United States Ends Participation in Global Compact on Migration (02.12.2017)

Burundi: FPB letter to President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni – “Subject: The disapperance of FPB leaders in Tanzania and the role of this country in the Inter-Burundian Dialogue” (29.11.2017)

Burundi: MSD Declaration on the Inter-Burundian Dialogue (01.12.2017)

Brexit: Guy Verhofstadt letter to Michel Barnier – “The European Parliament expects more on citizens’ rights and much more on the Irish border question” (29.11.2017)

Burundi: FPB Letter to President Magufuli on the Inter-Burundian Dialogue (21.11.2017)

Opinion: Police besieging the Red Pepper and charging editors with ‘Treason’ after the published article, says there are more to the story, than Ugandan Government want the public to know!

The story that was published on the 20th November in Red Pepper named: “M7 Plotting To Overthrow Kagame – Rwanda”. Has clearly sparked some tensions within the National Resistance Movement and the Uganda Police Force. Since since 21st November the besieged paper, have been searched with warrants and the editors been charged today on the 23rd November with treason. This is like the Gen. Sejusa stories in May 2013 all over again. As the NRM are trying to deflect and says the stories are not true and is baseless. Still, they are assaulting and silencing the media who reported the story. It doesn’t make sense. If it is a baseless allegations and without merit. Wouldn’t it be better to not care or just file a complaint in court? Wouldn’t it be better to file a case and show that they have to retract the story after the allegations are falsified?

Instead, with the use of Anti-Terrorist Police and use of force within the headquarters after the story was published. You are allowed to question if the NRM are afraid of their secret operations and training camps of specialized militia. They have done similar with training camps in Kisoro for operations within Kivu provinces in Democratic Republic of Congo. So another story like this could be true. Therefore, with the recent reactions, it is harder not to be believe that Museveni wanted another foreign scalp. He has done that also in past, so he has the capacity and brazen armed tactics to fence of neighbors to get puppets there as well. Therefore, the story might be true, as the partisan police force are now attacking the Red Pepper.

Here is some reports on the latest news concerning the paper!

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has learned, with dismay, of the Red Pepper cover story carried on Monday November 20, 2017 with the headline “M7 plotting to overthrow Kagame – Rwanda” in which the Red Pepper reproduces a malicious article by a Rwandan online publication “Rushyashya” of an alleged plan by the Ugandan Government to overthrow the Rwanda Government. The Ministry dismisses, with contempt, allegations carried by any media publications or platforms to the effect that relations between Rwanda and Uganda are anything but strong and cordial. The Ministry informs the citizens of both Uganda and Rwanda that the continuous innuendo by the likes of “Rushyashya” and various other media outlets both in Uganda and Rwanda, including the Red Pepper is mischievous at best, irresponsible at worst and meant to sow discord between our two sister nations. The Ministry condemns such abuse of the communication platforms they are privileged to manage” (Amb. Patrick S. Mugoya – ‘UGANDA-RWANDA TIES SOLID’ 20.11.2017).

Uganda: Committee to Protect Journalists concerned by reports that 8 senior managers and editors of RED Pepper UG were arrested yesterday over report. The directors and editors of Pepper Publications Group who were picked from their offices on Tuesday by police, are detained at Nalufenya Police Detention Centre in Jinja, according to Daily Monitor. The Tuesday operation was led by Kampala Metropolitan Commander, Mr Frank Mwesigwa. According to the company’s lawyer, Mr Dickens Byamukama, all the five directors and top editors were driven to Nalufenya at around mid-night. “All the directors plus three editors were taken to Nalufenya at around mindnight after being detained at our office for close to 8 hours. The police say they are going to drive them back to Kampala today [Wednesday], so we are still waiting on them,” Mr Byamukama said. The five directors are; Richard Tusiime (CEO), Patrick Mugumya (CPO), Arinaitwe Rugyendo (CM0), James Mujuni (CCO) and Johnson Musinguzi Byarabaha (CFO). The editors are; Ben Byarabaha (Managing Editor), Richard Kintu (News Editor) and Tumusiime Francis Tinywana (Bwino Newspaper Editor who doubles as General Manager)” (CPJ Africa – Committee to Protect Journalists, 22.11.2017).

Namanve based Red Pepper Publications has been ordered closed after an earlier siege by security personnel this afternoon. A source inside Red Pepper tells Nile Post that after rummaging the offices, the media house has been ordered to shut. “We have been ordered to close, all workers also ordered to stop working,” the source intimates. The source also adds that all computers have been taken, while workers have been asked to surrender their phones and electronic gadgets. Immediately after surrendering items, staff at red pepper have been ordered to vacate the premises with immediate effect. Red Pepper publication on November 20 published an article with headline; “M7 plotting to overthrow Kagame – Rwanda” which was reproduced from a Rwandan online publication “Rushyashya” of an alleged plan by the Ugandan Government to overthrow the Rwanda Government. However, the government in a statement by Ministry of Affairs Permanent Secretary, Patrick Mugoya, has rubbished the claims, citing that the two countries are currently enjoying strong and cordial relations” (Information Uganda, 21.11.2017).

Five directors and three editors of The Red Pepper are charged with treason, offensive communication and disturbing the peace of President Yoweri Museveni, Security Minister Henry Tumukunde and Gen. Salim Saleh. Those facing charges include directors, Arinaitwe Rugyendo, Patrick Mugumya, Johnson Musinguzi, Richard Tusiime and James Mujuni and editors Ben Byarabaha, Richard Kintu and Francis Tumusiime. They are all detained at Nalufenya Prison in Jinja district” (Uganda Radio Network, 23.11.2017).

So now the ones publishing a non-story is detained at Nalufenya and also charged with treason. They have taken all ICT and telecommunications at the headquarters. The Police and the Ministers has tried to deflect the story and saying there is nothing between Rwanda and Uganda. They have a cordial relationship as republics. But henceforth that is hard to believe, when editors and publishers of the Red Pepper is slapped with charges of treason.

They have clearly written something within the story of Museveni plotting to overthrow Kagame on the 20th November 2017. If there was nothing, would they have gone this far against the press and against the ones who wrote it? If there is nothing, why are they trying at the same time to deflect it to the media?

The signals they are sending and the assault on Red Pepper seems like panic-mode for a released story and dossier that hurts the relationship between Kagame and Museveni. As it shows again, that Museveni wants a puppet in Rwanda. That would not be surprising, as Museveni helped Rwanda Patriotic Front/Army in 1994, as the Rwandans helped him to power in 1986. The relationship between Kagame and Museveni have gone up and down over the years. But this would be a final blow between them. If not, Kagame maybe just don’t care about Museveni and his offerings.

Whatever, this is, it is clearly that it got the alert and the NRM working overtime. Since they cannot stomach the stories and the possible altercations created by it. They cannot manage to do it without reasons if it is a non-story. Like file a petition to court and get a verdict, then get damages and question the editors and journalists integrity. Instead, they are verifying the story, by detaining and putting charges of treason on their heads.

The toppling story of Kagame becomes more real, because of their actions. It seems less of conspiracy and more of a reality. Since the state has to do this to the publication and their workers. It makes it more likely, as their actions speaks louder than words. If it wasn’t anything to care about or fear. Why start with blazing guns and besiege the Red Pepper Headquarters?

The answer is within the state and within the security operation who has done this. It is within the leadership of the NRM and the Security Officials who are mentioned. They have the answers and could open up for possible reasoning. They cannot speak with double tongues. In one perspective: “it’s nothing, don’t look” and secondly: “it’s treasonous and criminal, don’t look!”. It is either a crime, because the state planned something criminal and trying to change the leadership in Rwanda. Or it is fiction, which could be challenged in the courts. Instead, the first is more likely, than the latter. That is because of the activity and the blatant acts of oppression against the Red Pepper. The NRM cannot hide from that, President Museveni can neither.

Kagame is the only one that should be smiling, since his counterparts has to clean-up his shop and show his real stamina. While keeping cool. That is why we haven’t heard anything from Rwanda on this matter. They are cool and smug about it. They should be too, since the NRM and Museveni is the ones losing face. Peace.

SADC: Communique of the Summit of hte Organ Troika Plus SADC Chair on the Political Situation in the Republic of Zimbabwe (21.11.2017)

Opinion: I don’t expect Dictators to fall, unless serious changes befall on them!

After Zimbabwe, people have started to blaze the horns and expecting other dictators to fall. Well, I am humbly saying, I hope so, but don’t expect so. Unless, there are vital changes, unless they lose their support and their weapons behind them. If the support and armies are not behind them, than the Robert Mugabe story can be repeated elsewhere. But it will be different from state to state, from president to president. As each President has built around a stronger or weaker system of orders, strength of institutions and also personal cult around themselves. We also know they are using their myths and their state media to serve their interests.

President’s that I will honor with a mention are Joseph Kabila, Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, Pierre Nkurunziza, Faure Gnassingbe, Hailemariam Desalegn, Isias Afwerki, Omar Al-Bashir, Idriss Deby, Paul Biya, Teodoro Obiang Nguema Mbasango, Mahamadou Issoufou, Paul Kagame and Ismaïl Omar Guelleh. These are a list of honorable mentions, there several more that could be put on a list, but these was the first to mention, if feel someone is left behind. Please leave that in the comments down below(I know that sounds like a Youtuber, but I had to take inspiration from somewhere).

All of these men in their republics knows that they use power and security organizations to quell, silence and oppress their opposition. They are keeping control of the state reserves and has their party as filled of loyalists and cronies. All of this states are militarized, there is state controlled media and has various of different rules. They are strict and controlling from the state houses and the freedom in these states are limited. The state and business are usually connected with the President and his family. If not there are cronies who also have business and fortunes. So the dictators are for the moment having control and making sure the people is not uprising.

What we can know is that if these dictators take it to far and the fear for the repercussion from the state. So as long as the public and opposition are detained for arbitrary arrests and citizens hurt after demonstrations. While the state reserves and donor funds are eaten by the elite, while the countries are kept poor. As long as the republic’s are poor, than they still need more foreign donors and supply. So it is good for the dictators to keep their nations poor, as the Western and Multi-National Organization can continue to supply them with non-binding funds. That they are free to use on military and one themselves, instead of building institutions and good governance, it is all controlled by the one man on top and his loyal subjects around.

This is well known and for different reasons, these men should always worry about their decisions and their capacity to rule. Nothing last for ever. There will be some who might want to take their place and replace them. Someone will always be opposition and fight for democratic values, but sooner or later they will succeed. It is just a matter of how and how long it takes.

They are all based on strong military control, even minor specialized groups who are like Presidential Guards/Republican Guards or Special Forces. These are controlled usually by either relations or trusted generals, who are loyal not to turn against the President. The Presidents promotes and demotes leaders inside their armies often, the same in the police force/service to compensate and also to make sure the old guard of warrior and soldiers who fought for the President. Will not be seen as a threat or have power to ever topple him. That is why they are trying to distance themselves from the ones who brought them to power, because they will know their inner-tactics; that is why the stalwarts and historicals are more public personas, but not people of power. Even if they did have so in past.

That is done to secure the role and secure the commander-in-chief, even the President always need the historical battles and origin story to keep himself relevant and prove his place. He don’t needs ones who fought with him and his cause. They will just ask for checks- and balances on the promises made in liberation and in the battles against previous oppressors. That is why they are not entangled with these, unless they give them phony medals and grant money, to hopefully silence them.

Still, with all the protocol and strength of the army, they are still vulnerable as they know this too. That why they are calculating and trying to find out the next person who wants their role and their positions. Which is why there are changes in their cabinets, Vice-Presidents and Prime Ministers. Until they find persons and people they trust to not ambitions to overpower them. Also, they want to stop other MPs and other voices to install hope in the population and to create popularity that is bigger then their personal cult and their teachings.

However, there are ways to bring them down by actually not fearing the state security organizations, waiting for the President to act swiftly without feeling the tensions within his own party. Like President Robert Mugabe did recently. If not actually know you have lost all legitimacy in recent elections, but not willing to step down like Yayha Jammeh. That was ECOWAS and Senegal who intervened on behalf of the newly elected President. Which was the reason for the dictator ending in Exile recently.

Therefore, we have to hope for leaders who have capacity to capture the pulse of the people who are oppressed, of the ones who are marginalized and the ones who are captured by the state. Since the dictatorships doesn’t give up easy, unless there is no escape. History has learned us that and therefore, the lesson needs to be learned. We in our time cannot give in and accept that the liberty, freedom and government are taken by one elite and one ruler.

Certainly, it will not be easy, the fight against oppressors will cost and take time. That is proven time in and time out. The same will happen here, but with their aging and their lack of control. Their trust in family members and trying to create family dynasties. They might fall like Mugabe. Even if some are sons of former presidents. Doesn’t mean they can continue owning the title and running the state. It is proven that is not accepted and that is all within reason. This is what happen in Zimbabwe and we understand if similar events transpire elsewhere.

In the end it is all up to the public for change, the public reactions and their demonstrations, boycotts and their inner works to dismantle the oppressive dictatorship. Often the international community and international counterparts will not intervene as they wants mineral resources and other commodities for cheap; and as long one partner can be bribed, the workers and resources don’t need to paid-in-full or proper. This prospers foreign investments and multi-national companies. This is not well-spoken of, but should be revealed, as it is so often shady dealings with resources sold or land to investors from these dictators. They are funding the state and military, that together with aid are keeping these regimes afloat.

With all this in mind, we have to continue the struggle against these men that are keeping people hostage and taking away freedom and liberty, freedom to assembly and to be activists. They are licensing and authorizing businesses and if people are allowed to have parties and civil society organizations. This are all in different ways, the same with the media and other public ways of sharing information. These are often controlled like all else are in society and in the republic.

We can just wonder if we let this repeat itself, let them continue to oppress and letting these multi-national corporations earn on this forms of government. If we can accept that aid and multi-national organizations keeping budgets and keeping them as leaders, because if these leaders would struggle more economically, more loyalists and more cronies would actually deflect quicker. Also, that if the economy struggle and the security organizations are not paid-off. They could instead of turning their weapons against the public, they could turn against the government/regime. So there are many ways together with public uprising that is needed to topple these dictatorships. Peace.

U.S. Congress Committee on Oversight and Government Reform letter to Vice-President-Elect Mike Pence (18.11.2016)

Minister Okello Oryem Meets Troika Representatives (17.11.2017)

 

The meeting addressed the current political situation in South Sudan and the resultant refugee crisis in the neighboring countries, especially in Uganda.

KAMPALA, Uganda, November 17, 2017 – On November 15, 2017 the Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Hon. Henry Oryem Okello met with Representatives of the South Sudan peace-guarantor Troika member countries (Norway, United Kingdom and the United States) at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Kampala. The Troika Representatives were Mr. Paul Sutphin (USA), Mr. Chris Trott (UK) and Mr. Ering Skjonsberg (Norway).

The meeting addressed the current political situation in South Sudan and the resultant refugee crisis in the neighboring countries, especially in Uganda.

The members of the Troika reiterated their strong support for the combined efforts of the African Union (AU), Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD), and United Nations to end the conflict in South Sudan, and joined their recent calls on all armed parties, including the Government of South Sudan, the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement in Opposition, and other armed groups, to commit to a ceasefire.

They emphasized that the dire humanitarian crisis in South Sudan is the direct result of the conflict and called on all parties to cease violence against humanitarian workers and obstruction of humanitarian assistance.

The Troika endorsed the ongoing efforts by IGAD and praised Uganda’s peace initiative which aimed at bringing the warring parties to the negotiating table, positively noting that this initiative was endorsed by both parties to the conflict. The Troika expressed pleasure that Uganda is in full support of the IGAD process. In addition, they endorsed the work of the UN Mission in the Republic of South Sudan, and the deployment of its Regional Protection Force.

Hon Okello welcomed the visiting team and stressed the importance of the support being extended towards all the peace initiatives. He reassured them that Uganda will continue playing a mediatory and conciliatory role between the belligerent parties to ensure that an agreement is reached.

In attendance at the meeting were the Heads of Diplomatic Missions of the Troika resident in Kampala and senior officials of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.