Guyana: The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has condemned reports carried in Venezuelan press regarding the approval of a new resolution approved by the Energy and Petroleum Commission of the Venezuelan National Assembly (19.03.2017)

It has come to the attention of the Government of Guyana through a media report in the Venezuelan publication El Nacional of 15th March 2017 that a resolution of the Energy and Petroleum Commission of the National Assembly of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela entitled ‘Approved Agreement to Reject Oil Operations in the Essequibo’ has called for the immediate cessation of on-going offshore oil exploration and exploitation activities under Guyanese license in the Stabroek concession block well within the maritime Exclusive Economic Zone of Guyana in accordance with international law. So far as the Government of Guyana is aware, the Government of Venezuela has not adopted or otherwise endorsed the resolution, in which case the Government of Guyana would respond as appropriate.

The inflammatory resolution contains serious factual and legal errors. First, it suggests erroneously that the offshore activities in Guyanese waters have “recently” commenced whereas the Stabroek license was awarded in 1999 and exploration commenced the following year in 2000, 17 years ago. Second, it suggests erroneously that Guyana is prohibited from developing its resources in this area because of Article V of the Geneva Agreement of 1966. But nothing whatsoever in the terms of that provision indicates that the parties cannot exercise jurisdiction over their sovereign territories. Otherwise, it would mean that for the past fifty years, Guyana had no right to develop 70% of its territory, and the same applies to Venezuela’s development of the Orinoco region and adjacent maritime area which, like the Essequibo, was the subject of the 1899 Arbitral Award. Needless to say, such an argument is manifestly absurd.

This political posturing comes at an unfortunate time when the UN Secretary-General has appointed Ambassador Dag Nylander as his Personal Representative to provide Guyana and Venezuela a final opportunity to resort to the Good Offices process in order to resolve the controversy arising from Venezuela’s contention that the 1899 Arbitral Award delimiting the land boundary between Guyana and Venezuela is “null and void”. The parties have until the end of 2017 to make significant progress in arriving at a final resolution of the controversy failing which the Secretary-General will refer the matter to the International Court of Justice. Guyana is fully committed to the search for a full and final resolution of the controversy under the Good Offices process in the limited time that remains. Such deliberate provocations and absurd demands that Guyana halt all development activities, especially when for over fifty years Venezuela has intimidated Guyana and obstructed a resolution of the controversy in accordance with international law, only serve to undermine this final opportunity for the parties to once and for all bring an end to this matter by agreement, failing which adjudication will be the only remaining means of settlement.

Guyana remains committed to friendly and neighbourly relations with the Government and people of Venezuela, but it will categorically refuse to surrender any of the sovereign rights to which it is entitled under international law, not least in this, the fifty-first anniversary of its independence from colonial rule, as a new period of prosperity awaits its people.

Ministry of Foreign Affairs
March 17, 2017

Press and Publicity Unit
Ministry of the Presidency

Worrying that many lacks food in Tanzania as the Staple food prices are increasing!

“Ask not what you can do for your country. Ask what’s for lunch.”
Orson Welles

There are worrying signs of higher prices on staple foods, as reports of the added price for Maize and Sorghum. With the likes of Maize that has skyrocketed over the last few months, the same has happen to Sorghum. The Central Government needs to stop the inflation of prices as this is key in the staple and adds strains to many of citizens.

Maize prices per 100 kg was 65,103.5 Tanzanian Shillings in December 2015 and by December 2016 it cost 85,159.8 Tanzanian Shillings. In a years time the prices on maizes has gone up 30 %. That is a worrying sign!

Sorghum prices per 100 kg was 81,638.1 Tanzanian Shillings in December 2015 and by December 2016 it cost 104,545.1 Tanzanian Shillings. In a years time the prices on Sorghum has gone up 28 %. That is not something anyone wants to see.

Just as the prices are rising, the dwindling levels of foods that has no been confirmed by the Minister:

Reports of food shortages were initially denied by top levels of government, but were later accepted. At the end of January 2017, the Minister for Agriculture, Livestock and Fisheries, Dr Charles Tizeba, told parliament that a study conducted by the Ministry, in collaboration with various partners, had found that 55 districts (out of 169 in Tanzania including Zanzibar) were facing food shortages, and

that “35,491 tonnes of food are required for supply between February and April 2017 to combat a shortage facing 1,186,028 people’’ in these districts” Sauti za Wananchi, 2017).

What is more worrying is the stats from the survey done by Sauti za Wananchi:

The key findings are:

Eight in ten households report that their income does not cover their daily needs

Eight in ten households usually keep a stock of food in reserve in case a food shortage

arises

A huge majority of Sauti za Wananchi respondents (78%) report food shortages in

their locations

The price of maize has doubled in the past two years, even accounting for general

price inflation

Seven in ten households worried about running short of food in the past three months

The household food security situation has worsened between September 2016 and

February 2017” (Sauti za Wananchi, 2017).

When you have rising staple food prices, little or no reserves in the homes, as well as lacking income to combat the running prices on food. Set the citizens and the inflation into a devastating spiral that no republic want to go through. The United Republic of Tanzania Government needs to act swift and clear on the important issue and lack of safeguard, as the running expenses and lack of food security that is rising. Not only the prices, but this has all happen in the term of President John Magufuli, who needs to take charge and make sure his citizens can eat and earn enough to have a healthy living. The households needs a revamp and the structure with agriculture and food imports needs to change to significantly, these sort of number and amount of people lacking food is a dire situation. Peace.

Reference:

Tanzania – ‘Sauti za Wananchi – Brief No. 39’ (March 2017)

Opinion: Austin Powers aka BoJo trying to be jolly in Uganda and Kenya!

There is one of these lost stories that deserves to questioned, as the United Kingdom who are toiled in issues on their own continent, with trade and with borders are suddenly sending their Secretary of State Boris Johnson, the former columnist who hasn’t written much of any good about these nations he is visiting. The visit is coming in the same weeks as the Brexit is a hot potato and the United Kingdom needs secure partners for their economic activity.

So the United Kingdom suddenly sending their Secretary of State for Foreign Commonwealth Affairs Johnson to Uganda and Kenya, seems to be more an internal needed boost for the United Kingdom, as they need to know that they have trading partners when the article 50 of the Lisbon Treaty get notified. The negotiations and the unknown agreement with European Unions, leaves lot of trade and transactions in the wind. Therefore, the need to diversify and get new connections is more important.

That UK have a long history on the continent and has done despicable things is well-known, that they have gone in only in the interest of the ones in Oxford Street, London or even business in Belfast over the ones in real need in the Protectorates or Colonies. So the United Kingdom Government have most of the time been more reassuring for the ones on the British Isles over the ones in the colonies. Her Majesties civil servants have served London and than offered a token of goodwill if needed be.

Therefore reading this of the visit seems like to good to be true!

Boris Johnson, the UK Secretary of State for Foreign Commonwealth Affairs, called on me yesterday at State House, Entebbe. Our discussion focused on regional security, especially the situation in Somalia. We also discussed trade and investment between our two countries” (Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, 16.03.2017).

NAIROBI, 17 March 2017 (PSCU) – President Uhuru Kenyatta this evening held talks with UK Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs Secretary Boris Johnson who paid him a courtesy call at State House, Nairobi. President Kenyatta and the British Foreign Secretary discussed promotion of industry and manufacturing. They also exchanged views on the strengthening of trade between Kenya and Britain as well as with the rest of the Commonwealth countries” (Uhuru Kenyatta, 17.03.2017).

First, that Boris Johnson isn’t caring much about the regional troubles, unless it bring work to Birmingham, Swindon or to Yorkshire. If the trade is being done and export from Kenya and Uganda, it is the British Exporters earning the major coins, not the Kenyan producer or the Uganda merchant. The needed tax-base has to be settled in the United Kingdom.

Secondly, the Commonwealth idea is to keep the sphere of the former colonies in a circle where the British and United Kingdom interest get traction and creates development on models where the British manufacturing and technology get traded to them. So that the former colonies get more ideal production from the Leyland and Vauxhall of today. Not buy Fiat or even Tesla. Buy British and serve British values and than if your a good boy, you get British direct aid.

Third, it is connected, but the uncertain future of trade within the European Union, makes the UK so edgy that they have to forge close relationship to make sure they have more open markets to have their bazaar and also sell their repacked tea.

So do I believe he was just visiting in goodwill and care of the Commonwealth nations, no! I do believe he came to be able to have strengthening the markets and get better surplus of funds with the counterparts of Uganda and Kenya. This because he knows that he doesn’t have to dole out much funds or follow heavy institutional policies to get it implemented. Therefore, he traveled here and tried to forge it even more. Peace.

UNDP: Decision on SECU Case No. SECU0002 – On Bidco connection to UN Global Compact (13.03.2017)

Zimbabwe: 2016/2017 Flood Distaster Domestic Appeal for Assistance + Donation list (15.03.2017)

Kenya: Report says that Safaricom is a helpful hand in the breaches of incepting intelligence for the Security Organization!

The international Non-Government Organization Privacy International dropped another gem today with a report on the surveillance and on how the Kenyan Authorities get their ability to get intelligence and how they use the communications platforms to get knowledge. The worrying way is how the Safaricom and the Kenyan Authorities together spies on the population.

This report through different methods and also interviews, as much as people who have worked on the inside has told stories how the Security organization has used the giant Kenyan Telecommunication Company Safaricom. All should be done with court orders, still there are proof now of internal squabble inside Safaricom where there are even undercover agents inside the company. Take a look at key points of the report!

Court order to require Intelligence:

“In practice, if not in law, Kenya’s surveillance regime appears bifurcated. The NIS intercepts both communication content and acquires call data records without warrants to gather intelligence and prevent crime, and police agencies acquire communications data with warrants to prepare criminal cases. If it’s ‘just’ for intelligence, explained one police ATPU investigator, then warrants are not sought: “For the sake of investigations, the DCI [Directorate of Criminal Investigations officer] attached to Safaricom will just give [it to] you… When you take someone to court, you have to make it proper now.” Safaricom stated to PI that they “only provide information as required by courts…and upon receipt of relevant court orders.” (Privacy International, P: 16, 2017).

Internet Providers and NIS:

“One internet service provider recalled the difference between his experiences with the police and with the NIS: “A [police] agency comes to me, and they give me the Occurrence Book (OB) number of the case they are investigating…. The NIS has unfettered access to data.” The NIS simply contacted this operator for the data it required. “They will say ‘give us [data for] whenever X calls Y over this time period’, for example…In instances involving terrorism, no warrants are produced. We have to comply or there is the threat that our licenses [will] be revoked.” A Communications Authority of Kenya (CA) officer confirmed his account: “they’ll get their license revoked [if they do not comply]… If I were them, I’d comply too” (Privacy International, P: 17, 2017).

Safaricom CID Connection:

“The major telecommunications providers have at least one law enforcement liaison, a police officer of the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (CID) on secondment. This analysis focuses on Safaricom, by far Kenya’s most popular mobile service provider with over 60% of the market share. At Safaricom, around ten CID officers sit on one floor of the Safaricom central bloc. They provide information to all police branches” (Privacy International, P: 20, 2017).

“The reported presence of NIS officers undercover in Safaricom and possibly other telecommunication network operators presents serious concerns as to whether any civilian authority or mechanism would be able to effectively oversee the process of communications interception. “The way we know they are here is that they’ll be present, seconded from somewhere else, but then suddenly they’ll disappear,” explained one CA employee. “And then you hear your colleagues saying ‘didn’t you know, that guy was NIS?’ They keep very much to themselves. You’ll even find your boss some time suspecting you of being NIS.” According to sources, by building rapport with civilian officers, NIS are able to informally access communications data. “Of course [the NIS officer in Safaricom] will liaise with the Safaricom engineer… Once there is information that he needs, or that our office needs, he gets in, he talks to the engineer, he is given access,” explained a current NIS officer. “Because in Safaricom, every time you log into the database to check for a certain number, you have to put your code there. … It depends on the rapport he has with the engineers…. They trust him.” (Privacy International, P: 21, 2017).

The use of Safaricom and the surveillance shows the problematic relationship between the government and the private telecom company. That the State Security Agents are not using warrants getting intelligence and private intercepts online shows how little the value of the citizens are. When the government security agents can breach public space without court orders and when they have undercover agents inside the biggest telecom in Kenya, shows how they breach the public sphere to get access and intelligence from the inside. This is a worrying side. Peace.

Reference:

Privacy International – ‘Track, Capture, Kill: Inside Communications Surveillance and Counterterrorism in Kenya’ (15.03.2017)

Red Pepper and the Pepper Publications defaulting on loans!

In the recent few hours more and more rumours of the Red Pepper Newspaper is having financial difficulties. Like they are losing money without having enough earnings, the Red Pepper is supposed to own the sum of 26 billion shillings. Earlier this month Red Pepper already had issues.

Take a look:

“The Pepper Publications recently suspended publication of Hello, Akapapula and Emulalu subsidiary tabloids after majority of staff left the company over accumulated salary arrears. As the publication grapples with collapsing copy sales and dwindling advertisement revenues, Stanbic bank’s action could push the tabloid to the edge of bankruptcy. Sources are telling this website that the Pepper Publications sold its Shs 5bn Crane Bank loan to Stanbic before directors picking an extra Shs 2.5bn for luxury cars. Unfortunately, the tabloid has fallen short of honouring its financial obligations, compelling the bank to take drastic measures” (…) “Failure to pay means The Pepper Publications will have to get another bank to make over the loan. SOURCES said staff at the tabloid is worried about the future of the publication as most of the meager revenues coming in end up in the pockets of directors. “What we are witnessing now is milking a rock. We have gone six months without pay” (Xrated, 2017).

So the Red Pepper has tried to come with much different publication, but without having the funds to facilitate the expansion. Therefore we are seeing a meltdown in funds. So now the banks has lost their patience and now are in big trouble, even Stanbic Bank went further. They even sent debt collectors. Here is the story!

“On Monday morning, a group of debt collectors from Stanbic bank raided Red Pepper offices in Namanve, in an effort to get back their money the tabloid borrowed in to fund their expansion” (…) “Those who were already in tried to flee while those who hadn’t come got phone calls from someone called George, the chief security guard and they decided not to come,” said a source at the newspaper” (…) “Meanwhile, the long serving finance manager Bob Mahebewa threw in the towel on the very day, and he resigned in an effort to avoid future embarrassments. Muhebewa told his close friends that he was scared when he saw Stanbic debt collectors and he knows they must arrest the top five directors unless they pay all the money owed to the bank” (Guide Reporter, 2017).

We can wonder who will buy the Pepper Publication or if the papers and magazines will stop to be published. Pepper Publication and Red Pepper Newspaper needs fresh funds, since the trailing tabloid. Since they need more people buying their paper and read their stories since it seems like the people aren’t picking it up or if the investors has given it up. It is either or. Peace.

Reference:

Guide Reporter – ‘STANBIC BANK DEBT COLLECTORS RAID RED PEPPER OFFICES, DIRECTORS FLEE WHILE FINANCE BOSS RESIGNS’ (14.03.2017) link: http://businessguideafrica.com/stanbic-bank-debt-collectors-raid-red-pepper-offices-directors-flee-while-finance-boss-resigns/

 

Xrated – ‘Stanbic Bank is set to recall a Shs7bn loan given to Red Pepper Publications as the tabloid’s financial woes worsen’ (10.03.2017) link: http://xrated.co.ug/stanbic-bank-is-set-to-recall-a-shs7bn-loan-given-to-red-pepper-publications-as-the-tabloids-financial-woes-worsen/

Opinion: UK has double trouble with N. Ireland and Scotland; they deserve equal treatment like UK gets from the EU!

Well, the United Kingdom government has enough issues with the negotiations with European Union to think about their own fragile Union. United Kingdom is a forged Union between England, Wales, Northern Ireland and Scotland + a few bonus British Isles that couldn’t create much fuzz. However, the Northern Irish and Scottish government main parties are forging possible problems for the United Kingdom. That is proven with the decision of closing the door to the European Union and trying to find out how the relationship with the rest of Europe will be.

Certainly the Tories and the Prime Minister Theresa May would like to have much power as possible and look as brilliant as she can. But she has obstacles on the way and her path was created with the trust put into the system. The fragile Union we’re hold because all parties felt they benefited. If Wales are losing millions of grants from European Union to building roads around Swansea, where will the lost funds come from? That is the sort of issues that Tories and the White Hall have to figure out.

That Theresa May are a conning politician is proven with her way and her track-record, she is reckless and not caring of the price for her glory. Therefore, she couldn’t get elected on the prospect of genuine ballots and with campaigning. She was wise to forge alliance and make sure the Brexiteers we’re part of vital roles in her cabinet after David Cameron stepped down as he took the loss like a gentleman. Still, PM May are more focused on achieving most possible for the Tories benefit, than understanding that the Northern Irish and Scottish initially want another path. That would make the Tories and the United Kingdom less powerful as their own Union would be slimming by the minute. Just take a look at the Scottish question as she put her mind into it as well.

PM May address new Scottish Referendum:

“Theresa May declared Brexit was “not a moment to play politics” today in a rebuff to Nicola Sturgeon’s demands for another Independence referendum during negotiations with the EU” (…) “The Prime Minister said the passing of the Bill authorising departure talks was a “defining moment for our whole country”, making clear she would not allow separate negotiations north of the border” (Murphy & Crerar, 2017).

Second Scottish Referendum:

“Sturgeon said her government’s mandate to call the second poll was “beyond doubt”, and, with the UK set for a hard Brexit, said she had set a timeframe that would allow Scotland the chance to decide on independence before it was “too late to choose a different path in a timely way”. She added that any vote would take place after the UK’s exit negotiations with the EU27 had concluded but before the Brexit process was complete – when uncertainty over Britain’s future will arguably be greatest” (…) “Sturgeon said any attempt by May to withhold permission for Scotland to hold a second vote would be “tantamount to the UK government, having sunk the ship with the Brexit vote, trying to puncture Scotland’s lifeboat as well” (Maguire, 2017).

Scottish Government stance in 2013:

“The advantage of independence is that the people of Scotland will have the sole and final say. We will not be taken out of the EU against our wishes as may turn out to be the case if we are not independent” (…) “ Within the EU there will be important opportunities for future Scottish governments to determine priorities and maximise the benefits of our membership” (…) “The Scottish Government, supported by the overwhelming majority of Members of the Scottish Parliament, believes that membership of the EU is in the best interests of Scotland. It is our policy, therefore, that an independent Scotland continues as a member of the EU” (Scottish Government, 2013).

So if you look at the History the Scottish government and the Holyrood House have been since before the first referendum been clear about the important of independence from rule from London and secondly the value of being a Member State in the European Union. As the Brexit negotiation and the United Kingdom leaving the state of membership, this is clearly not in the minds of the Scottish. They do not want to leave the European Union, but United Kingdom government does not want to relieve them.

The United Kingdom, the White Hall and the English men doesn’t see the Scottish as equal. Still, former Prime Minister David Cameron was a decent guy who gave this as an opportunity in 2012:

“The governments have agreed to promote an Order in Council under Section 30 of the Scotland Act 1998 in the United Kingdom and Scottish Parliaments to allow a single question referendum on Scottish independence to be held before the end of 2014. The Order will put it beyond doubt that the Scottish Parliament can legislate for that referendum. It will then be for the Scottish Government to promote legislation in the Scottish Parliament for a referendum on independence. The governments are agreed that the referendum should meet the highest standards of fairness, transparency and propriety, informed by consultation and independent expert advice” (UK Gov & Scottish Gov, 2012).

So if the United Kingdom government and Scottish government could agree in 2012 for a Scottish referendum and could amend the Scotland Act of 1998 so there was legal framework to support this. But why hasn’t there been anything concrete for the Northern Irish, which has been a tool for Englishmen to control over the Ireland. But that is my understanding of it, and Theresa May continues on that, as Sinn Féin wants now to make sure they are connected together with the Republic of Ireland. Take a look!

Prime Minister Theresa May to Northern Ireland:

“Speaking as she delivered a statement to Parliament on last week’s European Council meeting, Mrs May said: “There are a set of circumstances which the secretary of state for Northern Ireland has looked at this issue, and it is not right to have a border poll at this stage” (…)  “What we should all be focusing on is bringing the parties together to ensure that we can continue to see the devolved administration in Northern Ireland working, as it has done, in the interests of the people of Northern Ireland” (Newsletter, 2017).

North Ireland Referendum:

“Now, Sinn Féin’s new leader, Michelle O’Neill has said that Northern Ireland should hold a referendum on leaving the United Kingdom and joining the Republic of Ireland “as soon as possible” (…) “A referendum on Irish unity has to happen as soon a possible” (Loughnane, 2017). “There is an urgent need for a referendum on Irish unity as the British government has refused to listen to the majority of people in Northern Ireland over Brexit, according to Sinn Féin” (…) “Ms O’Neill said Brexit would be a disaster for the economy and people of Ireland. “To us in Sinn Féin that increases the urgency for the need of a referendum on Irish unity and that needs to happen as soon as possible” (O’Brian, 2017).

So when you see the pattern you see how the Tories says that Northern Irish and Scottish Government shouldn’t play government or play on their wish of what could be in their best interest, since White Hall and Tories knows better. Even as the Brexiteers and Tories negotiations haven’t started, how the Brexit will end is still uncertain. Therefore, there is little evident that the Central Government in London can deliver to Edinburgh or Belfast. They could just secure their own interest, why should the Northern Irish or Scottish perspective get much traction when the Prime Minister already claims their will is not important now!

The Tories government could have understood their wish and given them a chance, but instead the London acts superior and as royals inside the Union. They are doing what they have claimed the Brussels European Commission has done to them. That is the acts of Theresa May is what the United Kingdom and His Majesties Government (HM Gov.) said about the European Union and their bureaucracies. So that London should be careful to address the Scottish National Party and Sinn Féin are righteous in their will and opinion.

That the Scottish government want a new referendum is understandable if the same government that we’re adamant and clear in their will of being a Member State in 2012; would not change their opinion in such short time. That the Northern Ireland wants to be secure that they have soft borders and has a genuine relationship with rest of Ireland and Dublin. That shouldn’t be seen as strange, it is shorter road to Dublin than to London.

If the Tories government think they can override Belfast and Edinburgh, than they are doing the same as the Brexiteers have claimed all along the Brussels did to London. It is time for the Tories to wake up and smell the coffee.  They have to either decide if they want it black, or with milk or even sugar. Tories want it all in the bag and have the biggest trade-off with the European Union, but if they lose the Scottish and Northern Irish.

So the London government should offer a token and give them a timeline and let them have polls inside the parliaments in the other states that are part of the Union. Since the United Kingdom was allowed to discontinue the Member State status within the European Union, so the Northern Ireland and Scotland should be able to if they want to leave London alone. Peace.

Reference:

Loughnane, Alan – ‘Sinn Féin call for referendum on Northern Ireland leaving the UK’ (14.03.2017) link: https://www.joe.ie/news/sinn-fein-call-referendum-northern-ireland-leaving-uk-581421

Maguire, Patrick – ‘Nicola Sturgeon calls second Scottish independence referendum’ (13.03.2017) link: http://www.newstatesman.com/politics/uk/2017/03/nicola-sturgeon-calls-second-scottish-independence-referendum

Murphy, Joe & Crerar, Pippa – ‘Brexit ‘not a time to play politics’ says Theresa May in clash with SNP over Scottish independence vote’ (14.03.2017) link: http://www.standard.co.uk/news/politics/may-clashes-with-snp-over-call-for-new-scottish-independence-vote-a3489266.html

Newsletter – ‘May tells Sinn Fein not right time for border poll’ (14.03.2017)  Link: http://www.newsletter.co.uk/news/may-tells-sinn-fein-not-right-time-for-border-poll-1-7866494

O’Brian, Tim – ‘Pressing need for vote on Irish unity, says Sinn Féin’ (13.03.2017) link: http://www.irishtimes.com/news/ireland/irish-news/pressing-need-for-vote-on-irish-unity-says-sinn-f%C3%A9in-1.3009166

Scottish Government – ‘Scotland’s Future – Your Guide to an Independent Scotland’ (November 2013)

United Kingdom Government and Scottish Government – ‘Agreement – between the United Kingdom Government and the Scottish Government on a referendum on independence for Scotland’ (15.10.2012)

Kenya: Re: Clarification on Disbursements to the County Government of Mombasa (13.03.2017)

Kenya: Return to Work Formula (RTWF) – Agreement between the GoK and KMPDU (14.03.2017)