Kamplootholo: The ICJ orders the Government of Uganda to pay US$325m to the DRC!

The International Court of Justice has today awarded the Democratic Republic of Congo damages for the warfare, looting and destruction of which the Uganda People’s Defence Force did between 1998 and 2003. This was done on behest of the State House and the high ranking officials of the National Resistance Movement (NRM). Many who is living lavish in Kampala and earned fortunes of the war. They are now footing the bill on the state and the taxpayers who has pay for their looting of the DRC.

The ICJ have really hit a major blow the Government of Uganda and the armed conspirators of Kampala. As they are now held accountable for the conflict and has to pay cost or damages to the DRC. As there is evidence and proof of the looting of in the Ituri province in this period. It also shows how it was killing and adding other sufferings to the region as well.

Therefore, the NRM and UPDF have far from a clean slate. The judgement is proving that the sins of the past is starting to haunt the current regime. As their record is delivered. Now, it isn’t going after the henchmen, but now targeting the whole state. This means everyone involved and the whole government have to answer for this. Which shows the ramification of the army commanders, the NRA elites and everyone else should answer for this. Since it is now targeted on every single soul of the Republic. This should be on the heads, the generals and everyone who used the warfare for personal gains, which we know is people associated with President and even some relatives. Therefore, Museveni and allies should pay-up and cough up the funds. Though we know the bill will eventually be paid by others, as it is deemed the state tab and not the persons in question who did the deeds.

Just take a look:

The total amount of compensation awarded to the DRC is US$325,000,000. This global sum includes US$225,000,000 for damage to persons, US$40,000,000 for damage to property, and US$60,000,000 for damage related to natural resources. The Court states that the total sum is to be paid in annual instalments of US$65,000,000, due on 1 September of each year, from 2022 to 2026. The Court decides that, should payment be delayed, post-judgment interest at an annual rate of 6 per cent on each instalment will accrue on any overdue amount from the day which follows the day on which the instalment was due. The Court declares itself satisfied that the total sum awarded, and the terms of payment, remain within the capacity of Uganda to pay. Therefore, the Court finds that it need not consider the question whether, in determining the amount of compensation, account should be taken of the financial burden imposed on the responsible State, given its economic condition (see above). The Court notes that the reparation awarded to the DRC for damage to persons and to property reflects the harm suffered by individuals and communities as a result of Uganda’s breach of its international obligations. In this regard, the Court takes full cognizance of, and welcomes, the undertaking given by the Agent of the DRC during the oral proceedings regarding the fund that has been established by the Government of the DRC, according to which the compensation to be paid by Uganda will be fairly and effectively distributed to victims of the harm, under the supervision of organs whose members include representatives of victims and civil society and whose operation is supported by international experts. In distributing the sums awarded, the fund is encouraged to consider also the possibility of adopting measures for the benefit of the affected communities as a whole” (International Court of Justice – ‘Armed Activities on the Territory of the Congo (Democratic Republic of the Congo v. Uganda)’ 09.02.2022).

This here is a signal and it sends a message. Yes, this isn’t directly punishing or charging the ones culpable or involved in the conflict. No, this is charging the whole republic and adding a huge blow to the finances of the Government of Uganda. The elites of Kampala who earned fortunes on the war should feel the blow and the wind in their direction. As this is stating the illegal war and what it did was wrong, which was a reason for this damage or costs. The 325 million US Dollars in damages cannot be taken under the rug.

Yes, we know the GoU is building some roads inside the DRC, but that will clearly not clear the slate or the tab of the state. Secondly, the Ugandan government is now in debt to Kinshasa and it has to be responsible. If the state doesn’t follow the court orders and such. The DRC and ICJ will challenge it yet again. This is really telling and the victims of the DRC is now vindicated. As it is proof and proper evidence of the war-crimes committed by Ugandan counterparts. Peace.

Malawi: Malawi Human Rights Commission – Statement on the Composition of the Cabinet (28.01.2022)

Malawi: Consumers Association of Malawi – Consumers Association of Malawi Statement on the New Cabinet by the State President (28.01.2022)

Opinion: The Budget for the FY 2022/23 lacks 2,6 Trillion shillings!

We know that the state during the recent years have been running on deficit financing. This means it takes up loans to pay up for new loans to pay recurring expenditures. The state follows up this negative spiral of lacking of funds to ask for more expenditure than it has funding for. This means, the state is fiscally indisciplined and misusing funds, as they have to later find sources of revenue or take up more loans to fulfil the voted expenditure it has.

That isn’t a sign of a growing economy, but a way to further more loans and add more debt, which has to be paid back with interests in the coming years. As the parts of the government budgets are becoming more expensive, as the state has to fulfil and repay on the debts it has already taken out over the years.

The Minority Report states this:
“The government contradicted itself when it indicated that there would be limited supplementary budgets in FY2022/23 but at the same time elaborately articulate unfunded priorities or additional expenditure needs of UGX 2.62 trillion. Unfortunately, the majority report is silent on this fiscal indiscipline. The indiscipline of supplementary budgets is bound to continue and government hos sent indications that a minimum of UGX 2.62 trillion will be sought in due course” (A MINORITY REPORT ON THE NATIONAL BUDGET FRAMEWORK PAPER FOR FY 2022/23 -2025/26, January 2022).

This here should create headlines, because this is planning to take out loans to cover the current debt, which this will be. Since the state needs borrow or take up loans to cover these expenses. This just show how reckless the state is carrying it’s budgets.

As it can create 2.6 trillion shillings without having any sort of funds or revenue to ensure it. Which means someone else has to foot the bills currently. A creditor will take the debt and make sure the state can pay for the expenses. However, the future citizens has to repay for this and that is fiscal indiscipline and deficit financing. As the deficit needs financing and the shortfall has to be covered, which tends to be covered by debt.

This is unserious of the government and a sign of worry. As they are doing this on the first budget for the financial year and we can know additional supplementary budgets will most likely become bigger than two trillion shillings. We should expect more and the shortfalls might become worse, as all revenue isn’t recovered or the estimated tax-base isn’t as huge as earlier estimates and therefore the state couldn’t perform or have fresh funds to pay for the reoccurring expenses. Peace.

RDC: Collectif de Deputes Nationaux de 26 Provinces (C26) – Communique de Presse No. 001 (27.01.2022)

Ghana: Economic Fighters League (EFL) – Abolish the Momo Tax! On the continuing Momo Tax Debacle (20.01.2022)

Bank of Namibia: Response to Global Finance Central Bankers’ Report (17.01.2022)

Wang Yi Refutes So-Called “Debt Trap” in China-Africa Cooperation (07.01.2022)

Wang Yi stressed, China-Africa cooperation is South-South cooperation and mutual support and assistance between developing countries.

BEIJING, China, January 7, 2022 – On January 6, 2022 local time, State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi and Kenyan Cabinet Secretary for Foreign Affairs Raychelle Awuor Omamo jointly met the press in Mombasa. Wang Yi refuted the allegation that China’s cooperation with Africa has created a “debt trap”.

Wang Yi stressed, China-Africa cooperation is South-South cooperation and mutual support and assistance between developing countries. In conducting cooperation with Africa, China has never attached any political strings or imposed anything on others. All China-Kenya cooperation projects have been scientifically planned and appraised in detail, bringing benefits to the Kenyan people and boosting Kenya’s national development and revitalization. Eighty percent of Kenya’s foreign debt is owed by multilateral financial institutions, and its debt to China is mainly concessional loans.

Wang Yi emphasized, the so-called “debt trap” in Africa is not a fact, but a malicious hype-up by some people. It is an “utterance trap” created by those forces that do not want to see Africa speed up development. If there is any “trap” in Africa, it is the “poverty trap” and the “underdevelopment trap”, which Africa should get rid of as soon as possible. China is ready to work with all friendly countries to help African countries speed up post-pandemic recovery, eliminate poverty and underdevelopment, catch up with the times as soon as possible, achieve common development and create a better future.

Opinion: Is Zitto eyeing Shaka or Msigwa’s Office?

In the recent days there has been something weird about Zitto Kabwe, the party leader of Alliance for Change and Transparency (ACT-Wazalendo). Who has been extremely defensive and standing his ground for the wrong utterings of President Samia Suluhu Hassan, as she deliberately or by mistake uttered some wrong figures in the New Years Eve Address.

If this had been the Chama Cha Mapundzi (CCM) party’s Ideology and Publicity Secretary, Shaka Hamdu Shaka. That would have made sense. It is Shaka’s role to make the President look smart and defend her craft. It is the work of the ruling party and the appointed leaders in the Ministry of Finance or the Bank of Tanzania to address the misgivings of the President. You wouldn’t think a critic, an opposition and a supposed rival would defend her. However, Zitto did and he has done to a T.

Kabwe have even used the moral argument and the discussion technique of making it smaller than it is. While also implying that this mistake isn’t important or that vital to begin with. As it doesn’t matter, if the countries foreign exchange is in the millions or the billions. It doesn’t matter if the government spending in the billions or the trillions. That is just a typo… that just how to make a mockery of an attempt to hold the Executive and the Head of State accountable. As she should deliver true numbers and figures. Everyone cannot fact-check and see if the figures are right in a report. That is the gist of it.

I would have also understood this reasoning coming from Director of Information Services and Chief Government Spokesperson of Tanzania, Gerson Msigwa. Who would also defend the CCM and the President. His role and job is to praise works of the government and it’s entities. Just lkike Shaka does as a party official. Alas, both of these gentlemen does what Zitto just did the last few days of the new year.

Maybe it’s tiring to be on the barricades of the opposition in Tanzania. Anyone can oppose and be as blunt as Freeman Mbowe or Tundu Lissu. Someone has to be more gentle and read the room. Maybe that’s the role of Kabwe now. His the gentle spirit and the friendly fire fellow. Who only wants to speak of bigger things like unemployment, poverty and other matters. Since, showing or talking about wrong figures doesn’t matter. Seriously, how can you be this daft?

If you allow without correction things like these. Then your short-sighted defences will backfire, as you have become a crony and a man seeking for office. Instead of actually trying to show yourself to be different from the current regime. There will be no difference with Kabwe or President Hassan. It will be more of the same and nothing ever changes. Just a continuation of CCM and with a ACT Wazalendo banner instead.

I don’t get why Zitto does this and to what gains? To prove that he will defend the government and it’s President? But at what cost and to what extent? Is this how he works as opposition or has he lost the plot? Is it too much pressure and it’s better to become compromised? What gives? I just wonder… because this is weak tea and smells awful.

He better come correct. Because, saying millions and billions doesn’t matter… and is just a typo. Is just a breathtakingly stupid assessment. As his giving way to much credit and the authorities should have come to the aid of the President. If the two gentlemen who his sounding alike these days. That’s what I am getting from this.

So, when are you getting appointed and when is Msigwa or Shaka getting fired? Peace.

Opinion: So Hon. Msukwa was willing to destroy his whole career over a vehicle?

The Malawian Minister for Lands Kezzie Msukwa is charged with receiving bribes by the Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB), which entails the Minister got Kwacha 4 million to help businessman Zuneth Sattar acquire some land in Salima District.

We are now seeing the Sattar Papers are leaking how the businessman and his associates have used their businesses and companies in Malawi. As they have used this to influence and get direct deals with the government. This here case is that Sattar got land easily and the Minister to vouch for him.

Msukwa was willing to risk his career and livelihood over a 4 million kwacha bribe, which was covering his duty on his service vehicle. That is tragic… and foolish that a vehicle or a car, which is given by the state to the minister is the reason for his downfall.

The Minister and MP is so greedy that he hoped someone could cover his expenses on the service vehicle. This case alone isn’t only implicating Satter, but there is warrants out for his associate Ashok Nair, formally known as Ashok Kumar Sreedharan. Ashok Nair participated in corrupt practices in some land matters in Salima and Lilongwe Districts, as his also been involved in giving bribes to various Malawi Government Departments on behalf of Sattar. Therefore, this implies that Nair could be the one who paid the Minister off and covered his duties on his vehicle.

That is really rich and shows that with influence doesn’t always comes street-smartness, as the MP and Minister could have secured the funds and easily paid-off this duty. However, in a flash and quick fix, he would get the payment and the kickback from Nair on behalf of Satter. Just so the businessman could acquire some land.

Just imagine that paying duty or VAT on a car is the possible ending of your career. You have finally reached the goal of becoming a minister after being MP. You have gotten an honourable position and seen viable by the President. Chakwera has vouched for you and thought you could run a ministry. However, that wasn’t enough for you… so some business had to cover your taxes as well. That says it all. It is not funny that four wheel-drive and a paid car by the state is bringing someone down, but this a car-crash and misuse of power.

Msukwa has clearly fallen and the ACB will go after him. Just like they are encircling Satter and associates. He is the “Political Exposed Person” who is connected with the corrupt behaviour of Nair and Satter. That is sad ending, but a choice the Minister deemed fit. He saw easy money and a gravy train. However, that vehicle is the reason why he won’t go far. Peace