Nigeria: Center for Fiscal Transparency and Integrity Watch – Center Commends African Action Congress, Sowore Over Release of Election Campaign Expenses Breakdown, Urges Others to Borrow a Leaf (21.06.2023)

Mali: Cadre Strategious Permanant pour la Paix, la Securite et le Developpement (CSP-PSD) – Communique No. 04 (21.06.2023)

Sierra Leone: Office of National Security (ONS) – Press Release (21.06.2023)

Zimbabwe: Zimbabwe African National Union – Patriotic Front (ZANU PF) – Finance Departemnet – Press Statement (21.06.2023)

RDC: Martin Fayulu – Declaration Politique – Non a Un Parodie Electorale (19.06.2023)

Oyam North By-Election: Engola Jr. Vs. Dr. Apio

The Oyam North By-Election scheduled for the 4th of July 2023 after the MP of the area was assassinated earlier in the year. Now it isn’t speculations anymore, but today and tomorrow the candidates for the race is finally finalized.

The National Resistance Movement (NRM) is following the trend and letting the son of the late Minister become their candidate, Samuel Junior Okello Engola. He will face several other candidates, but the most important one is the Uganda People’s Congress (UPC) Dr. Eunice Apio.

These are two candidates to look after and consider in this race. Freddy Newton Okello (FDC) and Daniel Okello (NUP) can participate and be vocal. However, everything will encircle the NRM and the UPC in this here race. That’s if the Oyam North By-Election follows the pattern of previous elections.

The ones in 2021, 2016 and such has all been surrounding the two mentioned parties. The others haven’t had a shot. Oyam North goes either to the UPC or the NRM. That’s how it goes.

Now with the demise of Charles Okello Engola there is maybe sentimental values or attachment, which will reach in favour of Samuel Junior. That’s what the NRM is banking on. Since they did the same happen in Omoro County By-Election and when NRM defied it… it happens again in Serere County By-Election. Therefore, they are just using a tested method to this one.

The NRM is running high on nepotism, and it isn’t that clever. That’s why Engola Junior has a shot to inherit the seat. Not because of his inner wisdom or experience. No, he will be another one of the cronies and silent culprits of the state. Just like the winner of the Omoro County By-Election. It is the same vibe, just another by-election.

Dr. Apio might be the best candidate overall, and she has been close to win in the past. The community and the district itself should know her by now. I’m just amazed that Charles Krispus Ayena didn’t run as a independent again. He could also be a viable candidate if you look at the same poll from the past.

That’s why the NRM vs. UPC is gearing itself up. That is the reality here. The National Unity Platform (NUP) and Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) got nothing to gain here. They have no momentum or party allegiances to make it possible. These candidates can only undermine the UPC ticket and weaken it’s bid to overcome the NRM.

We know the NRM, and the regime will use all force in it. The region might look like a warzone in the 48 hours before the polls. It might also turn strange and pre-ticked ballots will come in a dozen of ballot boxes. Heck, there might be voter tourism from other districts to boost the numbers for the NRM. It is the sort of vibe of the nation and what they do to “win”. Peace.

Oyam North By-Election: The Electoral Commission – Office of the District Returning Officer – Nomination Schedules (19.06.2023)

Opinion: President Barrow follows a long-standing tradition along his fellow peers

It has been announced recently that Gambian President Adama Barrow will stand for a third term in 2026. This is in stark contrast to the promises made when he took power and run for elections in 2016. He had to get help from ECOWAS to get rid of the predecessor who is now living in exile, former President Yahya Jammeh who had been the President of the Republic since a coup d’état in 1994.

Now in 2023 and in his second term the current President is planning and announcing that his standing again in 2026. It is years in advance but very telling. That the man who promised a change and “democracy” is now turning into the one he fought. He is also getting hooked on power and doesn’t want to leave.

This sort of story isn’t new and it’s happening across the continent. President after President, Head of State after Head of State are coming in and promising a swift change. However, when they get in office and get power they never want to leave. They alter the laws and the constitutions. While they saying they have more things to achieve or haven’t finished their “project”.

Whatever it is… it’s disingenuous and insincere. It is a mockery of the people and the will of the people. That they think solely they are only ones fit to be President. Barrow is continuing where so many of his peers left off. It is for those reasons why the only way to “win” elections or get a new head of state is by coup d’état. Because the elections and the campaigns are made in favour of the incumbent and his party.

It isn’t long ago that Alpha Conde was ousted after pressing for a longer stint after a “popular” and a “majority” vote. We have seen that Alassane Ouattara went for his third term in 2020 after he fought for his victory in 2010 to oust Laurent Gbagbo who had been in office since 2000 and was ousted in 2011. Therefore, Ouattara has now been longer in office than Gbagbo ever was and one of the sticking points was the Gbagbo was “overstaying” in office.

Why do I mention these? Well, it is just how these things goes. There have been several others and I could have used examples of late Presidents in Burundi and Tanzania. While also could mention the likes of Museveni (Uganda), Guelleh (Djibouti), Al-Bashir (Sudan), Mugabe (Zimbabwe), Sassou Nguesso (Congo-Brazzaville), Obiang (Equatorial Guinea), Biya (Cameroon), Afewerki (Eritrea), Gnassingbé (Togo) and Kagame (Rwanda). That’s just to mention a few who has stood for a third term and is currently still in office.

Barrow will just be on this list. Join fellow Heads of State who is willing to overstay and never leave office. That’s what they do and his one of them. What is striking is how he went off and did a lot of promises in opposition. However, when the push came to shove his just like all of them.

The sweet juices and perks of being a high ranking official is to endearing to give up. There are mere few who dares and lives long on it. That being Jakaya Kikwete (Tanzania) or Uhuru Kenyatta (Kenya). Others pushes and pursuits another term by any means. They are willing to postpone and ensure another term. Therefore, Barrow might end up like on of them.

It would be poetic if he ends up like Jammeh. Sooner or later gravity will fall on him too. He might feel Teflon and righteous right now. Nevertheless, nothing is lasting forever. Even if he wants it too. That’s why the predecessor had to flee and leave when Barrow got help from Senegal and ECOWAS. It is so easy to forget.

Sooner or later a new opposition leader could gain popularity and notoriety, which could endanger the hegemony of Barrow. He would then face the dilemma of Jammeh and how to handle that one. Especially, when he was supposed to be different. He was supposed to issue “democracy” and unify the nation. It is just so compelling when his now planning to run in 2026. That his getting closer and closer to the years of Jammeh. Those sorts of facts should worry him, but I doubt he cares.

Barrow has become the king on the throne, and he don’t want to be a statement an retire in peace. Peace.

Opinion: Tshisekedi’s paranoia knows no bounds…

The current Congolese President Felix Tshisekedi is acting like his predecessors. There is little to nothing separating him from the others. Even if his father and himself was on the barricades for a more just rulers and democratically values. However, once resuming office, it becomes apparently all about staying in power.

Tshisekedi is no different than the ones before him. We should have seen it coming with the “100 Hours” scandal and legal jeopardy that was. Also, with the usage of “Sacred Union” to justify the ending of FCC-CACH marriage and detaining his ally Vital Kamerhe. Therefore, it was already put into play, but now before a new election. The President is speeding it up…

He has already targeted the Ensemble and the Opposition leader Moise Katumbi. His home has been raided by the authorities, his car been shot at and felt the pressure of the authorities because his vocally demonstrating against the regime.

Now today there are reports that the FCC and PPRD head, the former President Joseph Kabila’s house will be raided too. That is happening and shows what the current head of state is willing to do.

His not only targeting one of the Lamuka coalition heads in Katumbi. No, he also goes for the man he negotiated with and ensured his office with Mr. Kabila.  That’s telling, but I’m not surprised knowing what he did and ensured the demise of Kamerhe.

We know Kabila and Tshisekedi schemed after the previous elections. That’s why it was shockingly him becoming President and not the anointed on in the PPRD. It was a way to manoeuvre and ensure continuation of the predecessors’ base as well. Therefore, Tshisekedi was already in the mercy of others and since then tried to disassemble the arranged marriage he was captured in.

So, we are now seeing before the next election that Tshisekedi is trying do get a full divorce. His settling the old grudges and finding ways to ensure the down-fall of the ones around him. He is not risking having to deal with Kabila or any of his political allies. Neither does he want to see the opposition or the Lamuka rise to power either. That’s why his trying to weaken the FCC, PPRD and Lamuka.

It is the initial reason for this all going down. The allegations and the reasons for the raids are manufactured. That is make belief and easy stories to sell to the UPDS base. Nevertheless, it doesn’t make it truer.

Kabila, Katumbi and others are victims of one man’s will to rule supreme. Tshisekedi is hungry for more and the only way he knows to succeed is by blocking others. He doesn’t know how to win a popularity contest or campaign with full force. It is easier to detain, silence and intimidate the opponents. That’s what his doing and the ones who are in his way will feel his wrath.

Tshisekedi is just showing the electorate, the citizens and world at large who he really is. That his no different than the ones before him. Even if he is from a family of renegade opposition who fought for a noble cause. He instead turned on these ideals and prefers eating in office. That’s why the ones in his way got to be removed. He needs to find reasons and then challenge them with the power vested in the authorities. That’s what he does and it’s so tragic.

Tshisekedi won’t be known reformer or an idealist in office. The UPDS won’t make things better, but only continue where others left off. That’s why Katumbi and Kabila get’s targeted now. Peace.

RDC: Lamuka – Le Coordonnateur – Declaration Politique (07.06.2023)