Ebola virus disease – Democratic Republic of the Congo (03.01.2020)

40 confirmed cases were reported from 10 health areas within five neighbouring active health zones in North Kivu province.

GENEVA, Switzerland, January 3, 2020 – Since the last disease outbreak news published on 19 December 2019, 29 new confirmed cases were reported from 18 to 31 December in the ongoing Ebola virus disease (EVD) outbreak in North Kivu province. The confirmed cases in this week were reported from eight health areas in four health zones: Mabalako (62%, n=18), Butembo (14%, n=4), Kalunguta (17%, n=5), and Katwa (7%, n=2). Three of the four cases reported in Butembo in the past fourteen days are linked to a transmission chain of more than 50 people that originated in Aloya Health Area, Mabalako Health Zone. One individual classified as a relapse case of EVD, infected several other individuals within the family and through nosocomial transmission (for more information, please see the disease outbreak news published on 19 December 2019). In Kalunguta Health Zone, the five cases reported between 24 and 28 December 2019, are a distinct epidemiologically linked chain of transmission, although the source of exposure is currently under investigation.

In the past 21 days (11 December to 31 December), 40 confirmed cases were reported from 10 health areas within five neighbouring active health zones in North Kivu province (Figure 2, Table 1): Mabalako (68%, n=27), Butembo (13%, n=5), Kalunguta (13%, n=5), Katwa (5%, n=2), and Biena (3%, n=1). The majority of the cases (75%, n=30) are linked to known chains of transmission.

As of 31 December, a total of 3380 EVD cases were reported, including 3262 confirmed and 118 probable cases, of which 2232 cases died (overall case fatality ratio 66%) (Table 1). Of the total confirmed and probable cases, 56% (n=1900) were female, 28% (n=953) were children aged less than 18 years, and 168 (5% of all reported cases) were healthcare workers.

Zimbabwe: Statement by the Minister of Industry and Commerce, Honourable Dr. S.L. Nzenza, on the Maize Roller Meal Subsidy Programme (02.01.2020)

Philippines-USA: A tit-for-tat, a diplomatic dispute over one jailbird

We are now seeing the consequences of the financial budget of 20th December 2019 in the United States. Which there was some stipulations, where the United States and the Secretary of State Michael Pompeo will sanction officials connected in the their deemed “illegal” arrest of Senator De Lima.

There is no official stance nor anyone listed in the Philippines, as this is just one statute and one promise. As the Department of State have to prove evidence and be able to connect the dots of the arrest and the charges put on the hostile President Rodrigo Duterte critic, Senator Leila De Lima. With that in mind, it didn’t take long before President Duterte retaliated against the U.S. and the ones sponsoring this sort accusation.

Now we know the deal and it is a reality. The President has already restricted Sen. Dick Durbin, Sen. Partick Learhy and the third Sen. Edward Markey. These are the authors of the amendment, which states this about the Philippines.

Clear as the message sends, the Philippines doesn’t accept being a whipping-boy or one whose getting humiliated by the United States. As they are already on the daily basis now doing human rights violations on their borders, detaining kids, separating kids and toddlers from their parents and not even having hospital conditions for the refugees and asylum-seekers. So in this regard, as there are thousands of lives in jeopardy on the Southern Border of the United States. Maybe, the Senators in the U.S. should focus on them for a minute.

In regards to De Lima, she is most likely in jail because she’s defying the President and got into legal trouble because of that. Just like former Senator Antonio Trilanes too. All who dares to defy to a certain amount of level gets into trouble. One way or another.

What I do like about this, is that the Filipino administration dares to retaliate. Even if it is to opposition Senators in the United States. It would have been more provoking, if the Filipino went after Republicans and the others who voted it in. As the Senate needs Republican support to get it through. Even if this is just one mere amendment.

The U.S. likes to have the upper-hand and expect everyone just to bow down. I like the touch of returning of the favour. Even if it amounts to nothing. Not like Durbin, Learhy or Markey have any investments, anything substantial to gain from the Filipino republic. Still, the sentiment I like. Because, it shows pride and courage of their sovereign state.

While the U.S. are allowed to this, use their legal framework to sanction people. But when they dare another sovereign. Expect to be retaliate against. Not just begging and kneeling underlings asking for mercy. That will not happen from this administration and certainly not from Duterte.

What I really wonder about: Is this really worth it all? Even for criminal injustice? The reality is that the men amending the law in the U.S. doesn’t change the charge nor the incarceration of De Lima. Only amplifying the Filipino to be more hostile. If they wanted legal justice for her, they should maybe have used more diplomatic means. Than, using the sanctions this way.

I might think the charges on De Lima is wrong, but the outcome of using your means this way. Will not do anything constructive. Especially, knowing the administration your dealing with. It is like these naive Yankees didn’t know. Yankee Doodle Ho. Peace.

South Sudan: Ajang Malual Kon – Public Declaration – ‘Joining SPLA/M-IO’ (02.01.2020)

RDC: Hon. Andre Claudel Lubaya – Hommage a un officer du valeur, Mamadou Ndala (02.01.2020)

Amama Mbabazi: The grass wasn’t greener on the other side…

Now matter how you look at it. There is a reason why Amama Mbabazi arrived was at the Kisozi farm in Gombe yesterday. Sitting side-by-side of President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni. Ever since the resignation letter of September 2014. As Amama prepared to challenge Museveni within the National Resistance Movement (NRM) things has gone south for him.

Not like Amama has gotten into trouble like Besigye. Neither did he say that he had left the NRM. He was still a member as he went on with his Presidential Candidate with his pressure group, Go Forward and aligned himself with the The Democratic Alliance (TDA). So, that he was the supposed second option to Museveni. Even as the popularity and the strength in the opposition was all on Besigye.

Still, with that as he walked in the desert. He went days upon end without water. He felt the threat of the state. His people was tear-gassed, the offices of Go Forward was raided and blocked from operation. The consultation meetings was ambushed and sealed off. Youthful supporters and activists was arrested, all of this before the general election of 2016.

Even with all of that, he still until the final day of campaigning was still saying he was an NRM. That shows his loyalty. Even as he was a supposed candidate on the outside of the party. We know he was planning things before and would easily do it again. Just like he did with the NRM Cadre 2014. Evelyn Anite warned about his activities back in 2015 with that group. Therefore, he has proven before that he can light things up. Especially, if it is something in it for him.

Yoweri would enjoy having the services of Amama. His a good organizer and someone whose able to get a machinery going. Especially, if Amama gets some monetary incentives and get options for kick-backs. Mbabazi will serve like a thieving saint, the man of the heart of Mwenda these days. As long as he skims the top of the glass, there will be enough for everyone to drink. That is what Amama does and surely, at this point. Museveni would like to have his brethren back under his wings.

The little rebellion, the failing enterprise of Go Forward/TDA. The mediocre display of trying to gain an advantage and rise as a star in the NRM. Must surely humiliate Mbabazi, who couldn’t even make sense of the games played. He was a pawn seeking a greener pasture. Even if he was eating as there was no tomorrow as the Prime Minister, as the man who secured tenders, looting in the DRC and beyond. Mbabazi had it.

One of the most corrupt leaders in Uganda in living memory. He had everything, risked it all by challenging Museveni. Someone who haven’t lost* an election since taking power. Its hard to believe that Amama didn’t know, as he helped organizing the NRM for plenty of those. Before he had his “independent” run as an NRM member. If there ever was a pawn in the game, he was the one who was the biggest puppet of them all.

With that in mind, let’s say we don’t know what the deal was about yesterday. But he was smug around the President. He delivered some documents and most likely scheming something. If Amama wasn’t, he wouldn’t be true to himself and his own legacy. Peace.

*rigged elections since 1986

Opinion: Commit to the bid, if your stepping down…

An old map from Reliefweb

I have a hard time to celebrate that certain men plans to step down from their Presidency. I know, I should be, but I don’t want to be fooled. During the last end of the decade and year of 2019. The Presidents of Rwanda and Burundi pledged to step down. Said it on various occasions. However, I am not yet buying it.

That the President of Burundi. The man who was a rebel, who has made himself a supreme ruler and been at the helm since 2005. Plus the President haven’t followed the Arusha Accords, he have amended the Constitution to fit his own agenda and he has already held a questionable term, which was validated by his own appointed Constitutional Court. Awaiting a new term this year, as the up-coming elections of 2020 is coming up.

With all that in mind, I have a hard time believing Pierre Nkurunziza of CNDD-FDD and the violent government of his. Will suddenly stop acting, stop ceasing operations and be in the wind. I don’t believe he will be relaxing at a mansion or palace in Gitega. No, it’s not happening, unless he drops an resignation letter, a letter of intent and some sort of decree, proving that the President will not be there after the 2020 elections.

It is not like Nkurunziza understands or has the ability to listen to scrutiny. The ones who stands in his way stops. The ones who pokes fun on painting crayons on his pictures get arrested. Therefore, his not the sort of guy to get tainted or get kind hearted. So, he will struggle as a civilian, who would be questioned for the abductions, killings and the reason why so many opposition members are in exile.

The second one, who I doubt will step down from the throne is Rwandan President Paul Kagame. His been in power forever. First in Ugandan government, before he together with other Rwandan diaspora militia did a coup d’etat and part-take in genocide of 1994. Since then he was the Vice-President and Minister of Defence between 1994-2000. Since 2000 his been the President and by law he can be so until 2034. Therefore, I have little faith of him stepping down.

Well, someone whose elected with 98% in the election of 2017 would most likely not step down. Not someone who has all power consolidated. A man who has the army and the security operations working as clock-work around his orders. Not believing someone who support militias in the Democratic Republic of Congo. Because, of his vicious affairs, I doubt he will jeopardize his place.

This is the sort of man that has ban political satire, because of frail sense of power. So, its not like Kagame has thick skin and can manage critics. That is why his real opposition is either behind bars or in exile.

These sort of gentlemen … isn’t the sort who listen or accept to be humiliated, laughed at or even spoken ill off. They would not like to have tainted legacy, even though that is true. Because, they want to be giants, big-men and remembered like deities. They want to be modern saints, canonized in the Vatican and be living legends.

However, even if they do step-down from being Heads of State. Their legacy will be the bloodshed, the impunity within their republics and their oppressive behaviour. It will not be fantastic speeches, bended knees and other policies.

So now, if they are stepping down. Prove it, show some real backing behind it. Letter of intent. Resignation letter or even groom a successor. Do something, your words have no value, when you have amended the laws to give you ability to stay longer in power. Peace.

Haiti: Ministere de la Justice et de la Securite Publique – Nouveau delai pour obtenir la CIN (31.12.2019)

Cameroon: Biya’s New Years Message is a Stern Warning to the Anglophone Region

For those who persist in going down the wrong road and continue to use violence, we will have no other choice than to combat them in order to protect all our fellow citizens. Our Defence and Security Forces will, once again, perform their duty with restraint, but without weakness. I wish to reassure them of my full support and high esteem” (Paul Biya, 31.12.2019).

You can imagine, the ghost villages, the gigantic amounts of Internally Displaced Persons and people who has lost loved ones. Listening on their radios, hearing the broadcast of their President of the Republic. From the man who has for 37 years been their President and their ruler. Most them known of nobody else, hell, most of them was not even born before that time.

President Paul Biya of Cameroon has some nerve, the man who struggles to walk. The man who stumbles to talk. The jet-setter, the Switzerland bound, Ghost President and globetrotter. That person are sending a warning to the Anglophone regions, the North-West and South-West Regions.

Today, I wish to thank all those who kindly participated in the dialogue, and congratulate its organizers, in particular the Prime Minister, Head of Government” (Paul Biya, 31.12.2019).

He praises the self-imposed Grand National Dialogue, which was a charade and farce. Where he made no astute changes, neither changed the narrative on the ground. As his armies and his soldiers are still beating people to pulp, still sending the young citizens to their graves, while the President and his wife is living life of ancient kings.

Neither the social media nor news outlets can change the outcome of an election, talk less of illegal protests, violence and personal or hate-filled attacks. Remember, I once said “Let’s talk, let’s not fight”. Such is the behaviour of the citizens of a democratic country” (Paul Biya, 31.12.2019).

Certainly, a man of that fashion. Whose used to get away with this behaviour will talk this way. Will says something about the ones going into the wrong path. Like the leadership of Ambazonia, whose behind bars. Or even put Maurice Kamto in his place too and blame Social Media too. That is minor infliction of things, but shows his sentiment.

Not that I blame the old man, well, when he can order the destruction and the steady killings, while having his ministers lying to the international about the state of affairs. Than, you know the man can do anything. He knows this, Paul knows this and abide by it. Biya knows that International Community, the African Union, ECOWAS and everyone else. Will not touch him. His Teflon and nobody, nobody will dare. If they do, it is his own citizens and by decrees, by orders, they will linger in jail on trumped-up charges.

So, Biya with his New Years Message of 2019, sends a stern message for 2020. Not likely he guns will be silent, not likely that the torment nor the vicious attacks on his own citizens will end. No, he will continue, as the only right road is his. That is what he thinks and obliged to think that, but that doesn’t necessary mean its true.

Biya is self-inflicting harm to his own Republic. Blaming others and burning his own regions for his own fanfare. Who knows why, while he wants the glory for stopping the fire. He knows this, but that is what he does. It isn’t wise, neither is smart, but its just malicious. It is evil actions with intent.

At one point, he will loose control of the hornets nest his poking at, sooner or later he might get stung by one. Than, he might get what happen all these years, as his own might caused all this pain. A warning shot now, only shows his heart or lack of it. Peace.

Authorities go cuckoo for Chaka Chaka

It is the last day of 2019. Instead of falling asleep to the diversionary speech or New Years Message of the President. The Republic is under fire for its action towards the big South African Artist Chaka Chaka, whose was supposed to headline the ‘Enkuuka’ Concert at Mengo in honour of Kabaka Mutebi II of Baganda Kingdom. However, that was not to happen. As the Authorities wants to spread a message, that the ones showing Bobi Wine love. Will be meet with hostile actions when they arrive in Uganda.

Clearly, the Uganda Police Force and the Immigration Enforcement trying to deflect the reason for it. As we all can easily glean through the substance of the matter. This is not happening to the artists willingly showing up and taking snaps with the President. However, it happens with someone who has mentioned Bobi Wine in favourable fashion. That is why she got into trouble. Everything else is yet another propaganda assault from the authorities.

Take a look:

This is to inform the public that a security task team in close coordination with immigration officials has this afternoon escorted Ms Mhinga Yvonne, popularly known as Chaka Chaka to Entebbe International Airport, where she boarded her next immediate flight to South Africa, via Kigali” (…) “She was advised together with her promoters to apply for a working visa and avoid the pretence of being an ordinary visitor. The ordinary visa cannot enable her to perform in any income-generating activity within the country” – CP Fred Enanga (31.12.2019).

Revelers gather in Mengo to usher in 2020. Yvonne Chaka Chaka was meant to be headlining the annual ‘Enkuuka’ concert but unfortunately she was deported earlier due to lack of a working permit, police said” (NBS Television, 31.12.2019).

After all of this, the singer claims everything is well with her in taped video leaked online without saying her location. What we do know is that this has taken away the headliner of a New Years Concert. Most likely because of the fear of her showing Bobi Wine more love. Since that is embarrassing for the authorities. However, with the blocking of her to even be on the stage. They have embarrassed themselves, because the President is naked.

The advisors, the handlers of the President is all going cuckoo over this. They are eating their own insane idea. It is the worst sort of idea for a meal, worse then whatever make-believe meat plate some vegans are eating. This is so disgusting, that they cannot really justify it, but they have to eat it still. If they think it is brilliant. Than, if they have had some wisdom, they would revoke this order and fix it. Even damage the hurt.

Instead, they want to tell the whole continent of Africa. The whole world, how afraid Museveni is of the influence of Bobi Wine. That they are willing to be so stupid…. So stupid, that most toddlers would sound like Einstein in these matters.

If the Ugandan authorities wanted to look Pan-African and non-sectarianism, than they wouldn’t have done this. Alas, they want only praise of their master and everyone else supposed to do so. That’s why Chacka Chaka got deported and ordered so.

This how you “go cuckoo over cocoa puffs” or the new Ugandan edition: Go cuckoo over Chaka Chaka. Peace.