Opinion: Magufuli should look at Acacia before he throws shade at Museveni!

President John Pombe Magufuli has advised President Museveni to sacrifice part of the 185m USD tax bill charged by the URA to conclude plans for the construction of the crude oil pipeline and begin the project forthwith in order to create jobs” (NTV Uganda, 07.09.2019).

Today, is yet another day of hypocrisy. It is not new, but just another story like that. As the Tanzanian President Magufuli is right that Uganda Revenue Authority and their winning of a Court Case, which entails a tax-dispute between Tullow Oil has suspended the development of the pipeline and the drilling in parts of the Lake Albert Basin. As the farm-down agreement between three parties, Tullow, Total and CNOOC is on-hold.

That is where the Tanzanian President is right. Period. However, he is wrong in a whole other sense. Should President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni tell his counter-part, that he should mind his own business? Yes, actually. Because, in this manner. The Tanzanian one is doing the same battle with anther extraction industry. The mining industry, the Acacia Mining tax scandal. Where the the company has to back-pay the government.

This the Tanzanian counterparts slapped on the company by in 2017. The same sort of settlement the Ugandan did with Tullow in 2015, as the Republic wanted back-taxes for the investments done in the territory. That is why Magufuli shouldn’t whine about this.

Surely, we know Magufuli wanted the man-power, the taxing rate of the movement of goods through his United Republic and secure the usage of Tanga Port. Museveni knows this, but he wants the tax for the operations done by both Heritage and Tullow. That is trying to ditch the back-pay on other companies whose buying their stake in the Lake Albert Basin.

Therefore, with the knowledge of the Acacia scandal, that is still going on to this day. Magufuli wanted back-pay for lack of taxes from the mining industry. Which is righteous, just like Museveni does at his place. The Tullow has now used years from 2015 to 2019. Acacia has now used 2017 to 2019. In 2018, the ownership of Acacia said it looked forward to negotiations with the government. This year in February, the company still have no resolution to the back-pay of taxes. That means the government of Magufuli have not fixed the same issue. 

Just like the Ugandans haven’t fixed the farm-down and back-pay of operational taxes. Because, the company trying to configure itself out of taxes. Surely, Tanzania see the same acts by their mining industry. But in this regard, Magufuli wants to earn a dime on the oil exploitation in the Lake Albert Basin.

So, before the Tanzanian get it fixed with Acacia or Barrick in their own dominion. They should give time for Ugandans to fix their own tax dispute. They have even won it in an International Court. Therefore, the Ugandan case is stronger, than the one of Acacia. Whose only internally disputed.

That is why, this isn’t the faults of Uganda Revenue Authority, but of Tullow, whose trying to deflect the payment of taxes in the Republic. Something, Magufuli wouldn’t allow anyone operating in his territory. If so, why this hustle against Acacia and still not stopping it?

Because, Magufuli want the taxes and the proper payment for doing business in the United Republic. Just like Museveni want the proper payment for doing business in the Republic.

So, please Joseph, get your own domain straight, before throwing other people under the bus. Maybe, once in the while accept criticism. That might given your argument a more flair and less selfish reasons for addressing a neighbour and an ally. Peace.

Brexit: Lord Teverson letter to Secretary Villers MP – Defra ‘no-deal’ Brexit preparation (04.09.2019)

 

A Breakdown: Oil exploitation, which is so taxing…

 

The deal that broke down these days…

In the Republic now its official that the companies that was supposed to buy the stake and the licences to drill for oil from Tullow Oil have backed out. This means, that Total and CNOOC is not operating or willing to foot-the-bill that Tullow left behind.

This is all a play for guards, they all want the slice of the price, but don’t want to be taxed for it. They want tax-holidays for operating and extracting the oil, even as the incentives to build the oil pipeline to Tanga, Tanzania is put on hold. Since a big part of the Lake Albert Basin is still in question. Since, the Tullow Oil doesn’t want to deal with the taxes in question.

Tullow Oil have to back-pay taxes, which it lost in court. They are obliged to pay these, but want the other companies to foot-the-bill, since they will drill and exploit situation. The others gather that this has occurred before they did and that Tullow should pay it. That is why it’s a dead-lock. Because, none of the companies want to pay the taxes.

This is the infamous taxes, which led to the Presidential Handshake drama and wobbling defence of it. That made all the people and civil servants dance for a hot minute. Now, we are seeing the deadlock because of this one.

The state is allowed and should tax the ones whose operating in their territory. Without a question or without any hesitation. Because, they should be able to pay for your rights to be able to do business somewhere. However, here it’s a mismatch of the amounts gained in courts and the planned surrender of Tullow.

Tullow considered that their Farm-Down deal with Total and CNOOC would clear their old debts with the Republic. Instead, the other companies want its shares, but not its past invoices. Which is natural. Because, your paying for other peoples misfortune and cost of operating. That is simple math.

It is Tullow that has done business, who has been operating and whose been in charge of certain parts of Lake Albert Basin. They got to stay responsible. Now, they just looking like a shell-company wanting to be a tax-evasion corporation, who puts their costs on their trading partners.

Within that reason, its understandable that Total and CNOOC wants to have other options and other obligations, also pay their taxes and returns, if they start to drill on the licences previously kept by Tullow. But at this moment, the company think it can get the hook and crook.

Because the victory of the President Handshake isn’t a bargain, but a huge toll for the company. That is why it wish to push the envelope to someone else. This is not natural, but not without a consequence. That they are backing out and giving way. Instead of going into business on these sectors of Lake Albert.

The loss, is also the proposed earnings, the supposed development of the oil sector and the pipeline to Tanzania. As everything stops and shuts its operations. As the CNOOC is sacking employees and who knows what Total does too. Tullow might even do it too, until they find someone who wants to pay their bills. Because, from history they showing that they don’t want too.

The state one, what was theirs, but the companies doesn’t want to pay to play. They want tax-holidays and a free ride to the promised land. That doesn’t happen and therefore, the stalemate and yet another set-back for the oil development there. Peace.

European Commission: Brexit ‘no-deal’ prepardness: Final Commission call to all EU citizens and businesses to prepare for the UK’s withdrawal on 31 October 2019 (04.09.2019)

Opinion: Boris lost the Parliament yesterday and he might loose more tonight!

We have heard arguments about the importance of limiting these emergency debates. My right hon. Friend the Leader of the House is very good at keeping a straight face when he is coming out with arguments that are almost incredible. The benefits of trading solely within the WTO I will leave on one side. I am sure the North Koreans thrive under that in every conceivable way. [Laughter] I think it is only the North Koreans, the Algerians and perhaps the Serbians who do that. When the Leader of the House says how important it is that this House defends its traditions by making sure that in no circumstances can it ever debate business of its own choice, even in an emergency—and I know that he is a profound parliamentarian and deeply committed to the wellbeing of this place—his ability to keep a straight face is quite remarkable. However, I am being deflected from the serious point I was making” – Kenneth Clarke, Conservative MP of Rushcliff, Hansard, 03.09.2019)

If Dominic Cummings and Boris Johnson was smart, they would surrender their smokescreen. Their play of the guards is shown now. That the deselect or took away the Whip for the 21 rebels after the voting on the motion yesterday. Just shows how lack of finesse and understanding of the Parliament is.

That is not weird considering the same fellows finds it’s a good idea to suspend the Parliament for 5 weeks and give no time to look into the final matter before withdrawing from the European Union (EU).

Johnson has had the ability to go from having a majority in Parliament to be an undertake today. His gone from +1 to about -40 MPs. This before the voting tonight on the actual bill, which will take away powers from the Prime Minister and his closest associates.

Surely, they have done what they can do, but with their actions yesterday of deselecting several of rebel MPs. It is more likely that the motion turned into a bill will be voted through today in House of Commons. There is less allies and Johnson is a minority PM. He is living on bought time. Even if he calls for an elections, the MPs might vote against him. Because, the Opposition see it is being done on a gamble and a gambit, but not in the intentions of an actual principal representation in Parliament.

We can anticipate a further hurdle today, where the Tories will gobsmack and come out of left-field. Where they have crazy amendments and suggestions, as if it will change anything. To hopefully delay the vote. Because Johnson wants to reign supreme, even when his surrounding is otherwise. If he believed in the Parliament, he would done procedure of usual 5 days suspension, but not 5 weeks. In the midst of the Brexit crisis.

That the Tories acted they way they did, they have also lost 21 more MPs combined with the one that resigned yesterday too. This means, that Johnson will go into today with less support and lesser structure around him. As he tries to get his deal. If more Tories rebel tonight, will the deselection continue and will they loose their whip?

Because, that seems likely, since the Party did it in spite. The leadership now has rebelled countless of times, but not accept rebels. Which is a rare combo. They expect loyalty, but has given no reason for why it should be given.

Unfortunately, a section of my party has become hijacked by a narrow sector of those who voted to leave, and who are simply using the will of the people as an instrument of potential tyranny against any of those who disagree with them. That is clear to me from the stream of emails that I routinely receive. I am afraid that it has now been fuelled by the words of the Prime Minister, and, indeed—I regret to have to say this, but I will—by the words of the Leader of the House today. It was fascinating to listen to the Leader of the House. I had always imagined that he had marketed himself in politics as an individual who formed part of the grandest tradition of old-fashioned Conservatism, so I was rather surprised when I heard him say that one of his objections to why the House should do its duty was that it would interfere with the great set pieces that followed a state opening of Parliament. Of course, as a Conservative, I love the great set pieces of our constitution, but I do not think that, at a time of national emergency, my constituents in Beaconsfield would have much regard for me if I said that those great set pieces must come before my doing my duty” (Dominic Grieve, Conservative MP of Beaconsfield, 03.09.2019).

Tonight will be bloody too. Don’t expect anything else. However, don’t expect Boris to win. He lost his first vote and it will not be his last. Peace.

Brexit: Statement from Labour MPs for a Deal (03.09.2019)

Brexit: Trades Unions Congress General Secretary Frances O’Grady letter to MPs (03.09.2019)

Brexit: House of Commons – European Union (Withdrawal): Motion Submitted Under Standing Order No. 24 (03.09.2019)

Brexit: Boris Johnson’s bewildered speech in midst of uncertainty…

Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s speech on the 2nd September 2019 has shown in little or no time. He has dug himself a grave he cannot dig himself out of. The PM is trying to fix an issue he himself has created with his helper Dominic Cummings. The Tories and the Cabinet with the deselection process and the suspension of Parliament. Still has a brief moment of normalcy this week before the suspension is in full effect.

Therefore, the MPs and the rebels have already written a well-written law to vote over, the European Union (Withdrawal) Bill No. 6, which will destroy the “no-deal” hegemony of the PM. Even as the problematic situations are prolonging and the uncertain remains. Because, not like the stormy water is over and the sea is calm.

The PM has created a lot, before I continue on that. Let me show his most blatant comments today:

While leaving due time to debate brexit and other matters. And as we come to that brexit deadline I am encouraged by the progress we are making. In the last few weeks the chances of a deal have been rising, I believe, for three reasons. They can see that we want a deal” (Boris Johnson, 02.09.2019).

I want everybody to know – there are no circumstances in which I will ask Brussels to delay. We are leaving on 31 October, no ifs or buts. We will not accept any attempt to go back on our promises or scrub that referendum Armed and fortified with that conviction I believe we will get a deal at that crucial summit in October A deal that parliament will certainly be able to scrutinise And in the meantime let our negotiators get on with their work Without that sword of Damocles over their necks And without an election, which I don’t want and you don’t want” (Boris Johnson, 02.09.2019).

The Prime Minister is living in his own Narnia, Wakanda or in Middle-Earth. Because, he thinks he can sell a deal this late, even when he just have mere days and the previous deal was voted down three times in Parliament. He must really have some special goggles or ultra-vision that is only available at Eton.

Secondly, the Prime Minister, if he thinks he will not get a another expansion or delay. Than he can forget to anything else, than what May and her team gathered. Which wasn’t much, but is what they was able to do. PM Johnson isn’t a wizard, not of Oz or of Hogwarts. But just another prick at the throne. Who think his vision can change it all, because his entitled to it.

Third, why do I say all that, well, if Theresa May and her Faulty Towers Cabinet couldn’t manage it within the two year deadline to fix a good deal. How will the now suspending, self-imploding and minority based Prime Minister be able to pull off a grand deal in the midst a open dumpster-fire and cluster-fuck at home?

My last point. We all know why PM Johnson doesn’t want a snap election now. The last time the Tories did that, they got weakened and had to work with the DUP to have majority. If he does it now, he will risk not only his “majority”, but also the possibility to govern. What could also happen is that the MPs wouldn’t allow it in Parliament, as he needs 2/3 or their votes and it would be risky to call it out now. Now that his popularity is so low. Because of his in-action and his care for democracy as whole.

Therefore, there is little or nothing his statement did today. Other than reflect a mind of dreamer, a hopeless naive Brexiteer narrative, which would only have worked in the twisted mind of Farage. Well, maybe only there, but not in the rest of the world. Not in Birmingham, Ballymena, Bangor or in Brechin. Peace.

Opinion: ZANU-PF is playing it out wrong in concern with the sanctions…

Well, it is about that time. I am tired of reading the propaganda peddled against the sanctions in the Republic of Zimbabwe. That is a continuation of the ones put on the regime of Robert Mugabe and prolonged under the new dispensation of President Emmerson Mnangagwa. Both of them are acting the same way, but thinks that the West and the donor nations will look the other way.

Just as the ZANU-PF using the same methods of silencing opposition, arresting civil society leaders, creating more harder laws for gatherings and also crippling the economy on their own. While the President and his elite is living lavish on the public’s dime. Hoping someone else will cover the bills for the procurement of needed food, supplies and also running the government in general.

I am first showing the reason why the US is having sanctions, than the EU before why the SADC want it away. Before I settle it briefly after. Because to be repetitive is boring, even in 2019.

US OFAC:

The Zimbabwe sanctions program implemented by the Office of Foreign Assets Control (“OFAC”) began on March 7, 2003, when the President issued Executive Order (“E.O.”) 13288. E.O. 13288 imposed sanctions against specifically identified individuals and entities in Zimbabwe, as a result of the actions and policies of certain members of the Government of Zimbabwe and other persons undermining democratic institutions or processes in Zimbabwe. Following E.O. 13288, in response to the continued undermining of democratic institutions, the President issued two subsequent Executive orders that expanded the list of sanctions targets to include immediate family members of any person whose property and interests in property are blocked as well as those persons providing assistance to any such individual” (OFAC – ‘ZIMBABWE SANCTIONS PROGRAM’18.12.2013).

EU Statement:

The EU is not imposing economic or trade sanctions against Zimbabwe. The EU shares the opinion expressed by a number of international organisations whereby the main cause of the serious social and economic crisis which Zimbabwe is experiencing should be sought in inappropriate economic policies, the manner in which the land reform has been carried out, the drought and the HIV/AIDS pandemic;” (…) “the measures adopted by the EU, as a result of the break down of the rule of law and human rights abuses, are the freezing of personal assets of senior members of government and other high-ranking officials, the prevention of the same to travel to EU Member States and the embargo on the sale of arms. None of these measures could affect or cause any hardship to the Zimbabwean population” (EU – ‘POSITION OF THE EUROPEAN UNION ON SANCTIONS AGAINST ZIMBABWE’ August 2019).

SADC Communique:

Summit noted the adverse impact on the economy of Zimbabwe and the region at large, of prolonged economic sanctions imposed on Zimbabwe, and expressed solidarity with Zimbabwe,and called for the immediate lifting of the sanctions to facilitate socio-economic recovery in the country” (SADC – ‘COMMUNIQUE OF THE 39THSADC SUMMIT OF HEADS OF STATE AND GOVERNMENT JULIUS NYERERE INTERNATIONAL CONVENTION CENTRE DAR ES SALAAM, UNITED REPUBLIC OF TANZANIA – 17 August – 18 August 2019).

You can easily see why the US and EU continues and prolongs it. As the New Dispensation and the new head of state is acting as much as the previous ones. There is no change and the inflation is also spiralling out of control too. But that is the fault of either the sanctions, MDC or anyone putting negative connotations towards the ZANU-PF. That is the reason for all the trouble.

Not that the ones that ruling the Republic is continuing to do what the predecessor was doing. These actions that ensured that the West put sanctions on Zimbabwe in the first place. This are not even for the economic or financial implosion, but targeted at the leadership and the elites who are going against the public. The ones that is violating the public, human rights violations and the bad-track record, which is very familiar way of ZANU-PF.

So, if the ZANU-PF and their handlers claim the sanctions are hitting the economy. It hits the economy of the elites and not the public. It is the ones whose in-charge of the lack of rule of law and also the ones who are doing the human rights violations. Therefore, it is a lie that the EU and US sanctions are going to the whole system.

What the SADC and ZANU-PF want is to free their liabilities, the persons sanctioned and their companies. Not freeing the economy or stopping the hardship of the people, if they wanted that directly. Than they wouldn’t have given the EU and US a reason to sanction the leadership of ZANU-PF in the first place and repeating the same actions. Peace.