Maldives: Transparency Maldives – Transparency Maldives condemns the continued Abuse of State Resources during the official campaign period of the 2024 Parliamentary Elections (04.04.2024)

Ghana: Economic Fighters League (EFL) – ANYONE EXCEPT NPP-NDC: Economic Fighters League Unveils Revolutionary Blueprint for 2024 Elections in Ghana (02.04.2024)

Opinion: Lavish Prayers for Peaceful Elections…

MPs on the Legal & Parliamentary Affairs Committee queried the Shs1.119Tn Electoral Commission is seeking to start activities for the 2026 general elections, with some Lawmakers describing the Shs18Bn to be spent on legal fees for private lawyers & about Shs500M to hold national prayers for peaceful elections, as wasteful & exorbitant” (Parliament Watch, 02.04.2024).

The Government of Uganda (GoU) aren’t poor when a government entity or institution can plan a National Prayer costing 500 million shillings. They want to spend a “service award” on a prayer session. That is all for publicity and make belief. It is a way of being in the public and showing good faith.

The Electoral Commission (EC) which is gearing up for the General Elections in 2026. The EC has plenty of things prepare and set-up ahead of the polls. The Commissioners knows what is at stake and their mandate too.

Not that we can believe… or have proper faith in the polls in general. That’s because we know the “winner” years ahead and we know that the NRM will have the majority. This is regardless of the will of the people or who they align too. The Opposition can have whoever on the ballot and that person will never succeed. Therefore, the EC is just another tool used by the President to legitimize himself and his reign.

We can wonder why they want to spend millions on a National Prayer for Peaceful Elections. That in an environment, which has been filled with intimidation and authorities cracking down on dissent. It is like the EC doesn’t see what the law enforcement is up too and acts during the electoral road map. We have seen how the authorities are kidnapping, arresting and detaining opposition leaders, activists and associates during and after elections. Therefore, the prayers for peace are futile, when the system is rigged against just that.

The Electoral Commission won’t change the practices of the security agencies. We know they will crackdown and keep people incommunicado. That’s what they do… the drones will show up and people will go missing. Just because of their activism and their fight for their candidate or party. That is just the way things are going in the Republic…

The whole state apparatus will be used during the elections. There will tension and fear in the air. As the awaiting cooking of results are awaiting. The soldiers in the streets and the LDUs will be surrounding vital areas. They will be all around and we know the social media will be a key thing too. That’s how the state operates and this is the “fake peace” the state offers the public.

This here is wastage of public expenditure. Misuse of office and misuse of resources. The EC shouldn’t use these funds on a prayer. They should use on it something useful, which would build confidence or civic education about the electoral system. However, they rather hire a pastor, church and hold a ceremony to bash in glory in front of God. That’s who they are and its disrespectful and dishonest. Which is a bad start for a prayer.

Living on a prayer in dishonesty and being disingenuous is just a poor taste. While your spending money which isn’t yours doing it. That is just a sight and Lord Almighty, the ones in Power has failed us all. Peace.

Togo: Presidence – Le Président de la République a demandé ce jour à l’Assemblée nationale de faire procéder à une deuxième lecture de la loi adoptée (29.03.2024)

Dokolo By-Election: Is the UPC regaining its old stronghold?

Yesterday was the Dokolo By-Election where the seat of late Cecilia Ogwal was on the line. The seat that had been held by Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) for plenty of terms. It was the for the FDC to lose the Woman Member of Parliament for Dokolo district. However, with that in mind… the FDC could have played things differently, but it didn’t and that’s why they lost.

The three parties that did matter in the race was FDC, NRM and UPC. The Uganda Peoples Congress (UPC) fielded Sarah Aguti, National Resistance Movement (NRM) fielded Janet Adong and Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) fielded Rosemary Alwoc Ogwal. They were the main candidates and the National Unity Platform (NUP) had little to no say in this by-election. That why I am not even commenting much on it.

The Dokolo By-Election was a three way race between NRM-UPC-FDC. They were the three that matters and it showed by the polls. The NRM even with the support of high ranking officials, the state apparatus and people trying to pre-ticket ballots. They still couldn’t beat another party. The President came to promise and galvanize the people, but it didn’t work.

In the land of Lango… the UPC is resurges and it should be a sign of what to come. James Akena can now live on nostalgia of Obote. The people can live on the greatness of the late President and live in the memory of him. That seems to work as well as the promises of elevating the party. This is why the UPC is getting back old territories.

The ones looking around should see this coming. The UPC will gain representatives and positions in the north. The UPC is seemingly becoming a powerful and regional party. Akena is doing this and the UPC are able to mobilize here. The other parties aren’t able to sell the sentiment or the ideals of old, which the UPC is. That’s why the change is coming.

We should be happy that the hereditary politics isn’t winning. We have seen it win in other by-elections. There been other sons who has won elections after MPs has died in office. Therefore, for the FDC it was a safe ticket to field Rosemary, the daughter of Cecilia Ogwal. However, that wasn’t the case here.

Dokolo By-Election was marred with questionable activities and misuse of office. There was signs of rigging, but these was also shut down. That’s why there are always issues and questions remaining after the polls. However, the UPC have shown character and finesse. They are able to use its position and mobilize the public. That shows what they are capable of.

The FDC is toothless, the NUP needs another vibe and way of campaigning, as this way isn’t working. They becoming less relevant and looking mediocre. People are mocking NUP for participating and not getting a thousand votes. Alas, the NUP is in the heartland of the UPC. However, it needs to find ways to be an option and sell a candidate better. If not… it is just wasting time and not building anything substantial.

Dokolo By-Election is now over and the UPC got another MP. Peace.

Dokolo By-Election: Electoral Commission – Return form for Transmission of Results (21.03.2024)

South Sudan: Kiir wants to hold elections without any proper foundation

It is really unique that the SPLM-IG and President Salva Kiir Mayardit is promoting the idea of holding elections without a constitution. This means the elections roadmap and everything that is eligible is current laws, which needs a constitution to be functional. That just shows how the transitional government operates and doesn’t plan to implement what is needed ahead of the polls.

This isn’t a sign of strength in Juba. Instead the J-1 and SPLM-IG has resigned itself from its obligations. The R-ARCSS and all stakeholders in it should be worried. When a party of this magnitude is acting like this. Wanting an election before a constitution and a consensus. That is just to legitimize and legalize the current status quo.

The R-TGoNU and the Transitional National Assembly has failed it’s mission. When they haven’t pushed things forward. The SPLM-IO and the other Opposition Parties should be worried about this. Because this is building a house on sand. There is no rock and solid foundation to build the institution or the government itself. They are just making sure things continues as today.

The same that the election is supposed to only be for the President and the Governors. That is not for the representatives in the National Assembly. Meaning the Transitional National Assembly will be locked and be appointees through negotiations like it has been done till now. That is only making the will of the people to certain offices, but not the whole hierarchy.

If the SPLM-IG thinks this is wise or brilliant. They are wrong, as it is only making a patchwork and not doing things proper. It would be better to take it slow and ensure institutions are prepared ahead of the polls. That the constitutions and government organizations would be prepared and ready with mechanisms to ensure free and fair elections. That’s what the public deserve and the parties involved could all trust the affair too.

Instead it is more decreeing and more single order from the J-1 and not following authorized codes. Not a constitution or a consensus to ensure everything is in order. That’s why there will be questions about the righteousness of the election and if the results will be the will of the people. Because, the exercise could easily be hijacked and taken for granted. The powers to be to use it for their advantage and secure another term to the incumbent.

There haven’t been an election since 2005 or since independence. South Sudan deserve so and needs stability. There is a need for a legit government and not warlords taking power on their own. However, fake peace and a stalemate isn’t creating structures either. There is a need for trust and building bridges. It is a need to ensure stakeholders are all on board and not just the ones in power doing their last bid to take it yet again. If they do that… the worst could happen again and we could guns flair again. No one wants that… and Kiir should know better.

SPLM-IG and Kiir is risking the flaky peace. They are using the interim and transitional period just to buy time. They haven’t used it to finalize the R-ARCSS. The R-TGoNU should have focused on the Constitution, but certainly it haven’t been prioritized after all these years. That’s just tragic man…

President Kiir should be cautious… but this here is a power trip and going backwards into the future. Peace.

South Sudan: Sudan Peoples’ Liberation Movement (SPLM) – National Secretariat – Office of the Secretary General – The SPLM positions towards the National Elections as provided for in the Roadmap (20.03.2024)

Opinion: Putin’s walkover… [and he got now the time to build his “empire”]

This month or days ago in Moscow they announced that Vladimir Putin won the elections with 87% of the votes with a 94% voter turnout. This will make the President happy as his “popularity” remains big and he has the masses on his side.

Alas, there was no other choice anyway. The other politicians that was on the ballot was hand-picked candidates and “opposition” which the regime accepts. The real opposition was either killed in prison like Navalny or like the two candidates [Nadezhdin & Duntsova] blocked from being on the ballot. Therefore, the ones who was on the ballot was someone that the regime didn’t fear or believed would be a challenge for Putin.

This fifth term is a war-term. The war-effort and the goals of the state is to overcome Kyiv. The Kremlin and President wants to conquer and silence Ukraine. It has already taken over two years and the three days war has hurt the pride of the Federation.

This election was to just a show and a forced play. Everyone knew that Putin would win in advance and that the authorities had the script ready. There was no reason to believe otherwise and people would get into trouble if they had acted differently.

Putin can act like he “won” and praise the election. Nevertheless, the man knows it is a fake and made up. There is nothing sincere about the exercise or the polls. It was all prepared and executed to plan. That’s why he can celebrate on the red square with the “opposition” candidates. As they are loyal to his cause.

It isn’t a long time ago that Putin changed the laws so he could prolong his stay in office. Not having to “step-down” and be Prime Minister for a term. That he has already done and been the supreme leader since 2000. That’s who he really is and we can see the writing on the wall.

There is no real change and ability for renewed hope in Russia. Everything is controlled by Putin and his associates. They live in the their “Z” world and plans to extend the rule. If it is envision a new era of a Russian empire and create more wars to regain old Soviet Republics. If that is Ukraine right now. We should worry about Moldova or Georgia for that matter too.

Certainly this election is only to cement and “legitimize” Putin. It isn’t for the will of the people or who they want to serve the Federation. No, that would have made things differently. People are arrested easily for resistance and for standing up for their heroes. That’s why if your not on the right side of the authorities. You will be arrested and spend time behind bars.

That’s how Russia is right now. This is the reign of Putin. His brutal regime and willingness to destroy his enemies. That’s why we know this election was a sham and a side-show. While the government is busy in a war-economy and working on overtime to takeover Ukraine. That’s what they are doing and Kremlin haven’t found the magical wand to destroy Kyiv.

Putin’s bloodshed and war will be the most risky thing he ever did. As it is weakening him and over time cause more inflation in the nation. While he will also lack resources and manpower to continue the war. He will not have endless of soldiers and mercenaries to fight his war. Sooner or later he cannot find enough to push the battlefronts in Ukraine. This is why he needs to look like his “winning” and gaining territories. That’s why celebrated the 10 year takeover of Crimea right after the polls. It was a show made to look like greatness…

Putin wants to be an emperor and bring back the Soviet empire. That’s his goal and it doesn’t even do it covertly anymore. The Kremlin believes they can do it and get away with it. This is why this term will be even worse than the last. He will issue and prolong conflicts. The Russian interference in former Soviet republic will be even more hostile. They will use them and try to find ways to takeaway parts of these nations. Just so the former Soviet Republics are weakened and can be conquered by Russia. That’s the end goal and what Putin wants.

We are seeing this in Ukraine, expect this is Georgia and Moldova. The CSTO nations should be aware and see what Kremlin does. Putin wants this and this election is just reassuring him. It gives him several more years to “finish” his mission. Peace.

Opinion: The PLU isn’t the opposition

It is disappointing to see people regard the Patriotic League of Uganda (PLU) as an opposition. Saying in the General Election of 2026 it is there to become the biggest opposition party. Alas, within the realms of that is a problem. Especially, when we are speaking of the “standby generator” and his ties to the government.

We know the serving army commander, senior advisor to the president and his family affairs. Gen. Muhoozi Kainerubaga by all definitions of himself at this current state – is the state and is government affairs. His not an outsider looking in. Neither is he a challenger or a troublemaker for the status quo. That’s why his allowed to campaign and try to drum up support for his “self-made” and “grass-root” operation that his dwelling with.

We can easily see that the convoys, the ministers, members of parliament and everyone around is seeing this as the second coming of National Resistance Movement (NRM). The PLU is the ugly baby of the NRM. It isn’t any different really and that’s why Muhoozi has poached MPs from the NRM to be a part of the organization. While also trying to get other opposition MPs to join in to make it broad-based, just like his father tried to do at some point.

However, the PLU is the brother of the NRM. They are aligned not only by kin, but by dogma. They are in it for the same thing and no change. Muhoozi won’t revolutionize things and his using the same tricks as the NRM. Ferrying crowds, paying people to attend and giving away T-Shirts. Soon he will have dancers and singers paid to make the rallies more inspiring. Bebe Cool and Gravity or whatnot will be paid to perform. We have seen this gig before.

That’s why the ones saying PLU is there to challenge National Unity Platform (NUP) are still true. They want to make belief that the PLU is a different breed then the NRM. When in reality it is the same thing, but another logo and the son instead of the father. They are just missing the holy ghost to finalize the holy trinity.

Seriously… the attempts to normalize an army commander involved in direct politics is over. That is just another day of the week. It is now okay for the first family to build own parties and spend unknown wealth on prestige projects and act like your the next generational leader. While that is hard to believe, because there is little to no prospects or charisma to sell. Neither is there any new vibe or belief that Muhoozi can bring change. His just one of them and arrogantly thinks his entitled to be crowned “king”.

Well… the PLU will never be opposition. Because they cannot oppose themselves. You cannot fight yourself and who you are. A man cannot be an opposition and be part of the government at the same time. You are either in government or in opposition. When you are a Senior Presidential Advisor and General. Then you are defacto part of government whether you like it or not. Therefore, the PLU cannot be opposition.

Yes, the PLU can take MPs away from the opposition in the General Election, but they will be another sort of yellow brigade. They will not be any difference than the UPDF MPs or such. No, these will just be there and vote on government agenda. We cannot see them act in spite or defiance. No, they will be loyal to the cause and the President.

After all, it is the Son of the President… and the son won’t be a Brutus. Believe that. Peace.