Opinion: Museveni suspending the DGF is biting the hand that feeds him

Now that the letter from President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni to Minister of Finance Matia Kasaija is out. The infamous letter where he suspends the accounts of the Democratic Governance Facility (DGF). This is important, because the DGF supports programs and organizations across the Republic. The DGF is sole funder of several of civil society organizations and non-governmental organizations. There are atleast 70 of them that is hit by this and would cease operations, as the funding and lack of funds to pay staff. That is all happening, because Museveni wrote a letter in early January 2021.

President Museveni have targeted CSOs and NGOs around election time. That is common. That he claims they are up to “no good” and supporting “terrorism” or any other objectively bad enterprise they can. That has been common for decades. However, ceasing their funding totally and blocking a multi-national funding scheme like the DGF. Only undercuts the ideals of the givers, the donors and the ones who monetary support the government and people in the Republic in general. This isn’t government funded money from the tax-base. No, these funds are given from outsiders to support governance and other organizations to strengthen democratic institutions and educate the masses.

The DGF is a collective fund donated by the European Union, Austria, Denmark, Ireland, Netherlands, Norway and Sweden to support programs and CSOs/NGOs in Uganda. They are partnered with at least 72 organizations across the republic to different capacities. All working in various of fields and for causes to better the Republic. They are all civil society voices for good governance and creating a freer society. However, that is clearly not the beacon that the President believes in anymore.

The donors that see this action by Museveni should shun him and cease all direct donor-funds and also block all loans through multi-national organizations, which the donors are funding as well. That would make it harder for the President to operate and he would seek funds elsewhere. If he wants to be free of stipulations and not have any oversight. This cutting funds to International Monetary Funds (IMF) and World Bank (WB). Also others where the Government of Uganda is seeking loans for development projects and government programs.

The National Resistance Movement was able in the late 1980s and 1990s to have progress and financial backing to pursuit the government programs, which is it so proud of. The state also saw debt relief and cuts from donors. Now, the NRM is gaining more debt, but also putting in obstacles with the donors in regards to the DGF. The ones funding DGF should suspend all other funds and funding that goes towards Museveni. As a retaliation to this, as these projects, programs and NGOs/CSOs are working for ideals that Museveni once stood for, but with lingering in office despises.

We are clearly seeing the punitive action made by Museveni. He wants to prove supremacy, but does it in a mockery of a way. This is only showing the donors what sort of little man he is. That he has to go to this step. Take away the securities of the CSOs and NGOs. Instead of actually serving the general public. If the President really did that. He would haven’t have the need for all these CSOs/NGOs to cover where the government is lacking. The state is fluid and lacking institutions. That’s why the state needs them to cover the basics and civic education. This is still needed after over 30 years in power. That shows the weakness of the Presidency and his reign.

President Museveni isn’t showing strength here. His showing weakness and lack of control. That he got to act like this. This is acting a villain and hurting own citizens, because he can. So, the donors should act upon this and not just take it on the chin. They should show force too. Just to prove him what he has done. It is about time and not just “condemn” and move-on. That is not making any changes or challenging the old man. You need to meet him head-on. He plays games and these are with the lives of all these organizations. It is not the money of Museveni and neither funding from the state either. That is why his sour, as he got to loan to pay his cronies salaries. This is why he attacks and confronts, instead of talking and negotiating with the donors.

What he does with this is putting himself in corner and making less friends. If he wanted more support and legitimacy. He should have acted differently. However, he rather picks the trick of the pariah, instead of the friendly grand-pa, which is what he tries to act in the media. That is clearly not working and that is why this letter is undressing his motives. Peace.

South Sudan: Letter from Minister of Presidential Affairs Nhial Deng Nhial to Secretary General of St. Egidio Community Paolo Impagliazzo – Subject: Status of Participation of (R-TGoNU) in the Peace Talks with (SSOMA) scheduled for 2/2/2021 (30.01.2021)

Opinion: UK – Why be apart of Europe (EU) when the water is bluer in the Pacific (CPTPP)?

The United Kingdom is really a special breed and the Tories leadership is something else. After all the years of tussling and muffling the transition and the negotiations with the European Union (EU). Which be recent reports will be a steady affair for 50 years. The government of United Kingdom (UK) have now opted for a new “union” or Free-Trade Agreement.

The UK had the most beneficial and biggest trade deal with the common market in the European Union with all of its member states and EEA. However, that has been dismissed, as they have the new Withdrawal Agreement and non-membership, which was so important for the Tories to set in action. They wanted to get out so they could have their own agreements, deals and not be bound by Brussels. However, the ending of common market with the EU have caused its trouble. There are problems with logistics, forms and declarations of produce/products across from Europe to the United Kingdom. Still, in the midst of that.

The Tories have a new idea. The Tories are joining the Comprehensive and Progressive Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP). Where the negotiations are starting this year to be a part of the Free Trade Agreement between 11 nations. These are: Australia, Brunei Darussalam, Canada, Chile, Japan, Malaysia, Mexico, New Zealand, Peru, Singapore, and Vietnam.

Clearly, the UK ditched the simple trading across the bay. Instead of getting things to the Low Countries, France and Italy. Heck even Germany, Polen and the Czech Republic. Why not try to send Yorkshire tea easier to the Kingdom of Brunei?

By all means, any trade deal is a good deal for a nation. However, every nation and every kingdom tends to trade most with their neighbours. That is a historical fact for most nations. They tend to have most common with the nations right beside it. Surely, it is should be easier to sell something from London to Dublin. Instead in this case it will be easier sell something from Bristol to Auckland and that is insane. But, that is the Tories in a nutshell.

It is nuts and bonkers that the ones screaming to leave one thing is signing up this quickly. That they are moving over to another project that easily. Yes, there might be less stings attached, but on the other hand. The UK had a good hand, but they spoilt it by leaving. The Tories and the UK could have had more influence and used their buying power in the Union, but instead they couldn’t care less.

Now, they rather go on the deep dive in the pacific. Instead of just across the British channel. That is just weird. That say it all about the leadership in Downing Street and at Whitehall. That they have these ideas and think it can ease the pain. Yes, they will get sales and get trading going on in the pacific. However, how will that be substantial in comparison to what you used to have with the European Union?

It is not like these sort of arrangements and logistically is easily accessible. The CPTPP will be a Free Trade Agreement (FTA) but at what cost?

The EU have by comparison 43% of the World Trade. While the CPTPP have 14% of it. Yes, it is a substantial part of the world trade in the CPTPP. Nevertheless, the UK haven’t shot the silver bullet here. It is like they just trying to patch the hurt and make it sound splendid. Even though deep down… they know they lost out of chance of a lifetime and they are afraid of turning back.

That is why the deep blue sea of the Pacific seems so refreshing compared to crossing over the familiar channel from Folkestone to Calais. Peace.

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South Sudan: If the Transitional Period lasting to 2023 isn’t they soon making this stalemate permanent?

Well, the first deadline of the Revitalized – Agreement for a Resolution of the Conflict in South Sudan (R-ACRSS) was on the 12th May 2019. That was stipulated by the Khartoum Declaration. Clearly, this has been postponed twice already. R-ARCSS and the Transitional Government of National Unity (TGoNU) have given itself more time to implement it.

Therefore, today on the 5th January 2021. There is reports that the TGoNU plans to reign in a transitional fashion until 2023. That is giving itself 2 more years and a few more months depending on when its scheduling an election. That’s why today is a shattering day. A day where the government is ceasing its mandate and only consolidating it more.

The momentum of the agreement is dying down. The President and his allies is ruling on decrees as we speak. His appointing people and securing the ones he wants into office. The agreement is followed and various of stakeholders are getting various of positions. While the National Assembly and other institutions are not followed up. That is why the President and his FVPs can get off the hook. They are eating and enjoying the perks, but without any real accountability.

The Republic’s leadership is stalling the transition. That is clear, as they have had the time and the ability to do so. Seemingly, some of parts of agreements wouldn’t be worked upon, as the TGoNU and its allies has to give way. They have to work on the appointments and creations of a Hybrid Court. Which again could face cases and petitions of criminal behaviour. Something that might implicate parts of the current leaders and their handling’s of affairs. The same being warfare and conflicts, which haven’t always been sorted out in a peaceful manner.

The Transitional Government with another deadline and another time-laps will only fatigue the public. As they are supposed to stick by the anointed leaders, which isn’t their representatives, but previous warlords and generals. These who has created the conflicts and haven’t made proper peace. As these cannot configure or implement these agreements.

They can stand together and photo-bomb the stage. They can sign agreements when the funds are running low and get legitimacy out of it. Buying more and more time, but not fixing the core issues. Instead of institutionalize the government and create stability. The state is just supposed to accept the Presidential Decrees and the overpowering mandate of a President who never was elected. However, was the king of the liberating party and armed command at the time.

President Salva Kiir is just holding on to power. While he cannot figure out how to work with Dr. Riek Machar. The citizens are suffering, because to big-men cannot put their egos to the side and let bygones be bygones. I’m not saying its easy or not earth-shattering to drop the grievances. However, if these folks want to be remembered as statesmen in the future. They got to stick together and become a functioning duo.

The word salads of the SPLM/A, SPLM-IO, SPLM/A-IO, SSOM or Real-SPLM for that matter. The SPLM/A-IG and so forth. It is time to just stick together and build. Not postpone and keep a tab on the transition. That cannot last forever. If it lasts forever and continues to be kept this way. It isn’t temporary anymore, but a made up title just to keep power.

For some nothing is more temporary as a government reform. However, when your building and put your print on the walls. You better build well. So, that the next one taking over cannot only trust the foundation, but continue to add on it. Such in a way that the next leader can make life even better for the citizens. That should be the goal.

However, by how things looking now. The postponing of implementation or facing out the transition seems to be a game for the long-con of the ones in office. Peace.

Ethiopia: Press Releason the Tripartite Meeting of Ministers of Foreign Affairs and Ministers of Water Affairs on the GERD (03.01.2021)