Opinion: The heroes of North Korea (DPRK) [are the ones who dared to vote the opposition]

Reporting on the results of Sunday’s election for deputies to regional people’s assemblies, the North’s state media said 0.09 percent and 0.13 percent voted against the selected candidates for the provincial and city councils, respectively. “Among the voters who took part in the ballot-casting, 99.91 percent voted for the candidates for deputies to provincial people’s assemblies…. (and) 99.87 percent voted for candidates for deputies to city and county people’s assemblies,” state news agency KCNA said. The North’s parliament and regional councils serve as a rubber stamp to the ruling Workers’ Party, with their elections usually registering over 99% voter turnout” (Jumada Al-Ula – ‘North Korea Cites Rare Dissent in Elections Even as 99% Back Candidates’ 28.11.2023, Asharq Al-Awsat).

In Pyongyang and the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK) or known as North Korea. The Workers Party held an election over the weekend. Not that it was a big deal or a shocker. It was more of the same and a fanfare for President Kim Jong Un. The third generation dictator and supreme leader of the Nation.

It was settled like it normally does with no dissent and no actual concern of a loss. The Workers Party was bound to win and everything was secured that way. The polls and everything is monitored…

This is why the little defiance and people showing dissent is out of the norm. There was actual citizens who dared to vote outside of the ruling party. In a state where everything is controlled and sanctioned by the state. They say what you need to do and orders people around. This is why its bold to even imagine the sacrifice of voting the opposition. The ones standing as the opposition should also be worried. If these people can get into exile. They should do it quickly, because this was a risky move.

I doubt the Workers Party will be unforgiving. They didn’t get 100% and the perfect score, though it was as close as it could get. The President didn’t get all his votes, but the party will have sole control anyway. However, that doesn’t mean these people aren’t in danger.

I just can’t phantom the ordeal and the state retaliation towards the ones who dared to vote the opposition. This slim and tiny minority will face the law. They will be under scrutiny and these people will be ratted out. The state has most likely already acknowledged what they did and they could be in trouble very quick.

These citizens are heroes, even if they are punished and criminalized for their behaviour. They dared to do it in a society and under the 3rd Generation of Kim’s who rules like demigods. These people took a ballot and voted in disregard of the living God of Pyongyang. That’s what they did and we should salute them.

They did what many of us never would have dared to do. Because, we know we would loose our job, our social score and reputation. The family will suffer as a cause of this and there is no return back to life. The state will be brutal and the demise is eminent. Just because you voted against his President and his party. That’s it…

This is why we need to remember them and what they did. Others will mock the elections and talk ill of it. It was a process and done to perfection, just so the dictator has legitimacy. However, he isn’t key player here. The ones that matters are the ones that dared to challenge him and pick the oppositional ballot. Peace.

Sénégal: Leaders Allies du Candidate Ousmane Sonko (LACOS) – Communique No. 002 (21.11.2023)

RDC: Province du Nord-Kivu – Le Gouverneur – Communique Officiel (18.11.2023)

Liberia: “Sleepy Joe” is destined to win over Weah…

Never have we seen such a display of reckless disregard for the concerns of the people of this country. Never have we seen so much display of greed, selfishness, corruption, and irresponsibility at the highest level of government. Never have we seen a President of Liberia become a laughing stock or joke in the world. Never have we lived under a government that brings so much shame and disgrace to our country” – Joseph Boakai (November 18, 2022).

It is reported that in Monrovia there is a new President on the Horizon. There will be fresh blood in the Office of the President. All results trickling in of the run-off election goes in favour of former Vice President Joseph Boakai aka “Sleepy Joe” winning the election. That’s a big one and massive loss for Weah.

Boakai lost to Weah in the run-off election in 2017, but it seems like he has grasped the last straw this time around. He was the Vice-President during the years of Ellen Johnson Sirleaf. Surely, the years of 2006 to 2018 has formed him as a leader and a politician.

Now at the age of 78 years old his becoming the President of Liberia. The Unity Party will become the rulers and changes will be made after the years of Weah. I expected a “walkover”, because of the victory over the same individual in 2017. However, I was wrong and I accept that. I also wrote that people could have enough grievances to not give Weah a second chance and that was true. That’s because I valued the “incumbency” and the “inherited power” which usually gives a candidate strength and ability to flex beyond any opposition. Nevertheless, that wasn’t the case and we should be joyful in the victory of Boakai.

We can wonder if he has plans to fall sleep at public events or if he is wide awake at this age. It is certain that there will be difference between him and Weah. That is for sure and Boakai is a seasoned politician and has been in the game for over 40 years. He was even a minister back in the 1980s and that’s how far back we can trace his eligibility. Therefore, he isn’t an old rookie suddenly getting the title. No, he is a man that has waited all his life for this moment and now he can touch it.

We know he has blasted and been ruthless in regards of choices of words in regard to Weah. That is natural as an opposition and someone who failed to win over him in 2017. It would be out of character and role, if he would have said things differently. We know Weah had a lot of actions done, lack thereof as well, which all could deem him unelectable. Just the idea of following his sons journey in the World Cup for so long and leaving things unattended at home. That’s not a good look for Weah and he should have known this. However, that is water under the bridge now.

Now we can wonder what the rescue mission is all about and how he will save the republic. Because, that is where his coming from and where he wants to start as a President. That is a big task and not an easy one.

Sleepy Joe” have to decide the road ahead and has to be wide awake. He cannot slumber or take it slow. Especially, if he plans or intends to fix the issues he has promised to work upon. Regardless of that, we can question his longevity and if his will is there. That’s just the cynic in me… as he is one of them and this is his shot to eat.

Well, time will tell and Monrovia is set for a new President in the City. That’s great and hopefully Weah bows gracefully down and accepts that he lost. This would be a second peaceful transition and give more hope for the future. As one administration leaves and another one enters without any sort of aggression. That’s what any nation needs and let’s hope that happens now. Peace.

RDC: Declaration des Candidates President de la Republique suit au Cadre de Concertation Organise par la CENI le 13 Novembre 2023 (16.11.2023)

Opinion: Odonga Otto wants to be crowned king…

My decision to contest was triggered by unending corruption, tribalism, sectarianism, and nepotism in the country. We also have poor facilities in the health and transport sectors, and a poor political space with no real democracy” – Samuel Odonga Otto, former Aruu County MP

It is now official that Samuel Odonga Otto is standing for the Presidency in the 2026 under the banner of the newly formed party – Revolutionary People’s Party (RPP). As a former MP he was a part of the Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) for years until 2021. When the FDC fielded another candidate against him. He had been elected as an MP since 2001 and fell out with the party after 20 years.

Now his been “independent” and wasn’t re-elected for the fifth time. He stood at the time in 2021 for the Uganda Economic Party, but didn’t succeed to get elected. The last time he tried was in Aruu South County and tried to fight it in the courts, but they uphold the victory of another candidate. Meaning he was without an office and without the opportunity to serve in the 11th Parliament.

This will all be done to serve the interests of Odongo Otto. He is now making himself a leader of his own created party. If there is a place or people will gather around it. That’s another matter. His an alternative, but he couldn’t get popular enough to regain his seat. After he has been representing there for 20 years.

That means people was tired of games and lack of commitment. Yes, he has been controversial and stood tall in some of his principals. But there is a reason why he lost by 5,000 votes. People didn’t accept his mediocrity and lack of delivery. They had trusted him, time and time again. He had allied himself Besigye and the FDC. However, in 2021 he was defiant against the FDC and the National Unity Platform (NUP). Which was another reason for his downfall.

Odonga Otto can be voice and can be a loudmouth. His been savvy enough politically to win races four times. However, that has been in one district and one county. That hasn’t been nationwide and neither is he a beloved character of any kind. His just a man who has fought and been loud about critical questions when they arise. However, as a legislator… I cannot remember him doing anything substantial or partake in any amendment that made a difference. And he was there since 2001 up to 2021.

This man should have done something and should have made more of himself than a name. However, that was clearly enough. The former MP wants the title, but he won’t get it. He will be a briefcase party with a cool logo. However, we can wonder if he will have a platform, manifesto or a program worth listening too.

This is a vanity project and it’s bound to fail. Peace.

Liberia: ECOWAS Commission – ECOWAS Oberserver Mission response to Statement made by Mo Ali (National Campaign Spokesperson of the Unity Party) – (11.11.2023)

Zimbabwe: Tendai Biti – Zimbabwe at a crossroads (11.11.2023)

Madagascar: Communique du Gouvernement (10.11.2023)

Zimbabwe: The CCC is getting the full MDC Alliance treatment

That Nelson Chamisa and the Citizens Coalition For Change (CCC) seems to never learn… and that is how we can end the flattery and the ideals for a moment. The CCC is on the trajectory of the Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) Alliance (MDC-Alliance) and the Movement for Democratic Change – Tsvangirai (MDC-T). That happened in the second republic and on the accord of Douglas Mwonzora.

Now there is a “new” interim Secretary General Sengezo Tshabangu is using all the tricks Mwonzora. He has recalled MPs, Councillors and even Mayors of the party. Now, there is reports that his taking a heist and taking the government funding of the political party. Meaning he is re-directing the funding of the CCC to a CBZ Holding Limited, which is a government owned entity.

The ZANU-PF have allowed a fake Secretary General to open up an account of a fake entity at a government owned bank. That’s what they have allowed here. They are all doing this to hurt, damage and destroy the only viable party in the opposition. Just like they used the MDC-T to dismantle the MDC-Alliance.

Chamisa should have learned from the previous term and ensured the party was water-tight. There should have been no shadow of a doubt or questions to be asked. The CCC are now in a free fall. The Courts will not eat their arguments or even play along. The authorities are sealed and the opposition has nothing to give.

ZANU-PF is just showing they will use any trick, any means and by the end of the day. Destroy the CCC like they did with the MDC. That’s what Mnangagwa wants and his getting it. His using their tool of Tshabangu to dismantle it piece by piece. There will nothing left and he will dance on the grave of the CCC.

There will nothing left when the “interim” Secretary General is over. He will have taken the money, the headquarters and the representatives. Those representatives seats or offices will be “donated” to ZANU-PF as per agreement. The one acting like he runs CCC will practically self-destruct it and that’s his mission. Nothing else… and it is obvious.

What is clear is that Chamisa and his inner-circle didn’t take the memo after the failure of MDC-Alliance. He should have changed his steps, but instead his being captured for a second time. His losing little by little and have no leverage. All is out of his control and its being done deliberately. He is soon out of time and out of options.

Mnangagwa is biting and ready to chew his enemy. Peace.