South Sudan: MoFA and International Cooperation Press Release on Arrests of 100 Nationals in Kenya (29.08.2018)

Chinese Investments in Africa: It is not a free-lunch, the tab has to be paid!

African leaders should not turn the continent into a giant collector of donations and loans from wealthy nations—they must find other plausible means to help established their economic security so as to minimize poverty. This incoherent blunder on the mainland must be scrutinized.”Duop Chak Wuol

As The 2018 Beijing Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) is scheduled to happen on the 2nd and 3rd December 2018, there is time to remember how the Chinese is operating on the African Continent. The Chinese isn’t coming with empty giving hands of donations or even charity. They come with intent of interests and needs of resources from the continent, by offering loans, serving and building through state owned enterprises (SOE) in various of countries, whether it is roads, ports or railroads are built by Chinese Companies, by Chinese Workers and often on Chinese loans. Therefore, they might end up as Chinese owned enterprises, whose vital for transportation and export of needed minerals and whatnot from the continent.

Instead of coming with loans and direct-aid with strings like Western Powers has done over the last few decades, the Chinese are coming with friendly loans, but the Heads of State should know that the Chinese doesn’t play. They want value for money and expect a return, if it doesn’t they might snatch the new crown-jewel or anticipate to get perks from the state. If that is some sort of trade-off or licenses to extract mineral resources or even minor taxation like toll-roads, where the piece of cash will be sent to Beijing and not the capitol of the country where the road is built. That is how these people operate. They are not in it to play or be giving, but gain advantage and have the upper-hand.

This can be shown by what the State Media in China writes in Xinhua Net wrote today and what a CARI report on the same funds are saying. The Chinese portray the funding as investments on the Continent, as the funds are most likely pushed as loans, which burdens the states and that they have to repay. Loans are not given, but issued because of lack of direct funds to build those infrastructure and investments done. So, what I am saying isn’t mere speculation, but a narrative that has to sink in.

Chinese Investments:

China’s investments into Africa surged by more than 100 times from 2000 to 2017. In the past three years, annual Chinese direct investment into Africa was about 3 billion dollars on average. By the end of 2017, China’s investments of all kinds into Africa totaled 100 billion dollars, covering almost every country on the continent” (Li Xia – ‘Facts & Figures: China-Africa ties: cooperation for shared future’ 02.09.2018 link: http://www.xinhuanet.com/english/2018-09/02/c_137438845.htm).

Chinese Loans:

From 2000 to 2017, the Chinese government, banks and contractors extended US $136 billion in loans to African governments and their state-owned enterprises (SOEs). Angola is the top recipient of Chinese loans, with $42.2 billion disbursed over 17 years. Chinese loan finance is varied. Some government loans qualify as “official development aid.” But other Chinese loans are export credits, suppliers’ credits, or commercial, not concessional in nature. China is not Africa’s largest “donor”” (China Africa Research Initiative – ‘DATA: CHINESE LOANS TO AFRICA’ Version 1.1 August 2018).

They might try to conceal the reality, just like make-up is used on the face to fade the age or even marks that shows stress or pimples. However, the Chinese cannot be able to lie about their intent. They would not offer these sums of cash, without expecting a turnover or even profits. The Chinese wouldn’t allow all these billions of US Dollars spent on these nations to be spoiled and lost on the streets of Lome, Harare, Addis Ababa or Nairobi. They anticipate a return on the loans, either straight cash or getting pieces of the built infrastructure to advance the value of the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI).

That the Heads of State in Africa should be concerned as they are getting in debt traps, instead of being in cycle of positive growth, they are getting new loans to pay the old ones. They are using the same creditor to secure new loans on top of the old-debt. That is how it will continue, until a point where they cannot pay the defaulted debt and the Chinese would then come to snatch something of value to recoup the failing debt. Because they don’t want to write-off the big money without having anything in return. That is what the Chinese has done in Sri Lanka and might start elsewhere. There might be soon more control of port in Djibouti or railroad of Kenya, even the Ethiopia-Djibouti railway line too. As they want their value of money.

They might be all smiles and photo-ops in Beijing these days, the smiles and added loans to dozens of countries. The added “investments” and deals struck, but the Chinese will not do so without getting something in return. To think otherwise, is to be naive and think they don’t have an agenda by doing it.

There is nothing like a free-lunch and the people will learn that, the Heads of State will not directly pay the debt, but the states will do so. Maybe not in this decade or next 5 years, but sooner or later. The bill for the coffee and biscuit will come. Than it is all eaten, but tab still has to be cleared. Peace.

South Sudan: SPLM Leaders (FPD) – Press Statement on the revitalized ARCSS (29.08.2018)

South Sudan: Joint Press Statement by the SPLM/SPLA-IO and SSOA (28.08.2018)

Burundi: Resolution du Senat de la Republique du Burundi en Reponse a la Resolution du 5 Juillet 2018 du Parlement Europeen sur le Burundi (28.08.2018)

Sen. Robert Menendez & Sen. Jeanne Shaheen letter to Secretary Mike Pompeo: Asking for information on the “one-on-one” meeting in Helsinki (24.08.2018)

South Sudan: Joint Monitoring and Evalution Commisison Press Release (20.08.2018)

IGAD: Joint Communique to the People of South Sudan on ceasefire of Khartoum Round of Talks, 19th August 2018, Khartoum (19.08.2018)

Opinion: Why do DP Ruto admire Museveni? – Does he know who he supports?

I am a great supporter of Museveni. Much as Museveni is the president in Uganda, his heart is in the region. His experience is invaluable” (…) “Museveni is our father in the region. He’s very clear on matters of East Africa. I hope Museveni, Uhuru, and other regional leaders can provide us with that opportunity of a Political Federation of EAC” – Deputy President William Ruto at the Young Achievers Awards in Kampala, 18.08.2018).

I am just amazed, that this is happening in the days of detentions, arrests, torture and scandal of epic proportions. That the Kenyan Deputy President William Ruto is professing his admiration and fandom over such a tyrant. That Ruto is saying he is a great supporter of Museveni now. Just show how political savvy the man is, but also how little he cares for human rights, justice and rule of law. Not that its shocking, as he himself has attacked the courts, had no problems using the police and army against the public after the Fresh Presidential Election in 2017. Therefore, Ruto has shown his lack of compassion already.

Ruto is the hustler, the land-grabber and the wealth creator for himself. That is why he has village for himself, a farm and dozens of properties. That is why he owns a newspaper, television and whatnot of corporations. Who needs to run businesses, when you can take it all as a politician. That is why he is in government and not in the private sector. Because where else would he gets such vast wealth and so quick.

That is maybe why he looks up to Museveni, who went from being a poor-man with very little, until stealing the kingdom and taking the republic as hostage. Now he can torture, kill and arrest the civilians, the MPs and the ones who are trespassing on his road. Ruto should know this, he should be able to follow the political landscape of Uganda. As it is just across from Busia. We can wonder if he has turned a blind eye, and doesn’t care about the oppression there. Because that just happens to Ugandans and in his eyes, they are not his electorate. So why care?

You can wonder if DP Ruto wants the same militarism, the same junta government and the same lack of tolerance for other views. That is what is happening across the borders. Museveni is showing again and again, how he uses the Special Force Command or the Presidential Guards for a political bargain. Just like he did last year within Parliament. To get his will and his way, to become President and tyrant for life. That is the reality.

So it is weird, but also a worry, that DP Ruto praises this, because if William would get power in Kenya, would he use the same force and the same will to take control of Eldoret and Nairobi? As Museveni has done in Arua and Kampala?

I don’t know where he stands on all matter. But what I do know, is that DP Ruto is conning and will use any opportunity for a political gain. To say otherwise, is to be oblivious to his kind and character. The former walking pastor, the now hustler, will use all tricks in the books to gain advantage. I can wonder why he does this or if this for the long-con. Whatever it is, it is not the time or place to place his support for Museveni. He is showing his misuse of power and hurt towards his own citizens.

DP Ruto should know better, but maybe he has a dream of becoming a dictator and tyrant himself. Peace.

Statement by the Secretary-General on the passing of former Secretary-General Kofi Annan (18.08.2018)

Kofi Annan was a guiding force for good.  It is with profound sadness that I learned of his passing.  In many ways, Kofi Annan was the United Nations. He rose through the ranks to lead the organization into the new millennium with matchless dignity and determination.

Like so many, I was proud to call Kofi Annan a good friend and mentor. I was deeply honoured by his trust in selecting me to serve as UN High Commissioner for Refugees under his leadership. He remained someone I could always turn to for counsel and wisdom — and I know I was not alone. He provided people everywhere with a space for dialogue, a place for problem-solving and a path to a better world.  In these turbulent and trying times, he never stopped working to give life to the values of the United Nations Charter. His legacy will remain a true inspiration for all of us.

My heartfelt condolences to Nane Annan, their beloved family, and all who mourn the loss of this proud son of Africa who became a global champion for peace and all humanity.