UNHCR seeks international solidarity for refugees and hosts in Sudan (14.01.2020)

Sudan has a long history of hosting refugees and asylum seekers but also struggles with its own internal displacement.

GENEVA, Switzerland, January 14, 2020 –This is a summary of what was said by UNHCR spokesperson Babar Baloch – to whom quoted text may be attributed – at today’s press briefing at the Palais des Nations in Geneva.

UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, is calling for increased support for Sudan with the launch of a new funding appeal that seeks US$477 million to help over 900,000 refugees in the country together with nearly a quarter million of their Sudanese hosts in the coming year.

The Sudan Refugee Response Plan, launched in Khartoum this morning, foresees humanitarian activities by UNHCR with over 30 other partners.

Sudan has a long history of hosting refugees and asylum seekers but also struggles with its own internal displacement, while facing a severe economic crisis. Our call comes at a time when the country is going through a historical political transition, and requires international solidarity to achieve peace and stability.

The largest group of refugees hosted in Sudan are South Sudanese with some 840,000 seeking shelter in the country since 2013. Resources are also needed for other refugees from nine countries who have sought safety from violence and persecution.

In the meantime, Sudan also continues to receive new refugees. In Darfur, an ongoing influx of CAR refugees into remote parts of South and Central Darfur States has seen the number of refugees swell from just over 5,000 to nearly 17,000 in three months since September 2019.

Refugees in Sudan live in over 130 locations across the country’s 18 States. About 70 per cent live outside of camps in villages, towns and settlements. The majority of refugees and asylum-seekers in Sudan face high levels of poverty, limited access to livelihood opportunities, and are hosted in some of the poorest regions of the country, where host communities are also struggling.

While refugees often benefit from generous support provided by host communities, the ongoing economic crisis in Sudan has exacerbated the situation as local resources remain scarce.

UNHCR is also part of inter-agency humanitarian efforts to assist some 1.9 million internally displaced people inside Sudan, leading on protection and working on displaced peoples’ rights, emergency shelter and relief distributions. Since last year, the transitional government has facilitated the delivery of aid to areas which were out of reach to humanitarians previously including in parts of South Kordofan and Blue Nile and Darfur’s Jebel Marra.

Years of conflict and unrest have also displaced more than 600,000 Sudanese as refugees in neighbouring countries – including over 300,000 refugees from Darfur in in eastern Chad. Since a Tripartite Agreement between the Government of Sudan, Chad and UNHCR signed in May 2017, nearly 4,000 Sudanese refugees have chosen to return home. More are expected to return this year.

In 2019, UNHCR operation in Sudan remained one of the most under resourced with only 32 per cent funds being available out of the needed US$269 million.

Zimbabwe: Citizens’ Manifesto – As we enter 2020, Citizens’ Manifesto Reterates Calls for Comprehensive Socio-economic and Political Reforms (14.01.2020)

Kenya: ANC – Steering Committee on Implementation of BBI Task Force Report (13.01.2020)

Opinion: Museveni ask his new ministers to desist from himself…

I call upon all ministers and public servants to desist from engaging in any form of corruption. Corruption by any government officials is a great betrayal to Ugandans who are desperately yearning for service delivery. I implore the general public to embrace this fight and report the crooked officials with evidence, as opposed to rumours and we will take action” (Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, 13.01.2020).

President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, the President since 1986, whose now richer than God, but came into power with little or nothing. Therefore, he knows what he did to get there. He knows the implicated scandals, the grand corruption and often noticed missing funds in the headlines in the Republic.

That is why these sorts of desisting from corruption Telling the Ministers and the Public from stopping it. Meaning it should stop and get all evidence on plenty of high ranking officials in this government. Get the evidence of state owned enterprises and authorities. There are plenty of officials who would easily be implicated and connected with government tenders and whatnot.

There is enough ghosts, over-inflated state contracts and some-what. Therefore, days like today. Feels futile. The state has created a lot of mechanisms, a lot of organizations fighting corruption. Still, the big-men, the men sanctioned by the State House and the secretive investment deals are overshadowing the supposed battle against corruption.

When there is lack of transparency from the top. There will be less from the bottom too. There is no reason for changes, when everyone is eating and the ones with influence of the State House. They got an ability to get kickbacks, suits, graft and so-on. This is not news, but a reality.

The NRA historicals can steal land, take property and easily, therefore have other perks too. The NRM knows this and let them go. If your big enough and has the blessing, you can eat UNRA funds, eat NSSF funds and GAVI Funds with no costs or damages. You get to build a mansion and own business, on stolen funds.

That is why statements like today is worthless. Not believable. He has the Public Procurement And Disposal of Public Assets Authority (PPDA), Financial Intelligence Authority (FIA), State House Anti-Corruption Unit, Inspectorate of Government (IGG) and Auditor General (AG). Nevertheless, the big-fish is not getting caught. You have the Police Force and the Judiciary too. Still, all of these cooks cannot make a decent meal. Its a bland mix of watery soup, not even a good broth.

That is why President Museveni. We have to see you fight yourself. Not walk, not talk, but battle your own shadow and that’s not happening. Because, your not a cartoon character, but a self-styled President for Life. Peace.

Opinion: The BBI gets a second life

Who know that Raila Odinga and Uhuru Kenyatta would be such good friends and able to enhance their friendship to this level. Now, its officially gazetted on the 10th January 2020 that the Taskforce for the Building Bridges Initiative (BBI). It has delivered a report, but not amount to much. It’s a dream for some, but nothing has gone anywhere.

The BBI seems like buying Kenyatta and Odinga time. We can wonder for what, but its not to implement anything. It is to secure the shaky Jubilee Alliance and Party. Which is already at war with itself these days. Even if it two years to the next election and no end-game in sight. Except for whose next to eat.

The BBI seems like a forged declaration of promises, dream and ending the stalemate between the two. Why I have little faith in it?

Well, Odinga promised Canaan and the promised land. He ditched that for the BBI. Where he stopped addressing the flaws of the Fresh Presidential Elections and the Courts justifications for those. As they were able to nullify the first ones.

Still, with this deal. He sealed the Presidency and this term. He gave way. Uhuru has paid scraps for a friendly opposition and making National Super Alliance (NASA) fragile. The ODM reign supreme, while the others has gotten little or none. Like Stephen Kalonzo Musyoka has gotten some leafs, but the other principals has been ditched in the fire-sale.

Now, William Ruto and the TangaTanga feels betrayed, as they getting the same attacks, the same treatment as NASA did earlier. The supposed friends and allies of Kenyatta. Still, Kenyatta now values more the BBI, than the previous partners. Who knows why, but the same actions happens now and lack of respect.

It is like BBI is a shield of salvation for the ODM, but it ended the mission. The BBI Report and the Second Round. Is just validating that, as the promises was never kept. Not like the Jubilee are keeping theirs with their ghost projects, grand corruption and dysfunctional Big Four. It all seems like cooked campaigning by Cambridge Analytica, instead of the realpolitik from the Executive and the Cabinet Secretaries.

BBI is a smokescreen and at the same redeeming for the two who did the handshake. The BBI is just buying time. There is no proof of anything. Its all talk and no play. Empty promises and false hope. When you have already sold that before, either as Jubilee or as NASA. The deal is already set in motion.

The Blowing the Budget Initiative (BBI), that’s what it is. If not its the Big-Big Insult (BBI). Peace.

Guinee: Front National pour la Defense de la Constitution – Point-Info de Mi-Journee No. 01 (13.01.2020)

Cote d’Ivoire: Lettre de President Ouattara – Objet: M. Guillaume Soro – Violation des droits et libertes fondsmentaus (11.01.2020)

South Sudan: Rome Declaration on the Peace Process in the South Sudan (12.01.2020)

Memo to Andrew Mwenda: If I am not your side, I’m an extremist then?

I know, I looked up to guys like you, Andrew Mwenda. Back in the day, I would have eaten your words. But with time, I have given up addressing you. Ironically, I do it today, because I got too. 

Your memo: “Memo to People Power: temumanyiira” dated 11th January 2020. Says everything people need to know about you. There are only bones, but no meat anymore. Its all ballistics and flair, but no sense.

He has sympathy, whatever that means, maybe his thoughts and prayers as the police arrests, tear-gas and blocking the People Power from holding Consultative Meetings. His calling them a cult with a cult-leader and calling their supporters intolerant extremists. That shows, his arrogance towards the ones supporting an political alternative to President Museveni and National Resistance Movement (NRM).

What is rare is how the memo is set-up, as it is addressing a statement that was supposed to a quote from Mr. Mwenda. Instead of addressing it with some sense, he attacks the them. He could have said it was false and asked for taking it down. Instead, he went on a minor rant towards the People Power.

Its funny that he ended the memo with this: “If you are desperate for my endorsement, I urge you to cultivate liberal democratic values of tolerance, respect for opposing views and reliable on verifiable facts to inform your opinions” (Mwenda, 11.01.2020).

Andrew, its really rich talking about tolerance and respect of other views. When your saying they are before this: “I have little respect for this cult, especially given its intolerance” and also “Neither do I think People Power can command a large following of Ugandans given its radical extremism” (Mwenda, 11.01.2020).

When you say this about them and claim this about People Power, but asking for tolerance and respect of opposing views. That doesn’t make sense, as your opposing their views and addressing them as radical extremist. Because, Mwenda your calling them out and then asking them to be something fitting you.

The ones who dropped the quote was wrong and misguided. But not like President Museveni and NRM haven’t dropped false propaganda and narratives to the public over the years. Not like you haven’t changed or gone to far either. You call anyone whose not associated with Museveni as extremists and radicals.

They are maybe not your kind, Mr. Mwenda, but do you understand; Why they might see themselves as freedom fighters?  They want to free themselves from the dictatorship. Which is evident by the actions done to them. They cannot even organize without meeting the police or getting arrested.

So, Mr. Mwenda, I would be radical or extremist in your eyes. Because, I am on the other side of the fence. I’m not fancying Museveni nor his kind. As I want to see people really liberated and have real freedom. Not being told by authorities and “high above” what to do. Therefore, your address is extreme in itself.

I wish the old you would see what your saying now. The youngster in you would not spoken like this. Neither will I today, even as disagree with NRM and everything it does. I would still let it speak, but I would not be in your manner. Because, if I am not better than you. Then I am just like you. Peace.

Zimbabwe: Constitutional Amendment No. 2 is a ballad of love to the President

Too much power in one mans hands

Is dangerous

She has never tasted freedom

And all the things

We take for granted

Then she looked at me and said

Son, Is this the end of our suffering?”Lucky Dube – ‘Is This Freedom?’ from ‘Soul Taker’ released: 2001.

The Zimbabwe African National Union – Patriotic Front (ZANU-PF) and President Emmerson Mnangagwa is planning to control more and consolidate more power in the Head of State and the party itself, as they have gazetted the Constitutional Amendment No. 2. It is really a sad reading, as the intent is clear. To give even more power to the President.

They want the President to appoint the two Vice-Presidents and not have a “running mate” in the elections. That the Vice-President will be chosen by the President and appointed by him. Taking away the need for a VP in the elections. Also, giving the authority and the team around more directly taken from the President.

Just like the President can with the change of another clause, be able to appoint 7 Ministers outside of the Parliament, instead of 5, which is limited today. Making more way for possible cronies and loyalists from the outside.

Also, giving the President the authority to appoint vacant judges without public interview procedure. Even if he has to this through Judicial Service Commission (JSC), it still not stopping him from having more power and getting his people easily appointed without the public mechanisms, which was there before.

By just seeing these provisions or clauses in the Constitutional Amendment No. 2. says a lot about what the President and his men wants. This is to consolidate more power to the President and give him power to whose succeeding him and whose his “mates”. This is one more step for a one-man show.

I don’t even need to study the Amendment hard. The focus is clear. Give more power, get more cronies and ensure the judicial appointments are hand-picked by the President. There is nothing else too it.

So, if the Parliament votes this in, then they are all loyal minions of the President and wants to give him power. Because, they hope in the end, they will be compensated for doing so. If they go against him here, he will surely make these people suffer some way or another. Don’t expect him to give them peace of mind, if they don’t give him this.

The public should be worried about clauses in the Constitution, because it gives the President extended powers. It gives him more freedom and liberty to hire his people. He has less public scrutiny. That is a worrying sign. Not like the ZANU-PF is really tested in Parliament, but there was provisions showing something to the public before they we’re appointed.

I cannot see any provision made for the betterment of the Republic, only to empower the President. Nothing else. Peace.