) – Declaration (02.03.2025)

RDC: FARDC – Communique de Presse No. 007 (01.03.2025)

RDC: Forces Armees Republique Democratique du Congo (FARDC) – Communique de Presse No. 007 (01.03.2025)