Central Bank of Kenya: Monetary Police Committee Meeting (28.01.2019)

Opinion: When did Kenyatta become a one-track pony?

President Uhuru Kenyatta is continuing his rants and promises to go against the ones who are corrupt in Kenya. That is become so old, that I think personally, that its only trick he has up his sleeve, except for a few PR Stunt any rare moment to look golden.

A One Trick Pony is defined by Merriam-Webster as: “one that is skilled in only one area, also : one that has success only once” (Merriam-Webster – One Trick Pony’). With that in mind, we can see that it fits Kenyatta well, because it seems like the only thing he has.

Not like it seems like he has the capacity or ability to do anything else. That is why CS Fred Matiang’i becomes his Mr. Fix-It and Mr. Clean. So, that he can ensure some parts of the Big Four Programme actually get done.

What is the legacy and salvage of this man, who every month and twice a week. Not far fetched, are ranting about fighting corruption, stopping corrupt behaviour, but not seeing any significant results. By all means, the chicken thieves are getting caught, but the ones selling chicken at the IEBC took their G-Walk and resigned. They got their deals and earned, but at a later date appointed elsewhere in the government system. That is just the way it is.

The President can speak ill of the practice, of the acts of illusion and the acts of supposed government activity. However, the reality is that his elite, his cronies and the ones associated with him. Usually his Cabinet Secretaries and other have been implicated, but not touched. The ones running State Owned Enterprises are also misusing their position to bag the public money. Same with the Commissioners and others doing it too. Therefore, the President does this, but only let people go, but after a suspension he cave and give them a new position.

That is why, it is boring reading the same-old, same-old story, that is on repeat. It has been said and ranted about for so long. The tale of battle against the corrupt officials, the appointed officials and the close associates of the President. The President are not going against them, but has issues with Local Government and Civil Servants, but they are eating small-fry, which is bad enough. However, when they look at the people around the Executive they seems like untouchable.

That is why certain can skate away, even some who has eaten for instance with the Eurobonds and the National Youth Service (NYS) funds.

This has continued, there are new proof, now it is the Weston Hotel and the ownership of Deputy President William Ruto, who grabbed the public land to build a luxury hotel. That is the capacity and ability of the people around the President.

Still, with that in mind. He still rants like there is no tomorrow. Everyone will meet the fires of hell, if they are even thinking of acting ill and do a fraud or cheat the state of funds from some government entity.

However, the rants are just empty talk. The threats and the warnings has been so many. That it has more discs than Michael Jackson. It has more tunes than any Mixtape Rapper out there. Because, Kenyatta does it on the regular.

It is time to stop the talk, because this is the one trick that he has. It is time for him to change and act real. Apparently, that is to much to ask. Since with all the years as Head of State. Kenyatta could have acted, but at this point it doesn’t seem real. Peace.

UNOCHA: Conflict in western Cameroon drives up humanitarian needs, international support urgently needed (24.01.2019)

EP Brexit Steering Group calls on the UK to overcome the deadlock (24.01.2019)

EP Brexit Steering Group discussed today the state of play of Brexit in light of last week’s meaningful vote and Prime Minister May’s Statement last Monday.

It calls on the UK to clarify its position in the coming days.

European Parliament’s Brexit Steering Group under the Chairmanship of its coordinator, Guy VERHOFSTADT (ALDE, BE)welcomed the Government’s decision to waive the fee for EU citizens applying for the UK’s settled status scheme, something the European Parliament has consistently pushed for. It called on the EU Member States to follow this example with respect to all UK citizens residing on their territory.

The BSG stressed that following the rejection by the House of Commons of the Withdrawal Agreement and the Political Declaration, the UK Government must work together with all political parties in the House of Commons to overcome this deadlock. It expects the UK side to come back as quickly as possible with a positive and viable proposal on the way forward.

The BSG reiterated that the Withdrawal Agreement is fair and cannot be re-negotiated. This applies especially to the backstop, since it is the guarantee that under no circumstances will there be a hardening of the border on the island of Ireland while at the same time safeguarding the integrity of the Single Market. The EU remains clear, firm and united on this even if the negotiated backstop is not meant to be used. Therefore, the BSG insists that, without such an “all-weather” backstop-insurance, the European Parliament will not give its consent to the Withdrawal Agreement.

The BSG also reiterated Parliament’s long standing position that it is open to a much more ambitious future relationship, should the UK consider this. This would not only allow for a closer EU-UK future partnership but could also avoid deployment of the backstop. It expects greater clarity next week from the UK on its position on the EU-UK relationship for the future.

The BSG recognised that a rejection of the Agreement increases the chances of a disorderly exit of the UK, which cannot be mitigated by any form of specific arrangement(s) between the EU and the UK. It stressed that while a no deal exit would not be in anybody’s interests, the only responsible course of action remains to continue and to intensify work on no deal planning. It reiterated the European Parliament’s determination to ensure in such a case that there would be no disruption for EU citizens in the UK or for UK citizens in the EU.

Next steps

The BSG will reconvene immediately after the vote in the House of Commons on the 29 January to discuss the way forward, and the European Parliament will hold a debate at its sitting of 30-31 January.

Brexit Steering Group

Somalia: $1.08 billion required to support 3.4 million Somalis with life-saving and livelihood assistance (21.01.2019)

Misa Zimbabwe: High Court sets aside internet shut down directives (21.01.2019)

Zimbabwe: IndustriALL Global Union calls for an end to persecution of union leaders and to engage in social dialogue (21.01.2019)

Zimbabwe: Speculations of a showdown between Mnangagwa & Chiwenga(!)

As the uncertainty is spiralling out of proportions, there are new rumours, which is not yet verified. But they might unravel the Zimbabwe African National Union – Patriotic Front (ZANU-PF) as the relations between President Emmerson Mnangagwa and Vice-President Constantino Chiwenga. Who are both from two different fractions of the ruling regime, the Lacoste and Cosleg. They are maybe fighting for supremacy.

This would be a repeat of the November 2017 coup d’etat, though it is more bloody this time. As the latest few days has taken dozens of lives and the soldiers has been violating peoples rights on the regular. Therefore, since the fuel prices skyrocketed on the 12th January 2019, the Shutdown has really hit the Republic hard.

Suddenly, as the President was supposed to be attending the Davos Summit of 2019, but has instead planned to return. While that is happening. There are speculation and reports. That is worrying even more. They are amplifying as well. Because, it has been mere words. However, now they are getting more vocal.

Tony Karombo reported today: “At least 35 Zanu PF MPs met at the party’s headquarters in Harare on Friday night, where war veterans’ leader Christopher Mutsvangwa laid out the plan, sources have said. The rebels are said to be considering a wildcard candidate to take over. Legally, Vice Presidents Constantino Chiwenga or Kembo Mohadi, the other Vice President, would assume the presidency on an acting basis until Zanu PF nominates a replacement, who could be a new name” (…) “The plotters, sources said, were fanning out this weekend to the provinces to mobilise parliamentary and party support for Mnangagwa’s ouster. The panic in Zanu PF has been occasioned by a fear that the party could be “run out of town” by a popular uprising. This follows Monday’s widespread protests over a 150 percent increase in the price of fuel decreed by Mnangagwa. The protesters exhibited a militancy never before seen” (Zim Live – ‘War veterans leader Mutsvangwa leads dramatic plot to oust Mnangagwa’ 20.01.2019).

We don’t know if this is true. However, that is not the only words spoken about that. That is the worrying part. Even as the Social Media Black-Out and Internet Blockade. Still, these sort of speculations comes out. That shows that something is going-on and reasons behind the sudden back-flip of Mnangagwa. As he wouldn’t change his plans that swiftly, if he wasn’t fearing for something going on behind his back or had to take control of the situation. He knows how easily things can get out of hand. As he saw how quickly he went from being banished and in exile. To come back because of the Lacoste beating the G-40 part of Zanu-PF. He knows this perfectly well.

The Second source says this: “We have a potential crisis on our hands. The gloves are off between ED Mnangagwa and General Chiwenga. Sources have revealed that the major bone of contention is that Chiwenga wants Chamisa to be respected and given a Prime Ministerial post to restore confidence and fix the economy. As we speak ZANU PF provinces have started passing resolutions against Chiwenga seeking his expulsion from party and government. As we enter into the 2nd leg of the shutdown please stay indoors, lock your gate, lock your doors and preserve your life” (Unverified report, 20.01.2019).

We don’t know if either is true or what is going on. There is one more report from the diaspora, as the speculation continues to ravish: “Plans are to nominate General Chiwenga to the office of the President in few weeks to come as an incumbent since hes Deputising ED also to bring back the key young man Chamisa as the Prime Minister once the operation goes successful against the ED led Russian regime, then after 3 months fresh elections are to take place were it is believed General Chiwenga wants to give in Power to the young Chamisa this time, Chigumba will play a fair role this time as the Generals all they want to see is a true wish of the people & a Democratic process being followed, Chiwenga & all other post era Generals are set to retire after this final process they called Dupped Zimbabwe Restoration (DZR). General Chiwenga was quoted last week saying “if we did it before, we will do it again, this time in respect to the people of Zimbabwe not us as the Generals”” (Junta.Repo.G, 19.01.2019).

However, these cannot be verified. Whatever that is worrying is the signals it is all sending and the uncertainty, as the ZANU-PF isn’t the sort of Party where transparency or the truthful manner is ordinary behaviour. Rather the opposite and they can act like Game of Thrones to get into power. Usually, the king has lasted for decades, but now things are happening quickly. Because, the ones close to power has seen it is actually possible to topple the King.

These reports are not from viable sources. Therefore, I am not taking it as good things. But still showing it, because, this shows the talk of the town. This shows what is viable and what people thinks is happening. As the killings, torture, arrests and persistence of violence is happening. Therefore, there have to be apparent reason for everything. Since the soldiers are in the streets and they are acting like it is Martial Law.

ZANU-PF might be infighting, but they are might using t this speculation as a cover-up for their intention. Who know, because it is not like they are open and transparent … We all know that.

Mnangagwa and Chiwenga might be fighting, the War Vets and the Zanu PF might have some plans. The Cosleg and Lacoste are maybe doing something, but we cannot know right now. What we do know is that the soldiers are hurting, killing and arresting people. They are violent against the public, as they are struggling because of the fuel prices and that tearing up the Republic.

Who knows, if the Zimlive reports are true and we will know within 72 hours. However, right now, we don’t know. Peace.

Brexit: Labour Leader Jeremy Corbyn response letter to Prime Minister Theresa May (18.01.2019)

Zimbabwe: The Republic is burning… Part II

Bulawayo Jan 2019

It is bad  that the Zimbabwe African National Union – Patriotic Front (ZANU-PF) since the Stay Away or Shutdown demonstrations has started using methods known by former President Robert Mugabe. All these methods have been seen before, the ZANU-PF has been known for it, but the supposed reforms of the President Mnangagwa is not appearing. Instead, the violence is persisting and the authorities are trying to keep it under-wraps with having a internet blockade and block Social Media. However, some information are coming through and the sinister acts are exposed. 

Today on the 19th January 2018, it has been utter chaos, anarchy and military in the streets. As the civilians have ceased their rights, as the soldiers have put up road-blocks, dispensations of barracks in the metropolitan areas and activists has been arrested. If they been successful in hiding, the authorities has in some respects even taken parents and loved ones of the high ranking activists. This has been reported. As well as rising numbers of people who are being shot, wounded and killed by the authorities. The numbers are rising and hard to verify. However, it is happening and shouldn’t be forgotten in it all.

Some people are claiming the Closeg Fraction, the one run by Gen. Constantino Chiwenga, the Vice-President and former Commander of the Zimbabwe Defence Force (ZDF) before the November 2017 coup d’etat. Now, today, there are speculation that Chiwenga is using the last few days to take more control under the pretext, that the President is away on Foreign Trips. So, that he can posses more power, as the Lacoste and President is away in Eastern Europe and smiling in Davos, Switzerland.

However, that are darkness on the horizon, as people are tortured, arrested and even killed. There are several high ranking leaders arrested within the last 2 days. Like Doug Mahiya (brother of Crisis Coalition of Zimbabwe), Pastor Evan Mawarire (This Flag Movement) and Obert Masaraure the President of the Amalgamated Rural Teachers Union of Zimbabwe (ARTUZ), also unknown whereabouts of President of the Zimbabwe Congress of Trade Unions (ZCTU) Peter Mutasa.

If, President Emmerson Mnangagwa thinks these moves are smart. As the people are suffering, not only the effects of the fuel prices, hyper-inflation and other measures. The rising prices of commodities, the state is clearly in pro-military dictatorship. Where the military has all say, there the civil liberties are taken away and the voices against it is detained. That seems evident by the last few days. That is why the road-blocks, soldiers in the streets and other measures showing that they mean business of it.

This could be a plan from Cosleg. The group of Chiwenga, who wants to prove a point because they know how successful the November 2017 coup d’Etat was. Now they want to overturn and control it even further, even as the state are acting with direct violence and killing civilians. Going house to house, beating people and showing all disregard for their duty to secure the peace, not create the peace for the territory. That is evident of the days after new fuel prices was put forward.

If the ZANU-PF, the President and VP, thinks this is the way to settle the score and make the International Community in lifting sanctions or even trying to get closer in general. As opening the Republic up for business or trust.

This is closing this and ensuring people to not trust the regime nor how they keep within the bounds of the rights for the citizens. That is the evidence, as the innocent citizens are suffering. Also, the public are taken hostage by a military dictatorship, who uses all force against them. Peace.