



Insecurite A Beni: Quel Role Pour la MONUSCO – Compendre la Resolution 2463 – Lutala Balthazar Balthazar (28.11.2019)









GENEVA / HARARE (28 November 2019) – Despite the constitutional protection of the right to food and a sophisticated set of human-rights based national laws and policies, man-made starvation is slowly making its way in Zimbabwe, said the UN expert of the right to food after visiting the country from 18 to 28 November 2019.
“More than 60% of the population of a country once seen as the breadbasket of Africa is now considered food-insecure, with most households unable to obtain enough food to meet basic needs due to hyperinflation,” said Hilal Elver, Special Rapporteur on the right to food, presenting a preliminary statement at the end of an 11-day visit.
“In rural areas, a staggering 5.5 million people are currently facing food insecurity, as poor rains and erratic weather patterns are impacting harvests and livelihoods. In urban areas, an estimated 2.2 million people are food-insecure and lack access to minimum public services, including health and safe water.
“These are shocking figures and the crisis continues to worsen due to poverty and high unemployment, widespread corruption, severe price instabilities, lack of purchasing power, poor agricultural productivity, natural disasters, recurrent droughts and unilateral economic sanctions.”
Elver said women and children were bearing the brunt of the crisis.
“The majority of the children I met were stunted and underweight,” she said. “Child deaths from severe malnutrition have been rising in the past few months. 90 % of Zimbabwean children aged six months to two years are not consuming the minimum acceptable diet.
“I saw the ravaging effects of malnutrition on infants deprived of breast feeding because of their own mothers’ lack of access to adequate food.
“In a desperate effort to find alternative means of livelihood, some women and children are resorting to coping mechanisms that violate their most fundamental human rights and freedoms. As a result, school drop-outs, early marriage, domestic violence, prostitution and sexual exploitation are on the rise throughout Zimbabwe.”
Elver said people she met in the drought-affected areas of Masvingo and Mwenezi, located in the driest regions of the country, told her they ate only one portion of cooked maize a day. Women, the elderly and children are barely able to meet their minimum food needs and are largely dependent on food assistance, while most of the men are abroad seeking work, she added.
“Without access to a diversified and nutritious diet, rural Zimbabweans, particularly younger children, barely survive,” she said, adding that the agricultural and food system needs immediate reform.
“I strongly urge the Government to take the necessary measures to reduce the country’s dependence on imported food, particularly maize, and to support alternative wheats to diversify the diet. The Government should create the conditions for the production of traditional seeds to ensure the country’s self-sufficiency and preparedness for the climate shocks that hit the country.”
The Special Rapporteur said the crisis in Zimbabwe’s cities was no less severe than in rural areas.
“I witnessed some of the devastating consequences of the acute economic crisis in the streets of Harare, with people waiting for hours on long lines in front of gas stations, banks, and water dispensaries,” she said.
“The Zimbabweans I spoke to in Harare and its suburbs explained that even if food was widely available in markets, the erosion of their incomes combined with an inflation skyrocketing to over 490%, made them suffer from food insecurity, also impacting the middle-class.
Elver also said that she received “disturbing” information that public hospitals have been reaching out to humanitarian organizations after their own medicine and food stocks were exhausted.
Elver also received indication that the distribution of lands or food had been manipulated for political ends throughout the last two decades, favoring those who support the ruling political party.
“I call on the Government of Zimbabwe to live up to its zero hunger commitment without any discrimination,” Elver said.
Zimbabwe counts amongst the four highest food insecure States, alongside conflict ravaged countries, the expert noted.
“A Government official I met in Harare told me that ‘Food security is national security’. Never has this been truer than in today’s Zimbabwe.
“As food insecurity and land mismanagement increase the risks of civil unrest, I urgently call on the Government, all political parties and the international community to come together to put an end to this spiraling crisis before it morphs into a full-blown conflict.
“Steps could be taken at the national level to respect, protect and fulfill the Government’s human rights obligations, and internationally, by putting an end to all economic sanctions. The extraordinarily resilient people of Zimbabwe deserve no less.”


“The NRM has boycotted the meeting of IPOD scheduled for the handover of IPOD seat from Democratic Party to FDC. This as FDC insists the discussion should focus more on the meaningful dialogue and smooth transfer of power in Uganda” (NBS Television 27.11.2019).
Not to long ago, actually for two IPOD Summits the FDC boycotted these, as they did boycott the first IPOD Summit, as an reaction to the police brutality and harassment from the authorities. The second one was because they didn’t want just a photo-op and a friendly greeting with the President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni.
The IPOD Summits haven’t resolved anything or made any amends with the electoral reform or dialogue between the NRM and the opposition. The IPOD is just a paid journey from the Dutch, to preoccupy the parties on the way to yet another General Election in 20201.
Just a friendly reminder of what NRM said when the FDC boycotted it:
“Kasule Lumumba: NRM is the minority in IPOD. FDC is the leading opposition party. FDC shouldn’t run away from responsibility. NRM remains committed. Come and offer leadership and we work together, Come and show Ugandans that you can lead” (NBS Television, 17.10.2019).
“I have always said FDC is a radical extremist party behaving like a millenarian cult & hostile to dialogue. This was on display yesterday when they boycotted the first IPOD meet. They used to say they would only attend IPOD MEETINGS if Museveni attends. What is their excuse now?” (Andrew Mwenda, 18.12.2018).
“I don’t know why anybody [FDC] who says they are democrats would not like dialogue. I always welcome opportunities for dialogue because when you don’t dialogue, you miss an opportunity to be understood clearly” – President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni at the 12th December 2018 at the Speke Resort Munyonyo
Therefore, I wonder what will be the excuses of the NRM in the upcoming days. One that has already come out, which is unbelievable is that they wasn’t invited. That one is just a lie, I don’t believe that Norbert Mao forgot to send the invitation to the NRM Secretariat. The DP head wouldn’t miss that one out.
It is weird that FDC comes now after boycotting for so long. It seemingly a play for them. It is insincere to take the helm. That it is, after calling out the other parties for being involved in the months ahead of this. The FDC knows this. Yes, this is politics, but the perception of this isn’t brilliant. It is insincere at best.
The FDC should have pulled out, unless it seems they are just in it for the party-funding and possible billions promised after the second summit in May 2019. The environment for the FDC isn’t better. Their party offices has been raided both in Kampala and in the up-country. Not like the FDC leadership is secure and safe for police brutality. Neither is their ability to conduct party activity in general.
What is weird is the NRM who has harassed and diminished the FDC for boycotting from before Christmas last year until the present IPOD takeover. That is very rich of them to not sit in the yellow chairs. Because, its not like the NRM will end up behind bars or get detained for participating. Neither house-arrested nor awaiting court-cases because of their loyalty elsewhere, than the President himself. Since all of them are loyal to him.
I never have believed in IPOD. Just like the Apple IPOD, I believe the relevance is gone and not vital for the changes in the Republic. It is just a tool for the NRM to keep the others in check. The NRM will only use this to settle the score and use the platform to ensure they are following guidelines and supposed protocol. The IPOD will not challenge or have any significant power, as the NRM and the government haven’t given it that.
The IPOD and IPOD Summits are PR stunts and play for the facade. It is weird that the FDC wants to play now. They should have dropped out and been righteous. Instead, they wanted a little spotlight and look decent now. That’s a bit late, but the NRM are totally in the wrong. When they have called the FDC out, but bails out themselves. That proves again the real value of it.
The real value of the IPOD is none, except for the Dutch donors who pays for the “dialogue”. Peace.



“Major fighting took place yesterday in Kusisa (Kalehe territory, South Kivu) between the Congolese army and the CNRD, a Rwandan rebellion that resulted from a split with the FDLR in 2016” (Kivu Security, 27.11.2019).
There are apparently two different views to what happened in Kusisa, Kalehe territory in South-Kivu province. What it says, there are claims of the violence towards civilians in a refugee camp by government soldiers and Rwandan soldiers camouflaged as so in South Kivu. While the Rwandan government claims the militia caused these attacks. The MRCD have already promised to wage war against Kigali, while they are still based in the DRC.
Clearly, they could play for the facade, but we never know in these instances. The MRCD claims a total different picture from the Rwandese, both using the UN documentation, while the DRC reporter states what the FARDC says it does. Therefore, it is hard to know what’s going on. But something is up and civilians are the casualties in all of this.
MRCD Statement:
“On the night of 25 to 26 November 2019, the FARDC (Armed Forces of the DRC), together with the Rwandan soldiers in Congolese army uniform, attacked and destroyed the Rwandan refugee camp in Kalehe territory in South Kivu. The Rwandan Movement for Democratic Change (MRCD-Ubumwe) had nevertheless alerted the International Community of the imminence of these attacks given the encirclement of this camp since 13/11/2019 by members of the RDF (Rwandese Defence Forces) disguised as Congolese soldiers. We denounce the silence and passivity of the International Community before such massacres against the survivors of the genocide perpetrated in Congo by the same troops of General Paul KAGAME in 1996-1998, as proved in the UN Mapping Report: These massacres of refugees are committed with the indifference of the UN military force MONUSCO, which has been present in the DRC since 1999. The MRCD-Ubumwe also recalls that MONUSCO has several soldiers not far from this camp of attacked refugees” (MRCD – ‘Rwandan soldiers in Congolese army uniform, attacked and destroyed the Rwandan refugee camp in Kalehe territory’ 26.11.2019).
Rwandan Embassy in Brussels Statement:
“Recently, and to the knowledge of the Belgian authorities, it has been proven that two politico military platforms named P5 and MRCD operate from the Kingdom of Belgium where some of its leaders are staying, including Paul Rusesabagina, who heads the Rwandan Movement for Peace. Democratic Change (MRCD Ubumwe), Faustin Twagiramungu and Placide Kayumba (Vice President of the United Democratic Forces (UDF) and co-founder of Jambo ASBL). This group meets regularly, signs pacts and raises funds for the sole purpose of overthrowing the Rwandan government by force. The details of the activities of the P5 military branch led by the Rwanda National Congress led by Kayumba Nyamwasa and the FDLR (Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Rwanda) were analyzed in a report by the UN expert group. on the Congo from December 2018. As a reminder, the FDLR are the ideological heirs of the perpetrators of the genocide against the Tutsi in Rwanda in 1994 and since their presence in eastern Congo are responsible for systematic killings and rapes. In spite of these criminal acts, members of the ASBL under Belgian law called “Jambo ASBL”, actively involved in a misinformation campaign against Rwanda, regularly visited the eastern part of the Congo to meet with them. FDLR leaders” (Rwanda in Belgium – ‘Le Rwanda déplore que la presse belge fasse l’écho d’une campagne visant à le déstabiliser’ 27.11.2019).
Reports from the DRC:
“Information confirmed by the FARDC that announce that on the orders of the high military hierarchy, the operational sector Sukola 2 South Kivu and North Kivu, launched this Tuesday, November 26, an offensive against the armed group CNRD with the objective of neutralizing this group armed foreign active on Congolese soil. “For the only day of this Tuesday, November 26, the FARDC have already recovered the localities of Kitindiro, Rutare1 and 2, Bibatama and Nganjo, formerly under control CNRD. The populations of all these localities are asked to remain calm and to dissociate themselves with all these armed groups “, adds captain Dieudonné Kasereka military spokesman of the operation Sukola 2 South South-kivu” (Justin Mwamba – ‘Sud-Kivu : les FARDC récupèrent plusieurs localités jadis occupées par les CNRD à Kahele’ 27.11.2019, Actulite.cd).
We can clearly see that none of them is denouncing the skirmishes, the battles nor the actually fatalities in South Kivu Province. However, the FARDC says its liberated parts of the territory, while the MRCD claims the army did crimes against humanity and went after civilians in a refugee camp. That is not the story from the FARDC. But who would confess that directly? Secondly, what militia doesn’t want goodwill and try to portray their enemies in the worst light? Thirdly, what government doesn’t want to defend themselves, against the ones who want to overthrow it?
That is all reasonable, but, a very important but, someone is lying here. Someone is not coming with a straight face. There is a lie here and I cannot catch it. As there are two much between the lines and that I have no knowledge of. What we do know, is that Rwandan soldiers has been and easily could be in the Kivu provinces. The MRCD and allies are working to get rid of Kagame, that is a mere fact. FARDC has a bad rep together with MONUSCO to not shield citizens. Therefore, there is a lot at stake and also open questions. Neither do I trust the FARDC, the MRCD nor the Rwandan in this matter. Because, they could all be lying. However, there must be truth there somewhere, but I cannot see that either.
That’s because they are all lying and in war, the first thing that is the innocent and the innocence of people. They are all using all means to win. It doesn’t matter which side of the gun you are, as long as your not on the losing side. Because, that means either punishment or death. That’s why all of these will tell stories, will amplify or even spread propaganda for their own narrative. I just don’t know who to believe. That’s my issue. What’s the real issue is that by all accounts, civilians and refugees was in the midsts of cross-fire and certainly someone died because of warlords was busy tormenting the region. Peace.

“My Ministry has issued a number of guidelines on roles and responsibilities of Village and Parish Councils and their Committees while executing their various mandates” (…) “However, despite issuing these guidelines, there is need for an in depth induction for Village and Parish Councils and their Committees. This will be achieved as soon as funds are availed” (Tom R. Butime – ‘ RESPONSE TO A QUESTION RAISED ON FAILURE BY GOVERNMENT TO CARRY OUT ADEQUATE ORIENTATION OF ELECTED LOCAL COUNCILS I AND II’ 26.11.2019).
This is not new, as the Local Councillors election could be like picking a captain this last year (2018) on the football field. The art of peer pressure in the villages and towns all across the Republic. The lack of already having funds for the Local Governments, the lack of oversight and even plans for their operations, as effectively not solving the issues locally. As well, as reports of funding for health care centres, motorbikes and so-on. This is a never ending story of lack of due diligence and unnatural growth of a governing body.
With that in mind, as the government should have been prepared to school and teach them how the game was played. The National Resistance Movement (NRM) wasn’t prepared for this and never seemingly, they are more preoccupied with spending elsewhere than actually governing. That is why the LG isn’t getting the funds its need. Most of it given as donations from donors anyway like 60% of it is based from there. That’s why the LG and Local Councillors 1 and 2 haven’t gotten the support they need. This is after postponing LC Elections for over 18 years and they could have secured this for the post-election last year. Still, they didn’t, because they don’t care.
As we see by one report on the matter:
“Conclusion: Financing of LGs is critical to the success of decentralisation policy in Uganda. However, the current level of LG financing is not sufficient to meet the level of demand for service delivery. There has been a decline in transfers from Central Government to LGs, in relative and per capita terms attributed to recentralisation of functions and resources which by law are mandated to LGs. This study found that that UGX 1.066 trillion will be retained by various MDAs, yet these funds are supposed to be allocated to LGs as mandated under the Second Schedule of the LGA (CAP 243)” (ACODE – ‘Financing Local Governments in Uganda: An analysis of Proposed National Budget FY 2019/20 and Proposals for Re-allocation’, ACODE Policy Research Series No. 92, 2019).
The Local Government is already lacking the resources it needed, the negative spiral of funds is also showing. Therefore, the state could show some little incentive if they cared, but they are more preoccupied with other projects and such. That’s why these governing bodies are coming second. The NRM shows their lack of care, they can easily make new districts, new sub-counties and municipalities, but they cannot find funds to keep the upkeep.
The LG could have been resolved, but the matters are not the concerning for the high above, the State House nor the Office of the Prime Minister. As they are eating the funds that should have gone here, even the army budget could have been cut to fix the issues within the local government. However, that is not happening with this rulers and this elite in power. They are not giving way and actually securing these bodies with the needed funds.
Instead, they are already giving them to little compared to what them need and the elected officials doesn’t get the guidance nor the lessons of protocol they would need to succeed. They are just going more and more steps ahead of failing. If this isn’t a failure, than its a bloody miracle if it actually would work. Because, people are just catching up as best as they can. Peace.




What we are reading today is the results of the illegitimate elections of 2017. The Fresh Presidential Elections, the 26th October 2017, the ones where two dynasties didn’t get together in a free and fair elections. After the first elections of 2017 was on the 8th August 2017, which was happily dismissed and the IEBC had to make new elections in the same year. This was because, the verification of results and ballots was fraudulent. Not that the elections of October 2017 was any better, but the parties didn’t go all through it. Because, Raila Odinga and Uhuru Kenyatta had an handshake on the March 9th 2018.
So, today’s report is about this and the arrangement between the dynasties of Kenyatta and Odinga. They might have made it into a Taskforce, where they are Building Bridges to Unity or Building Bridges Initiative (BBI). This is an initiative made between them and not a direct public inquiry nor one made by the public for the public. This is the political elite finding new steps and statutes to settle grievances between themselves.
I will take some snippets from the 156 pages long report, but will not digress too much into it. As this is made for the parties and their own private interests. This is not for betterment of the Republic, but more for securing the facilitation of the current status quo and the leadership itself. To think otherwise, than the Fresh Presidential Elections of 2017 would have ended differently, just like the August polls did, earlier in the year. That is if this was free and fair, as it was forged results fitting one man and his elite.
“Kenyans have God-given rights that must now stand alongside a Kenyan Charter of Citizen Responsibilities that is inspired by the National Anthem and the National Values, and includes a Patriot’s Pledge to the Nation and the Constitution of Kenya (for schools, workplaces, and official national and public events)” (BBI Report, November 2019).
As a Christian is a nice ideal to involve the faith in this manner, but still for a Republic and a pluralistic society and government, the BBI and the government itself should focus on the rule of law, constitutionalism and this to ensure the respect of laws for the citizens. What they are putting first is the faith and GOD, not what what should be put first from a governing perspective. Unless, the government is a church and a place of faith.
“Prime Minister — Within a set number of days following the summoning of Parliament after an election, the President shall appoint as Prime Minister, an elected Member of the National Assembly from a political party having a majority of Members in the National Assembly or, if no political party has a majority, one who appears to have the support of a majority of MPs” (BBI Report, November 2019).
This is revitalizing the role of Raila Odinga, to have another one position in the cabinet and within government. That is to really have yet another big-man, so they have more leaders within the high-ranks. Instead of directly appointed by the President, the person is there on accord or consensus of the whole Parliament.
“Leader of the Official Opposition — The runner-up of the Presidential election becomes an ex-officio Member of Parliament and the Leader of the Official Opposition if his or her party is not represented in the Government, or of a coalition of Parliamentary parties not represented in the Government” (…) “Question Time — The Opposition will play a key role in Prime Ministerial and
Ministerial Question Time sessions in Parliament. Question Time is an opportunity for MPs to question Government Ministers about matters for which they are responsible” (BBI Report, November 2019).
This is clearly made in the fashion of the Parliament in the United Kingdom. They are clearly wanting the Corbyn Versus Theresa May, they want the public to be squaring off between the opposition MPs and the Cabinet. To answer for themselves and to be accountable. Not only suddenly hold some Press Conference. This would be what this means. While also, letting the loser of the Presidential Election still having a place and a role in Parliament. That is to clearly give way and be viable, still after elections.
“No Kenyan Left Out — The ‘Kubadili Plan’: As part of ensuring that all Kenyans have access to quality services which are foundational to putting people onto the path of shared prosperity, the Taskforce proposes a Kubadili Plan to bring marginalised wards to the level generally enjoyed by the rest of the country. The plan will be to identify the Wards which are most marginalised, at present and historically. Implementation should start with the Wards ranked last. Develop a plan to build schools, health facilities, roads, water, electricity, and police stations, in a way that the people of the whole Ward have access to them; and ensure that the facilities are built in all the Wards within a period of three years” (BBI Report, November 2019).
The ‘Kabadili Plan’ is just what the government is supposed to do, just on Ward level of government. This plan is what the government is supposed to do and isn’t a magic trick. This is just making it into a text and naming it something. The government are supposed to deliver basic needed services and this isn’t rocket science, but apparently the Taskforce see the current state not fit to do this.
“Public Officers should not be in business with the Government — Address conflicts of interest by reducing Public Officer involvement in business with the Government” (BBI Report, November 2019).
Another basic one, as a person is in public office, shouldn’t have conflict of interests nor have the powers to give business advantages because of it. That is why many big-men in the past has given away or let their businesses into trusts, while they been in government. This should also be natural, also show what businesses the public officials, what sort of land and other assets they have. That will implicate them and also where they should recuse themselves from voting or participating in the process.
This is what I found as interesting within the report. It was a lot more, but this will be discussed. We can wonder what implications and what will be implemented by this report? Because, there is very little other than a big hoopla and not so much flash. We have to wonder if this will make any changes, if the Taskforce plans to bring forward Constitutional Amendments and other laws to reinforce what it t states?
That is if, this report has more value, than buying time for Kenyatta and Odinga. Because, unless something of this will be considered. There need to be more than launch and a final delivery of an report. This needs laws, motions and amendments, if they are sincere about what this one says.
Since, there is a lot of words and well-wishes, but not significantly addressed in the Report. They are talking of it in the conclusion, but then they are pushing the recommendations without considering what all might think of these. Some are good, but then again, this was a match between to parties not the whole Republic. Peace.