RDC: Lucha Communique No. 001 – L’Administrateur de Rutshuru Impose la Terreur aux Paisibles Citoyens (22.02.2020)

A one-sided court system: Lukwago & 13 others Election Petition dismissed yesterday

What Lord Mayor Erias Lukwago and 13 others shown the world is that there is one-sided court system or judicial system in the Republic. For the ones that didn’t know that, should know that by now. Because, the state can easily go after Lukwago years after the supposed crime.

Like for instance, Besigye and Lukwago had to answer for “crimes” committed during the Walk to Work demonstrations of 2012 on the 18th July 2016 at the Kabale Chief Magistrates Court. That was fine, but when his filling in an petition in consideration of the voter registration and election road map for 2021. His too late to do so. That is a double standard.

We can see quickly by two statements by the judge, that the 14 respondents had no chance in hell to let this pass the devil. There was no plan to do so. The judge even called the Lord Mayor an activist, as everyone is supposed to be equal by the law. Not treated differently because of role or your participation in society.

Here is the two quotes that says it all.

First:

This court also realizes that the nature of the complaint seems to be made by a group of political activists, rather than the actual persons directly aggrieved by the timelines set by the Electoral Commission. This form of public interest litigation challenging non-inclusion of names in the Electoral register should be discouraged and is not maintainable. But a political party should be the best complainant in such matters rather than political activists” (High Court Judgement 21.02.2020).

Second:

If the applicants wanted to invoke the jurisdiction of this court they should have come at the earliest reasonably possible opportunity or sought leave of the court to file their application out of time but not to file the same as of right after such a long time of almost 3 years. The court could have exercised its discretion to extend the time depending on the facts to determine whether to extend the time to file for judicial review depending on the reasons on how the delay arose” (High Court Judgement, 21.02.2020).

We can see the judge determination to undermine the statutes with just this argument from him. Judge Musa Ssekaana had decided it. It doesn’t matter if Lukwago or anyone had merit for their arguments, when these sort of arguments runs the town.

Wonder if Musa could explain to me with statutes why Lukwago could be called for Walk to Work charges in 2016, when they were done in 2012? Why shouldn’t he and 13 others do this? They had nothing to loose to this.

Now that the case is dismissed, the ‘MISCELLANEOUS CAUSE NO. 431 OF 2019’ is now done. The chicken is fried and served. The dismissal sealed it. However, it proves on vital point. That the state is allowed to follow old cases on the opposition, but the opposition isn’t allowed to question old appointments nor cases. That is the double standard within the law.

Congs Musa. You showed the world that, maybe without even knowing. Peace.

Cameroon: SCAWOL – Condemnation of the Recent Killings by French Cameroon Military in Ngarbu village – Ndonga Mantung County, Southern Cameroons (22.02.2020)

CEDEAO: Communique (21.02.2020)

South Sudan: Today we celebrate the R-TGoNU [after that we need to give them time to work things out]

Well, the celebrations and the praises has been spread around as today on the 22nd February 2020 the Revitalized-Transitional Government of National Unity (R-TGoNU) are inaugurated, as yesterday the decrees was put out and the people from all the various of fraction accordingly to the Revitalized Agreement for a Resolution of the Conflict in South Sudan (R-ARCSS) of 2018.

So, today is a big day. Only four short years of the last inauguration of the Transitional Government of National Unity on the 26th April 2016. Therefore, this time its even more dire to set the record straight, compromise and ensure the prolonged peace. As the last endeavour opened up new wounds and battles between the rebels and the government. Which is today putting all that behind to form the R-TGoNU.

What is happening today is a big feat, it is something that should be celebrated and give hope. Even as bloated as the cabinet is and that there are 5 Vice-Presidents. Still, if that what it takes to have peace. Let it be and then change the system later on. Configure the Parliament and the Cabinet as deemed fit over time. This is a transitional government and that has to work out all the obstacles ahead and also work together to build the Republic.

The cabinet is filled 35 ministers and 10 deputies. All shared across the board. Sudan People’s Liberation Movement – In Government (SPLM-IG) have 20 ministers and 5 deputies. Sudan People’s Liberation Movement – In Opposition (SPLM-IO) have 9 ministers and 3 deputies. South Sudan Opposition Alliance (SSOA) have 3 ministers and 1 deputy. Sudan People’s Liberation Movement – Former Political Detainees (SPLM-FDs) have 2 ministers and Other Political Parties (OPP) have one minister.

Plus the cabinet, the National Assembly will be filled with 550 Members of Parliament. Clearly have a big representation from across the 10 states with the 10 governors and three administrators of the three special administrative areas. We can see there is a lot people gaining and getting positions out of it.

Hopefully that buys peace. Buy time and also get them all to work together towards a common goal. That they implement protocol and structures, that they are leaving egos behind and try to finds ways for lasting peace. The TGoNU of 2016 went into a blister, but we can hope this doesn’t happen now in 2020. Because, its the same gentlemen in power of the biggest outfits. They know the cost and troubles ahead.

The parties, the stakeholders and the international community have to support all efforts. Even if they are going slow. Because, it is better like this, than the prospects of another civil war. Which will only create more havoc and suffering. More pain and lack of a good government for the citizens, as the battlefields and the guns blazing will overtake the society again.

The gentlemen in power. Need to talk, sit down and work things out. This being President Salva Kiir, but also Dr. Riek Machar, all the Vice-Presidents and the whole cabinet. They are forced to work together and find a way for a better tomorrow.

Today is the day to celebrate, but also to give them time. Even if they had a long time getting here. Because, they need it and the public has to see it. Since, if they are forced to quickly and disagreeing. These men are used to take it to the field, instead of negotiating. That is why they need new methods and new measures to secure a peaceful outcome. Where they are not promoting war-games, but instead building the state together. Peace.

South Sudan: SSOA letter to President Kiir – Sub: SSOA Nominees for Vice President (VP) position per R-ARCSS (20.02.2020)

Opinion: It isn’t really about Bobi Wine…

At this point of time, we can establish one fact. That it isn’t really about Robert Kyagulanyi aka Bobi Wine nor his pressure group, the People Power Movement (PPM). No, it is all about the President and his fellow loyal authorities. That is what its all about.

The Consultation meetings of Bobi Wine has been squashed and stopped, his concerts has been blocked and stopped. Everything he touches, except for meetings in his garden and on his plot is stopped. He can only act in- and around his own building. Everything else is stopped.

As a Presidential Candidate, as a newcomer trying to comply and follow directives is impossible. Because, the goal-posts switches, not only has he to follow Presidential Elections Act and Public Order Management Act, but also the Electoral Commission Elections Road Map in coordination with the Police Force. All of this is blended together in a mix, which is a distasteful arrogance of the state to stifle his and their efforts of actually ensure a steady campaign ahead of 2021.

I wonder, why doesn’t any other candidate go through this mess? Why isn’t it this hard for the National Resistance Movement (NRM) and their candidates to hold rallies for Jim Muhwezi or Sam Kuteesa’s daughter? Why are they off the hook?

Well, it is because it’s not about them. It is about the President and his lack of popularity. Bobi Wine has a popularity and a swagger, which the President cannot replicate. A sort of political finesse, which he doesn’t have. Even if he appoints every single from the ghetto and pays them off. He will still not have the flair nor the ability to gain support like Bobi Wine.

That’s why these hardships for the PPM and Bobi Wine. Is initially all about the President and the President’s Men. Who are all fighting to show their support of the President and his cause. They are making it impossible for Bobi Wine to do his bidding and his consultations. Because, that serves the State House and the Kitchen Cabinet. It all makes sense.

It is not like the President could win in a free and fair election. If so, he would be gone a long time ago. He has to trick the stats, rig the ballot boxes and have all his appointed buddies in every single government body to ensure V-I-C-T-O-R-Y. Because, it is not like he would win it by his message, nor his track-record in office.

So, the struggles of the PPM and Bobi Wine isn’t really about them. It is about the President and the orders from “high above”. Bobi Wine and team can comply all they want, but it won’t amount to anything. Only prolong the agony and shed more tears, as the time is spoiled ahead of the 2021 elections.

An election where the results are already cooked, ready made and soon served. Peace.

South Sudan: National Democratic Movement (NDM) – Press Statement – A Dark Day for SSOA (22.02.2020)

UN Officials call for enhanced protection of civillians facing escalating violence in Cameroon (21.02.2020)

Pan African Movement – Uganda National Chapter: Statement on the Formation of the Revitalized Transitional Government of National Unity of the Republic of South Sudan (21.02.2020)