Brexit: EU’s mandate on negotiations shatters some Brexiteers dreams…

Today the European Commission (EC) of the European Union (EU) gave Michael Barnier a mandate to negotiate with the United Kingdom. As they are in the temporary state until the final break with the European Union, the transition period last until 31st December 2020. This means, this will last until 1st January 2021. That is the time table for this and the mandate giving today from the European Commission, which sets the standards for what to come.

The key things for me was these highlights, which really shows that the United Kingdom is really losing. There is nothing in the mandate, which gives the UK any edge. Only shows what the EU is considering important. While the UK will have to negotiate hard to get things better out of this. Especially considering they only have a taskforce within Downing Street Number 10. They don’t even have a unit fixing this anymore.

Just take a look!

ANNEX to COUNCIL DECISION authorising the opening of negotiations with the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland for a new partnership agreement” (25.02.2020)

reflect the United Kingdom’s status as a non-Schengen third country, and that a nonmember of the Union, that is not subject to the same obligations as a member, cannot have the same rights and enjoy the same benefits as a member” (EU, 25.02.2020).

Free Trade Area:

The envisaged partnership should include appropriate rules of origin based on the standard preferential rules of origin of the Union and taking into account the Union’s interest” (EU, 25.02.2020).

Road transport:

As third country operators, United Kingdom road haulage operators should not be granted the same level of rights and benefits as those enjoyed by Union road haulage operators in respect of road freight transport operations from one Union Member State to another (“grand cabotage”) and road freight transport operations within the territory of one Union Member State (“cabotage”)” (EU, 25.02.2020).

Fisheries:

Besides the cooperation on conservation, management and regulation, the objective of the provisions on fisheries should be to uphold Union fishing activities. In particular, it should aim to avoid economic dislocation for Union fishermen that have been engaged in fishing activities in the United Kingdom waters” (EU, 25.02.2020).

Gibraltar:

Any agreement between the Union and the United Kingdom negotiated on the basis of these negotiating directives will not include Gibraltar” (EU, 25.02.2020).

First things first. The EU shows a sign, which the UK haven’t understood or neglect to understand. It is that it will not have the benefits of the EU nor the previous membership as a nonmember, even if the politicians and Tories have acted like that since day one.

Secondly, the EU will work in its own interest, even with their paradigm Free-Trading Area, also making the cargo trade on the roads harder for British exporters from United Kingdom into the European Union. While also, trying to ensure the EU fishing boats access to UK seas. This is all clearly hitting the demands, but also the promises made from the Tories in the UK. They are not shielding the fisheries, they are making it harder for the exporters. Because, they cannot get the access and the mobility, which it has today.

Third, the EU has no concern about Gibraltar. That is really stuffing the faces of London, as they have promised Gibraltar safety and a secure future. However, this is the EU showing a shift in focus on this and putting a hard stance. As this has to be negotiated separately, by this mandates concern. This is surely done to please the Spanish in the EU.

However, what we are seeing, that the mandate isn’t that friendly, the direct approach sets the stakes and also doesn’t give way. As the EU needs to set the foot down and show there is a difference being on the outside, then being inside. Which is the wish of the UK. That is why it got to cost to become a nonmember. Peace.

South Sudan: National Democratic Movement (NDM) – Press Statement (23.02.2020)

Opinion: Priti Patel is celebrating mediocrity

The Home Secretary Priti Patel yesterday (22.02.2020) launched the Blue Passport with the ‘Iconic blue passports return next month’. It is hard to see what there is to celebrate. Other than its an imported Polish passport, which has the colour blue. Like the colour gives the passport unique power.

It is like the United Kingdom is okay with mediocrity. Because of Brexit, they are okay with symbolism. They are okay with a colour scheme on a official travel document over the value it actually has. The UK are losing a lot with the withdrawal of the membership in the European Union. They are losing rights to reside, work and being part of customs unions for the trading of goods too.

Therefore, the whole idea of celebrating that with the temporary status and saying its a victory to get it blue. Is really naive, if not foolish, unless you want propaganda brownie points. Like its a big deal to change the colour of the passport.

The passport only has value as long as it opens up to visa and travelling opportunities. By the ranking of the Passport Index its at the 28h placed. It is also in the Power Rank of the 5th, meaning it is ranking behind plenty of states. This means the colour isn’t all that important.

The Home Secretary should look into why there are 27 passports ahead of the UK and why the citizens of the United Kingdom doesn’t have the ability for mobility like the ones above it. This is the key thing for this sort of thing.

If the Home Secretary doesn’t see that, she is either delusional or not configured her job. However this is how proud she was and it doesn’t make sense.

Home Secretary Priti Patel said:

Leaving the European Union gave us a unique opportunity to restore our national identity and forge a new path in the world. By returning to the iconic blue and gold design, the British passport will once again be entwined with our national identity and I cannot wait to travel on one” (UK, 22.02.2020).

What would be unique would be to enter new visa agreements and give an edge for the citizens mobility. So, that the Passport Index would be better. Like think about getting it up one Power Rank even.

The Home Secretary Patel seemingly more into symbolism, than actual significant change.

Roses are red,

Tories are blue,

and they screwed you”

Peace.

IGAD: Press Statement on the Formation of the Revitalized Transitional Government of National Unity (22.02.2020)

CEDEAO: Communique (21.02.2020)

South Sudan: Today we celebrate the R-TGoNU [after that we need to give them time to work things out]

Well, the celebrations and the praises has been spread around as today on the 22nd February 2020 the Revitalized-Transitional Government of National Unity (R-TGoNU) are inaugurated, as yesterday the decrees was put out and the people from all the various of fraction accordingly to the Revitalized Agreement for a Resolution of the Conflict in South Sudan (R-ARCSS) of 2018.

So, today is a big day. Only four short years of the last inauguration of the Transitional Government of National Unity on the 26th April 2016. Therefore, this time its even more dire to set the record straight, compromise and ensure the prolonged peace. As the last endeavour opened up new wounds and battles between the rebels and the government. Which is today putting all that behind to form the R-TGoNU.

What is happening today is a big feat, it is something that should be celebrated and give hope. Even as bloated as the cabinet is and that there are 5 Vice-Presidents. Still, if that what it takes to have peace. Let it be and then change the system later on. Configure the Parliament and the Cabinet as deemed fit over time. This is a transitional government and that has to work out all the obstacles ahead and also work together to build the Republic.

The cabinet is filled 35 ministers and 10 deputies. All shared across the board. Sudan People’s Liberation Movement – In Government (SPLM-IG) have 20 ministers and 5 deputies. Sudan People’s Liberation Movement – In Opposition (SPLM-IO) have 9 ministers and 3 deputies. South Sudan Opposition Alliance (SSOA) have 3 ministers and 1 deputy. Sudan People’s Liberation Movement – Former Political Detainees (SPLM-FDs) have 2 ministers and Other Political Parties (OPP) have one minister.

Plus the cabinet, the National Assembly will be filled with 550 Members of Parliament. Clearly have a big representation from across the 10 states with the 10 governors and three administrators of the three special administrative areas. We can see there is a lot people gaining and getting positions out of it.

Hopefully that buys peace. Buy time and also get them all to work together towards a common goal. That they implement protocol and structures, that they are leaving egos behind and try to finds ways for lasting peace. The TGoNU of 2016 went into a blister, but we can hope this doesn’t happen now in 2020. Because, its the same gentlemen in power of the biggest outfits. They know the cost and troubles ahead.

The parties, the stakeholders and the international community have to support all efforts. Even if they are going slow. Because, it is better like this, than the prospects of another civil war. Which will only create more havoc and suffering. More pain and lack of a good government for the citizens, as the battlefields and the guns blazing will overtake the society again.

The gentlemen in power. Need to talk, sit down and work things out. This being President Salva Kiir, but also Dr. Riek Machar, all the Vice-Presidents and the whole cabinet. They are forced to work together and find a way for a better tomorrow.

Today is the day to celebrate, but also to give them time. Even if they had a long time getting here. Because, they need it and the public has to see it. Since, if they are forced to quickly and disagreeing. These men are used to take it to the field, instead of negotiating. That is why they need new methods and new measures to secure a peaceful outcome. Where they are not promoting war-games, but instead building the state together. Peace.

South Sudan: SSOA letter to President Kiir – Sub: SSOA Nominees for Vice President (VP) position per R-ARCSS (20.02.2020)

South Sudan: National Democratic Movement (NDM) – Press Statement – A Dark Day for SSOA (22.02.2020)

Pan African Movement – Uganda National Chapter: Statement on the Formation of the Revitalized Transitional Government of National Unity of the Republic of South Sudan (21.02.2020)

Uganda-Rwanda Tensions XXVII: Comunique Final – Quatrieme Sommet Quadripartite entre les Chefs d’Etat et de Gouvernment de la Republique d’Angola, la Republique Democratique du Congo, La Republique de l’Ouganda et la Republique du Rwanda (21.02.2020)