
Burkina Faso: Le President du Faso, President du Conseil des Ministres – Decrete (09.03.2020)


March 9, 2020 (DJIBOUTI, Djibouti): The Executive Secretary of the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) Dr. Workneh Gebeyehu, condemns in the strongest terms the assassination attempt on H.E Abdalla Hamdock, Prime Minister of the Republic of Sudan and the Chair of the IGAD Assembly of Heads of State and Government, following a car bomb attack on his official convoy at the Cooper Bridge in capital Khartoum today.
The Executive Secretary conveys his relief that Prime Minister Hamdok was unharmed in this appalling incident and calls for an immediate and speedy investigation in order to bring the perpetrators of this crime to justice.
This incident seeks to reverse the people-driven democratic gains that have been witnessed in the Republic of Sudan. The IGAD Executive Secretary emphasises that the “interests and the aspiration of the people of Sudan will reign over all acts of terror”.
He further adds that all parties must adhere to the continuation of open, comprehensive and inclusive political dialogue as the only avenue to ensuring long-term stability, peace and prosperity.
IGAD calls upon the international community to stand with the people and the government of the Republic of Sudan by extending the requisite political, diplomatic and material support during this transitional period to ensure that the foundations of peace, security and stability are firmly established as the people of Sudan chart the path to their future.



“I am directing the Police and MDF to stop these demonstrations. Should HRDC, MCP and UTM go ahead with the demonstrations, let them not say that they were not warned. Without the borders, there is no Malawi. These people [HRDC, MCP & UTM] are waging war on our country and it’s treasonous. I have no choice but to take necessary measures to protect the borders with all the necessary force a law unto themselves one day, evil will rule this country” – President Peter Mutharika (08.03.2020).
The Tipp-Ex President Peter Mutharika, who cannot stomach demonstrations nor public display of dissatisfaction towards him and the state. Now, there is no middle ground. He is now closing the space. His not accepting being questioned, neither the Malawi Electoral Commission. The President says this as several of the leaders in the Human Rights Defenders Coalition (HRDC). Therefore, his words are not worthless.
The President is setting himself up for failure. His closing the ability of the people to be vocal when the state is wrong. His saying the other opposition should be silent too. This is a clear step of a man who distrust of people is rising sky-high. Maybe, his feeling the pressure for techniques to rig the May 2020 elections?
The President of Malawi directing the army and police force, whose there to secure the public. Not to stop them nor stop the public from demonstrating against unfair policies and decrees. That is why they are on the streets with their feet.
That Mutharika is going to this step. Really shows how little governance, little ability he has to rule temporary, as his living on mercy after the “null and void” elections in 2019. The citizens deserves better than this.
Mutharika is saying they are treasonous for demonstrating, which is very convenient for him. Making any dissent into illegal action. This is a clear misdirection and malicious attempt of overriding any will of the people. Since, the President only allows his actions and his directions. The public has to silenced. If they dare to speak out, then they might face treason. How else you interpret these words?
The President whose already living on borrowed time with the highest office. Is clearly planning to stay by any means. As he is directing the authorities to stop the others from competing and using the boulevards as their platforms. Since, he got the State House and the Authorities in his pocket. This is why he makes offending him and his intelligence a crime against the state. That is what he has initially done by saying this! Peace.


Mogadishu – Somalia’s international partners* express grave concern at the build-up of security forces in the Gedo region of Jubaland, Somalia, and clashes in the vicinity of Belet Hawo on 2 March that have resulted in the displacement of civilians and casualties.
We urgently call upon all actors to exercise restraint, to reduce the presence of security forces in Gedo, and to avoid any actions that could spark violence. We note the importance of stability and good cooperation among Ethiopia, Kenya and Somalia in their common border area where they have shared security interests.
We welcome the communication between President Mohamed Abdullahi Mohamed ‘Farmajo’ and President Uhuru Kenyatta on 5 March and encourage the leaders to continue to deescalate tensions, to cooperate on border security, and to form a joint committee to address issues of diplomacy and trade as they agreed. The partners regard the engagement between the leaders as a necessary step, and underscore the importance of continued direct communication between Somalia and Kenya. The partners thank the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) for the outreach and providing good offices; and urge continuation of this dialogue until lasting solutions are in place.
For the long-term stability and security of the border region and of Jubaland, the partners urge cooperation and dialogue between the Federal Government of Somalia (FGS) and Jubaland authorities in order to advance the fight against al-Shabaab. They call for any individuals accused of crimes or human rights violations to be arrested and subject to due process in accordance with the rule of law.
We underscore that full cooperation and dialogue between the FGS and all Federal Member States’ authorities is urgent and essential in order to combat al-Shabaab, resolve contentious issues, and achieve other national priorities such as securing the benefits from debt relief and holding timely national elections.
* – African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM), Denmark, Ethiopia, European Union, Germany, Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD), Italy, Sweden, United Kingdom, United States, United Nations.



“In everything I do, I will continue to embody the true objectives and identity of the NRM. But as a founding member, lawyer and patriotic citizen I will not bind myself to illegalities” – Amama Mbabazi, 31st July 2015
There are similarities in some aspects between Amama Mbabazi and Lt. Gen. Henry Tumukunde, who both aimed at the throne and became Presidential Aspirants. However, there are some significant differences in the approach here. Which makes the one differ from the other. Also, make the latter one less sincere.
Mbabazi Brief Timeline:
Mbabazi was the Prime Minister and Secretary General in the National Resistance Movement. He resigned as Prime Minister in September 2014. However, by June 2015 he wrote in a scatting letter to the President, that he didn’t only intend to run as the Party Chairman, but also the NRM Presidential Flag-Bearer. This coming from the former SG and PM. That really showed some flex. While on the 31st July 2015, President Museveni picked his nomination forms. On the 31st July 2015, Amama Mbabazi said he would go “independent”. However, by September 2015 he was cleared as the Flag-Bearer. By 1st November 2015 President Museveni without any shock was nominated as the NRM Presidential Flag-bearer for the General Election of 2016.
However, with Lt. Gen. Tumukunde he haven’t even tried to play ball with the Party his supposed to be a part of and been representing for ages. His been a high ranking official, both in army and in cabinet. Therefore, Tumukunde knows the party and its constitution, also knows the reach and the possible approaches of these affairs. Therefore, just like the arrest of the bodyguards of Mbabazi, the same was bound to happen to Henry as well; which it did!
The last time Tumukunde held a higher office was in March 2018. The moment on Twitter, when Museveni proclaimed this: “This was President Museveni’s statement on twitter: “In exercise of powers granted to me by the Constitution, I have appointed Gen Elly Tumwine as the Security Minister. I have also appointed Mr Okoth Ochola as the Inspector-General of Police. He will be deputised by Brig Sabiiti Muzeei”” (NBS Television, 04.03.2018). Meaning that Tumukunde was sacked as the Minister of Security. Since, then he has been out of office and without power.
There was reports of him starting this in March 2019 and by later on in middle of July 2019 he was mobilizing youth and supposed to run for the office of Lord Mayor of Kampala. This was spread all over the waves, the NilePost, New Vision and everyone was running stories of it. He was even quoted: “Mark my words, I am the next Kampala lord mayor” (Nilepost, 23.07.2019).
Clearly, his pathway has changed and his motivation has as well. Even if the NRM had already handpicked Museveni as their sole candidate, which wouldn’t surprise anyone at this stage. The President was endorsed for it by early February 2019. By March 2019, there was a resolution where the party had clearly endorsed and ensured in writing that Museveni was the only Flag-Bearer for 2021. Therefore, when Tumukunde started his mobilization and the NRM was already on their way validating its chief.
However, what differs here. Is that Tumukunde was already sacked and didn’t show early on his true intention. Neither, did he like Mbabazi even try internally to challenge Museveni. He never did. No letter, no public outrage. Just a peeing on the public with consultations for a bid for Lord Mayor of Kampala.
It wasn’t until the end of February, when he sent a letter to the Electoral Commission, confessing his true desire. Tumukunde went out on a limp mobilizing for his Mayoral aspirations. However, that wasn’t his true face.
Mbabazi went out with fire, he aimed directly at the king. He didn’t take the public for a fool in that sense. He wasn’t truthful about his independent strike, as a member of NRM during his campaign. However, he was honest enough at least showing finesse in the way he went forward as a man who wanted the throne.
Tumukunde has just fired loose on all canons. Like a fishing expedition and just landed on the independent steak as a Presidential Aspirant. Which is less believable, concerning the way he went out. Sacked, didn’t even consider to question the “Sole Candidate”, because he was a supposed aspirant for Mayor. However, with time he rather wanted to be a big-shot.
Now we are seeing it all. We see the different approaches and it is only two elections in succession. Where to high ranking NRMers are aiming at the throne. Both doing it independently and on their own. However, don’t expect it bear fruits. Mbabazi has just returned back home and anticipate a sweet office later in return.
Tumukunde might think people are fools. If you really aspired for this, why did you something else just a year ago? Peace.

“With little training, Ethiopians rallied to the ‘mother’s call’ – the mother country cry for protection against the enemy. The Derg government offered a call for a short time and made it by bringing back respect of the country. It is in our history to pay for our country’s sacrifice and sacrifice ourselves for our country. Soon enough the invaders felt the wrath and the blade of Ethiopian heroes who were prepared to go to any length and sacrifice to defend their motherland. Within a short period, not only was the Somalia invader defeated but the territorial integrity, sovereignty and respect of the nation was restored in full. Rubbed the wrong way, the lion roars, the true Ethiopian rises to glory” (Dr. Abiy Ahmed Ali, 05.03.2020).
I don’t have the answers here. This is loosely translated from his Facebook post. However, the way it mentions thing it started me to question things and look into it. He celebrated the Karamara victory, the one where Ethiopia successfully where able to annex the Ogaden or the Somali region of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia. Therefore, it is hot topic to begin with, as the Ethiopian are seen as invaders and as colonizers of the region to begin with.
It is reason why its called the Somali region or Ogaden. Because, it’s belonging to the Federal Republic of Somalia. Now, its been like this ever since, ever since the loss of the war. Still, there are Ethiopian forces fighting for Mogadishu government at the mercy of Addis Ababa. This is known, so for the Prime Minister to celebrate this. Really, shows there are some aims at supremacy for the Prosperity Party and the Prime Minister.
He recalls old glories and even uses wordings, that former Dictator Megistu used to rally up the forces for the “Red Terror”. Using wordings that resembles the battle-cry of the DERG. For me that is weird. Not patriotic, but a sign that the man isn’t that peaceful after all.
Small fragments of the “Call of the Motherland”:
“Mengistu took a war-like stance against these threats in the aftermath of the coup on February 3, 1977. A communique issued in the name of the Derg on the following day pointed out that Ethiopian progressives (members of Mengistu’s coalition) had been unable to take action against the counter-revolutionaries because of the dominance of the reactionaries and their supporters in the Derg? it then stated that the revolution’s strategy would, from that day, be transformed from the defensive into the offensive. In his address to a rally held on the same day, Mengistu condemned Teferi and his faction, EPRP, EDU, the Eritrean Liberation Forces, the conservative states of the region and imperialism as enemies of the Ethiopian revolution. In his address at another rally on April 12, Mengistu again condemned the same forces and asked the Ethiopian people to rally around the banner of ‘Call of the Motherland’ and fight the enemies of the revolution” (ANDARGACHEW TIRUNEH – The Ethiopian Revolution (1974 to 1984), P: 285-286, 1990).
“Government dailies had a section of their front-page devoted to the “Call of the Revolutionary Motherland” from the beginning of May 1977. From the outset, the media campaign combined calls for the defense of territorial integrity with encouragements to denounce internal opponents. See e.g. Ethiopian Herald, 3 May 1977, ‘Call of Motherland: to defend the frontiers, to protect the revolution and to increase production’” (Jacob Wiebel – ‘Revolutionary Terror Campaigns in Addis Ababa, 1976-1978’, 2014).
“French MilAtt was informed March 5 by Soviet MilAtt that Jijiga had been recaptured that morning. Soviet also confirmed that Kara Mara Pass had fallen to Ethiopians. French MilAtt believed that major thrust toward Jijiga was from NNW and was combined Ethiopian-Cuban operation. French MilAtt further stated that Ethiopians took heavy casualties” (Office of the Historian – ‘69. Telegram From the Embassy in Ethiopia to the Department of State’ Addis Ababa, March 6, 1978, 1407Z 1054. Subj: Ethiopian Forces Recapture Strategic Ogaden Town of Jijiga. Ref: Addis Ababa 1025).
So, for someone calling himself a reformist and a man whose mission is to make the Republic better. He surely brings back memory of a regime and a type of government he shouldn’t associate himself with. Especially, this is a insult to the Somali and Somalia. They have answered this. Even Oromo leader Mohammad Jawar has addressed it. Therefore, the backlash has occurred.
Still, there is need to ask if this is a gaffe or an intended approach by the Prime Minister. As he has created his “one-party” ahead of elections and with statements like these. He will gain supporters and show flex. However, his also reminding people of a bloody past. A past where the state used terror against dissidents and used all means to stay in power. Therefore, the Prime Minister should consider that.
That its that easy to think in this direction, by the words and wording in his statement. Should boggle us in 2020. As he should not rewrite and praise the Derg, but instead condemn it and their ill-actions. The ramifications plenty of people are still living with today. The EPRDF has used techniques the Derg did too.
As his supposed to reform, he should know better. However, seemingly he wants this messages out. I just question it. As it sparks some memories and his wording isn’t making it better. Especially, when his trying to be a peacemaker in the region. Instead, this way his just another imperialist with in sheep’s cloth. A hidden wolf awaiting his time eat. Peace.