Burundi: Ndayishimiye as a Presidential Candidate is a bad-sign ahead

said this to the UN Agents, looking them straight in the eye: you wanted to deploy MAPROBU to come and kill us. This force will not beat us, if they come I know we will defeat them in three hours … We must know that it is time to drive out all the demons that have infiltrated Burundi. God is with us, we will fight all demons. They will be exterminated and Burundi will develop”Evariste Ndayishimiye (SOS Burundi – ‘Quarterly report on the situation of human rights in Burundi July 1 to September 30, 2017’ October 2017).

Evariste Ndayishimiye is now the apparent heir of the CNDD-FDD and the next up-coming President in Burundi. After three terms of Pierre Nkurunziza. A man whose legacy and time will be deemed with the blood on his hands. Now, the CNDD-FDD is handpicking a man whose mission has been to do the duty of Nkurunziza.

General Ndayishimiye has been in CNDD-FDD since 1995. He came from the Parti pour la Libération du Peuple Hutu-Forces Nationales de Libération (Palipehutu-FNL). A party that has later changed name and is now the only the FNL. A party that he has later done what he could to eliminate together with other strong men in the appointed cabinet of Nkurunziza.

Gen. Ndayishimiye, the Secretary General of CNDD-FDD and former Minister of Interior, whose been in-charge of the Operation “Safisha”, which is Kiswahili for “to clean”. The mission was also to directly assassination of the FNL President. Also, getting rid of the opposition, which were former Ex-Fab and FNL activists.

So, giving him the role now. Will show how not only the militarised CNDD-FDD continues to spread its message with force. But, how they intend to continue their purge. As his known as a hard-liner. A man whose has no issue to use militarised methods to get his way.

The man the CNDD-FDD Secretary General written this: “As for the Burundians, thirsty for power, who let themselves be led by the neo-colonialists who seek to destroy the independence and dignity of the Burundian people in order to achieve their ends, the CNDD-FDD Party recommends that they recapture themselves and join the bandwagon towards the 2020 elections” (Ndayishimiye – ‘Statement of the CNDD-FDD party on the commemoration of the 25th anniversary of the assassination of Ndadaye Melchior’ 20.10.2018).

We know his well known for this as his been nicknamed the “terminator”. For his will of using the police, the army and Imbonerakure to get rid of FNL and Ex-Fab in Burundi. The General knows this and has tried to downplay it. Even as there is weekly people getting abducted, killed and suddenly gone missing.

Gen. Ndayishimiye who has been a loyal general to the President said this before the polls on the latest referendum in 2018: “Anyone who votes No will be a traitor, bought and paid for by white colonizers, They’re enemies of the country. They’re even devils, because voting No will bring a curse” (Ndayishimiye, 2018).

If he feels that way about people voting now to a legislation giving Nkurunziza the possibility of a fourth term. What would he say, if it matters to his own self? Wouldn’t he call them traitors and scum, if they don’t vote for him?

When its that easy to call people enemies. Make secret coded operations to get rid of enemies. That sort of man is dangerous. His dangerously enough in the high ranking position his in now and with his place in the Council among the President. However, now he’ll get even more power.

Don’t expect anyone to dare to insult the CNDD-FDD. Who has used force to say in power. Who has silenced critics and by any means staying in power. His a loyalist to Nkurunziza. So, expect him to hold him in high regard and still play after his time in office.

However, it isn’t a paradigm shift to pick Gen. Ndayishimiye, it is more of the same and possibly amping up the violence even more. Maybe even striking harder down on dissidents and not letting them go. As he will target the enemies of the state and the CNDD-FDD. With all means at his disposal. Don’t expect silencing of the guns, but more of them.

The military wing of CNDD-FDD has gotten their man. This will be bloody. The ones calling him moderate is out of line. The man who was in-charge of cleaning up and assassinations. His not moderate, but a killer in a suit.

Future His Excellency, but don’t expect the CNDD-FDD to change their ways of operations. Just more bloodshed and more constrained political space in the mercy of a Evariste. This here is not good news, but a future with more hostile behaviour from the state. Peace.

Burundi: OLUCOME – Communique de Presse No. 003 – Portant Sur la Priere Interconfesionnelle d’Action de Grace Organisee par le Parti CNDD-FDD dans la Capitale Politique de Gitega a la Veille de la Proclamation du Candidat aux Presidentielles de mai Prochain (25.01.2020)

Burundi: OLUCOME – Communique de Presse No. 02 – Portant sur le Detournement Probable des Fonds des Enseignants Retenus a la Source par l’Influence de la Coalition COSESONA (22.01.2020)

ECCAS and UNOCA call for peaceful legislative and municipal elections in Cameroon (24.01.2020)

RDC: Comite Laic de Coordination (CLC) lettre de Son Excellence Felix-Antonine Tshisekedi Tshilombo (24.01.2020)

Not Breaking News: NRM Declares Museveni as sole candidate for 2021

This is not a joke, but the National Resistance Movement – Central Executive Committee and the Delegates have decided that the President since 1986 is the natural candidate in the up-coming election of 2021. Not that this is shocking. This is a pattern, a long pattern, that goes decades now.

If the NRM had said someone else would stand in his place. That would have been actual news and caused a stir. If the NRM had chosen someone else than Museveni it would been interesting. However, that is not possible. The Party is Museveni and they all have to follow him. If it is to greatness or to the abyss. They will follow him like blind sheep.

If Yoweri Kaguta Museveni would have had his will. Surely, he would just have held “non-democratic elections” like in 1996 or Resistance Council Elections of 1989. Because, then he would nominate the closest leadership and nominees. While securing them in, without the hassle of questions, campaigning or even pledge anything to the public. Regardless, he will be in power and the wasted campaigning will just be an expensive shindig.

That is why his own party isn’t even holding delegates and a secret ballot of whose becoming the party presidential flag-bearer. As his the automatic candidate, just like several of other loyalists, whose will stand in constituencies without anyone opposing them. The NRM is built around one man and his vision. Even if that vision by this point is very blurry, because its not like he stands for anything else than being in power.

Museveni and the NRM might play this for propaganda. They might play this as a sign of victory and greatness. That one man got the ability, but at what price? How can he be such a good leader, when he never could groom an successor? When he hasn’t ushered in the next generation?

This man is closer to the coffin, than to become a legend. Museveni military grip, eaten the whole state apparatus and micro-managing will haunt the state. The ones behind will say its fine, but they will be proper game the day his left the building. Even if they act like his going to be there forever. He will not, he might fall like Gadaffi, he might fall like Mugabe or even Al-Bashir. Nevertheless, he will not fall by the ballot or an election. There he will win by the hook or the crook.

So, that Museveni as a Sole Candidate is the norm. It is the fashion of our times. Not that its right. It shows the flawed centralized system within the NRM and how the government itself operates. That’s why its not breaking news, it is expected and written in a stone in the Luweero Triangle. If not its carved in the bushes around Rwakitura farm. Maybe, even written with lipstick on the forehead of Janet. Because why not?

This is not like it was a secret, a big revelation. An epiphany…. No, no, this is just as expected that rain in rainy season. Like the sun showing up in the morning. Like smelling coffee in a coffee shop. There is nothing special, unique about today.

The man that’s been running the republic since 26th January 1986 becoming the sole candidate in his party on the 25th January 2020. Is expected, because his shown not a single sign of retirement. Other than lying a few times about in the past. Promising to step down, but that’s never happening. Always another cause to save, but it needs his saving grace.

Whose his kidding right?

The Only Man With A Vision, the man of the mustard seed. His surely lost his marbles and we all know that his not the only man who has the ability to run the Republic. There are plenty of others who could do so, but they never get to try. Because, the S-O-L-E Candidate is in their way. Peace.

Opinion: NRM queuing in the line of 1989

It was reported that in February 2019, that the National Resistance Movement – Central Executive Council (NRM -CEC) was proposing to have the NRM Primary Elections of 2020. Where all the members and the general public who would participate in these elections would go behind their lines. By that way decide whose the candidate in the up-coming election in 2021.

That was just a mere report from NRM CEC was reported in the New Vision this: “The Central Executive Committee (CEC) sitting in Entebbe on Thursday discussed the proposed amendments to the NRM Constitution and adopted lining up as a mode of voting during party elections” (New Vision, 24.01.2020). That’s a mere year later and they are really sticking to it.

This time they have made excuses for this lax elections too: “The party leaders extensively discussed the advantages that come along with this proposed amendment some of which include reduction in logistical and financial such as procurement of ballot papers, buckets, indelible ink, pens and basins among other electoral materials, provide a desirable party cohesion because it will be open and transparent and elimination of ghost polling stations” (New Vision, 24.01.2020).

Its like they are initially saying, we are so bad at holding these elections and we don’t trust the NRM Electoral Commission. Especially not that rascal Dr. Tanga Odoi. His a useless tool, but our useless tool. So, we have to abolish ordinary elections. The candidates has to put forward like school-kids in the yard and the ones with the most people behind them. Becomes not only captain, but the class-president. This is how it seems.

Just like in 1989, it was the personal merit, which counted in the National Resistance Council Elections. Now, the same will happen. On the grounds on Election Day. Where the polls will all be open. Where the members and the public in general participating will stand in line behind the person they see most fit or feels the pressure to vote for. This is not secret voting, but a public gathering of people and pressuring them.

The NRM CEC and Delegates Conference should maybe give it a three week notice for the elections. Let the President decide the majority of the Candidates and call it a rewind of the RC Election of 1989. They are queuing like the RC1 did back then. So, the NRM CEC and the President wants a Personality Contest.

What is special is that the liberator is going back to his old tricks to get his cronies behind the wheels. His using the same tools he did in the 1980s. Instead of developing, the NRM and its Secretariat is digressing. This isn’t developing the party, but time travelling back-in-time.

So, the NRM want the public to ‘Walk a fine line’. It’s 34 years in power, 31 years since the first election was held and now they want to repeat that. It is internally, but shows their lack of respect for their members and voters. When they want to continue the “art of peer-pressure”.

We are living in 2020, but the NRM CEC is still in 1989. Maybe, the NRM CEC should buy a Nintendo Gameboy or even watch Lethal Weapon again. So, they can reminisce about that long forgotten time. Instead of pushing old tricks on the public now. The Party of a ruling regime, which is getting closer to 4 decades. Should be able to run a proper election. Not do the same as it did in their inception.

That’s what’s you do when your lost and you got no where else to go. Peace.

Gabon: Communique du President Jean Ping, sur les enlevements et tentatives d’enlevement des enfants (24.01.2020)

Opinion: VP Chiwenga Bitch-Slapped by the High Court

Today was a day of reckoning for the Vice-President Constantino Chiwenga who has trouble with his estranged wife. This being Mary Mubaiwa or Mary Chiwenga. Who has gone from being a bed-mate to brutal divorce.

Today in High Court, she has redeemed herself. Won the rights to the house, the luxurious car and the kids. The VP has to leave the premises and let her be. In mid-December 2019, the VP and his cronies was able to put her behind bars. Now, she has won in Court, a mere moth later. That is redemption and brutal bitch slap towards the all powerful VP.

The General, who has intervened in the proceedings with soldiers and whatnot. Intimidated the former wife and has been able to cause a lot of trouble for Mary. Now, bloody Mary have overcome the General and VP to humiliate him.

VP Chiwenga cannot be proud. His not allowed to interfere in the Orchid Gardens, neither touch her Toyota Lexus, Mercedes Benz S400 and Mercedes Benz E350 Black. All of them is for her to keep.

We can hope that the General have learned that your not using the army to settle, either personal or civilian matters. However, don’t expect him to learn. His not used at loosing. Anticipate more stuff in the coming time. This is not the end. His humiliated and lost in Court. He will retaliate. This man doesn’t accept things like this and will not let this be the final outcome.

VP Chiwenga will use his influence and ensure more trouble for Mary. Just like he did in December 2019. Especially, since she hurt his pride in the Courts today. The blind and naïve will think otherwise, but his a conning man. He will think of the long-con.

What is really striking here is that the General used the army and soldiers to settle matrimonial dispute. He thought this was a battlefield to take trained soldiers, to secure the well-being and shield his kids. That is what is really unique about this man. He used soldiers to settle grievances.

If he does this for his own kids, what will he not do to settle disputes across the country? What will be his response to anything, when he does this in his on matrimonial home?

Just think about that for a second and then you see what I see. Peace.

UN strongly condemns the harassment of humanitarian staff and looting of humanitarian premises in North Darfur (23.01.2020)

Zalingei/Khartoum, 23 January 2020- “This emerging trend of harassment of UN and NGO staff and subsequent looting and vandalization of UN and NGO premises and assets is not only very disturbing but totally uncalled for. UN and NGO staff are in Darfur to provide critical humanitarian and peacekeeping support in the region and deserve the full support and appreciation from the communities they serve,” UNAMID’s Joint Special Representative/Joint Chief Mediator, Jeremiah Mamabolo stated in response to reports received about the wanton destruction of property in Kabkabiya, North Darfur.

On 22 January, a large crowd of men, women and children harassed staff from the International Organization of Migration (IOM) who were on mission to distribute non-food items to victims of flooding that occurred in Kabkabiya, North Darfur last October. The distribution commenced on 20 January at the premises of an implementing partner and was supposed to conclude on 22 January. However, towards the end of the distribution program, some looters attacked the IOM staff alleging that they were not included in the distribution matrix. It was later reported that the premises of five other local NGOs were also looted.

Later in the day, government security forces intervened whilst UNAMID’s Pakistan Contingent based in the area, also secured the World Food Programme (WFP) premises and four local staff remaining in the offices.

“We appeal to both federal and state government authorities to thoroughly investigate above incidents and bring all persons responsible for these unwarranted actions to book,” JSR Mamabolo added.

The Humanitarian Coordinator in Sudan, Gwi-Yeop Son, condemned the attacks on humanitarian offices, assets and looting of humanitarian supplies in Kabkabiya, North Darfur.

“I condemn these acts and call upon the Government authorities to launch a swift investigation and bring those responsible to account,” Ms. Son said. “Attacks against humanitarian actors and operations endanger lives, violate the protection of civilians, including humanitarian workers, under international humanitarian law, and jeopardize the provision of life-saving aid to people in need.”

Over the past year there were several other incidents of looting of humanitarian supplies in Darfur.

UNAMID continues to monitor the situation and will take taking appropriate measures to continue to facilitate humanitarian access in Darfur, in line with its protection of civilians’ responsibilities as mandated by the United Nations Security Council.