South Africa: Build One South Africa (BOSA) Leader Mmusi Maimane letter to Leader of Democratic Alliance John Steenhuisen – “BOSA Expectations for any Party Cooperation Agreement ahead of 2024 (15.04.2023)

RDC: Declaration Commune – Lubumbashi, le 14 avril 2023 (14.04.2023)

RDC: Nouvel Elan & Lamuka – Communique de Presse (09.04.2023)

Nigeria: Coalition for Peter Obi (CPO) – Communique from the Coalition for Peter Obi (CPO) – (05.04.2023)

RDC: Lamuka – Coordination des Operations Electorales (COEL) – Point de Presse (05.04.2023)

Opinion: Odinga wants power… and not a handshake…

In the light of the experience of contestation and subsequent conflict after the NARC MoU, the National Accord was entrenched in the Constitution and its provisions safeguarded both in the Constitution and through an Act of Parliament,6 thus avoiding the need to solve potential conflicts over the exercise of power and authority. The salient features of the Accord included, among other factors, the creation of the position of prime minister, which was earmarked for Raila Odinga, and the sharing of executive power between president and prime minister; the sharing of Cabinet and government positions on a 50-50 basis and consultation in all the affairs of government. The Accord further provided mechanisms for the dissolution of the coalition. Of utmost importance was the constitutional protection of the Accord, which insulated it from arbitrary and unilateral interference by the political class” (Denis Kadima and Felix Owuor – ‘KENYA’S DECADE OF EXPERIMENTS WITH POLITICAL PARTY ALLIANCES AND COALITIONS’ 01.06.2014, JAE Volume 13 Number 1 June 2014).

The Azimio la Umoja – One Kenya Coalition Party issued their “Deliberation” today on the 4th April 2024. Two days after President William Ruto called for dialogue and Azimio leader Raila Odinga called off the “mother of all demonstrations” which was scheduled for yesterday on the 3rd April 2023.

Now we are here and the deliberation from Azimio is telling. Azimio and Odinga will not settle for another round of Building Bridges Initiative (BBI). Because, deep down he knows that role is symbolic and only keeping busy from the streets. Another BBI will not serve his purpose or the Azimio leadership for that matter.

That’s why Azimio is proposing a new National Accord. Meaning they want a power-sharing agreement and grand coalition government. They want a sub-committee under the cabinet and be de-facto government. It shows that the “cost of living crisis” wasn’t that important and neither all the reforms either.

Odinga and Azimio wants a say and they want power. That’s why they want a new “National Accord” and not another BBI. This isn’t a handshake and creating a small entity to keep Odinga on “hold”. No, he wants to be the Prime Minister and have a say in implementation of government policies.

The agreement from December 2008 said this: “The Parties hereby designate the Cabinet Sub-Committee on the National Accord comprising H.E. Mwai Kibaki, President and Commander-in -Chief of the Armed Forces of the Republic of Kenya, Rt. Hon. Raila Amolo Odinga, Prime Minister of the Republic of Kenya and the Eight Ministers who represent the Parties to the Kenya National Dialogue and Reconciliation as the body to oversee the day-today management and implementation of this Agreement” (AGREEMENT FOR THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE COMMISSION OF INQUIRY INTO POST ELECTION ViOlENCE, 16.12.2008).

This is what I thought of when I read the “national accord”. The Azimio leadership wants a coalition government and written agreement (accord) on such. It means they want a piece of the action and be part of the day-to-day business of government. In such a manner, that the accord between Odinga and Ruto gives him an advantage. Because, that’s the brilliant part of “unifying” in this manner. Azimio gets an upper-hand and gets to shake the balance of the Kenya Kwanza Alliance, which is already in office. This would be a quagmire and a hectic mess for Ruto to sort out and especially considering the deals he has already signed with allies. Therefore, a National Accord on the basis of grievances is asking very much of the ones in-charge or in-office.

The Azimio leadership is asking for a huge bargain with a National Accord and what that entails. It is like Azimio has been betrayed or the nation is facing the same issues as in 2007 or 2008. That was after massive post-election violence and destruction, which is nothing compared to now. None of wants that or considers that a viable option. Though Azimio has promised huge protests and government officials has spoken of retaliation towards the protesters. Therefore, the dialogue and supposed talks would be good for the nation.

What is striking to me… is that Azimio and Odinga is using the “cost of living crisis” to furthering their own pockets and their own political capital. The citizens and the ones in dire need will not be directly helped by a National Accord. It would only benefit the political elite and the ones in near reach of power. The rest will be left behind and their sacrifices for Azimio will be as fruitful, as the ones on the streets for CORD or NASA. Heck, the ones in streets for the OKOA demos know the drill. Now Odinga is asking to be at the table and get in office.

That’s the gist of things and we have seen it before. A National Accord is to make Odinga a “Prime Minister” and have a say in cabinet. It is to give him a office and prestige. That’s the game-plan now and his selling out Azimio by default. Just like he sold NASA on the altar of BBI. Peace.

Kenya: Azimio la Umoja – One Kenya Coalition Party – Deliberation of Azimio Leadership since last Sunday (04.04.2023)

South Africa: United Democratic Movement (UDM) – Re: Invitation to the National Convention for the Moonshot Pact (04.04.2023)

Opinion: Mnangagwa don’t want any critical eyes on the up-coming elections…

“Going forward, and as a country and nation which is proudly African and sovereign, we shall be insisting on the principle of reciprocity when it comes to the practice of international election observation” – President Emmerson Mnangagwa (02.04.2023).

We can all within reason question the usage or the basis of Election Observations Missions, which haven’t delivered anything substantial, or their recommendations aren’t something the nations are legally bound to implement. Therefore, the EOMs tends to fall flat and their missions aren’t doing much either.

Yes, the EOMs are giving another view and perspective on the elections. They are viewing and formulating their ideas of what an election is and should be. How the polls should happen and how it’s fairly counted. Secondly, how it is properly and honestly announced to the public at large, as well. Therefore, no one should be shocked that the 2nd Republic and ZANU-PF doesn’t want that in their midst.

I am surprised that Mnangagwa didn’t come with this “Pan-Africanism” and usage of “colonial” heritage on the EOMs sooner. That he didn’t use it in his first election. However, back then he needed the support and the publicity from the international observers. It would show that he was not only wearing a scarf but was a better Head of State than his predecessor. Now in 2023 he doesn’t need that and couldn’t care less. It is just a formality and a way of “legitimizing” their offices and continuing to be high ranking officials.

“The theory and practice of election observation must be on the basis of equality and reciprocity among nations. Anything less and one-sided diminishes and creates a deep sense of bruise and injury to our sovereignty” (Mnangagwa, 02.04.2023).

Every sovereign nation has the rights to choose or decide who will observe. Though it is another idea or bigger picture, if the President want it look legit or just be a farce. The President can decide and block EOMs from entering. That is his government choosing. Though, the outsiders will question and wonder…. why now? What gives?

Secondly, this isn’t the sound of a supreme or a man who has fate in his own institutions. When he only needs “friendly eyes” and token “yes-men” to vouch himself into credibility. That’s how sycophants and cronies work on overtime. However, outside of that… there is more scrutiny and questions about behaviour.

The current ZANU-PF and Politburo will only allow their ways or means. We know they are playing it this way and they are not even trying to look open. The manner of which they tried to destroy MDC-Alliance and go after Nelson Chamisa’s party shows what they do. They can try all sorts of tricks, but that doesn’t mean it doesn’t backfire. In the same regard, blocking and not allowing EOMs can also undermine the ideals of the whole polls itself. Especially, if Mnangagwa wants to be recognized and be respected as a Head of State outside of Zimbabwe.

Alas, we know he wants that and needs that. ZANU-PF and his government need funding and aid from the donors to operate. That’s just a gist of things… and Harare cannot run away from that.

Time will tell, but I wouldn’t be shocked if Mnangagwa blocked EOMs now. He wants to be fierce and “win” his election in darkness. The old man prefers night over day. The crocodile don’t want to show the world how he chews his competition. Peace.

Opinion: Papa Don is finally indicted…

That Donald J. “Papa Don” Trump have been able to avoid indictment and being charged with a crime has been his speciality. If Papa Don has ever been tested by the Courts or by the Department of Justice it has been a slap on the wrist, and he could move on. That can be said even with fines, financial malpractice, electoral fraud and all the other possible crimes he has committed. There are a quagmire of running cases against him and his corporation, the Trump Organization.

The previous President, the ex-President and former Head of State is becoming the first who has held the title to ever be charged or indicted by a Court in the United States of America. If Warren G. Harding hadn’t died so soon. He might have gotten the same treatment for the Teapot Dome or any of the other scandals he was in involved in. Another one who could have faced similar treatment would have been Richard Nixon. Maybe he would also have faced time for his involvement in the Watergate scandal. However, that is just assuming and thinking about the past Presidents who could have faced the law for their actions.

Alas, today, the day after the public got the news. There been brewing and reports of possible actions made by the Supreme Court in New York. This is one of the cases which are on-going and facing the former President. It is just one case involving an extra-martial affair and “hush money” to be silenced ahead of the 2016 Presidential Elections. The hobnobbing of Papa Don is haunting him now. The life-style and the choices he made as a civilian is catching up to him. No one is shocked that he had an affair on his pregnant wife. No, that is something Trump has done in previous marriages too… and is just part of who he is. However, this time it was a part of a campaign and using funds of that to cover up his actions. That act and misdeed is now following him and the memory of “Stormy Daniels” are now emerging.

We know that the Trump Organization itself is under investigation and has built up cases against it. There are possible transgressions and systemic fraud been going on in combination of tax-evasion. Therefore, Trump is only having one issue at the time here.

Trump has another case going in Georgia, which is part of him trying to overturn the 2021 Presidential Elections. The others are the ones in who is on-going with the Insurrection on Capitol Hill on the January 6th and Special Counsel Jack Smith working on at the moment. The tides are turning slowly and the Department of Justice haven’t amped up the speed. It is like they are accepting the stalling tactics and the usage of “prominence” or “prestige” to get away from the law. If he was a small-time crook or holding a little contraband. Trump would have been in the slammer already. However, his the elite and the ones who has been in the upper-echelon of society. That’s why his off the hook and not tasting the same justice system as others. It just shows the two vastly different American experience people can have.

There will be defenders and people saying this is a political case. No, this is a case about the law and how to interpret the law. Secondly, there been enough evidence and discovery to charge the man with a crime. Meaning Trump is indicted and becoming a felon. That’s the gist of it. A man who has been able to get away from charges, allegations and possible criminal for so many years. His business-empire and person has been let scot-free.

Some might say it is wrong to do so and puts a bad precedence. I hate to tell you, if you don’t do the crime, you won’t do the time. It is that simple. Since he left office and lost the election, Trump is just another average Joe or a civilian. If the authorities or Department of Justice finds it worthy. They could build up cases against Bill Clinton, George W. Bush or Barrack Obama. However, there is nothing there or actions, which make that reasonable.

Nevertheless, in concern with Papa Don… there is more than enough and things that he needs to answer for. Not only in the case of Stormy Daniels, but others too. There are plenty more options and places where he fall. This is just first step and possible perp walk. We can only wait for the other numerous cases, which Trump is implicated in. Because, this isn’t the only one and that says something about him. Peace.