Fatal Protests in Kampala: David Kibuuka died as a result of Police Brutality

Police have killed David Kibuuka, a resident of Kabowa in Kampala when they shot at the protestors who attempted to force their way into the premises of Shreeji Stationers 2009, whose owners they blamed for blocking roads” (New Vision, 26.11.2019).

This is yet another person whose life got taken by the authorities, because they can use live-bullet,s tear-gas and do whatever they can to stop people from industrial action or protests. Demonstrations are brutally shut down. Today, was yet another day of this in the Republic. This is not new, but an affect of the political landscape in Uganda.

The village publicist and resident David Kibuuka was wearing a placard and was on the streets, as the Police Officer was using arms, which killed him on the streets. This as there was protests happening, as the demonstrations was happening on the Wankuluku road in Rubaga Divison, as there are an factory planning to close the road and the water channel there.

That’s why the Kampala Metropolitan Police came with full force from the closest police post in Rubaga Division. He was shot while covering this demonstration there. That was clearly to much for the authorities.

This is really sad, that David had to loose his life over this. That the authorities had to take it, while he was covering and participating as a citizen as a part of a protest. Because, it is not like the authorities are listening to local grievances by email, letters or such. Since this is the only way to show the authorities how the feel.

David didn’t deserve this, neither does anyone else. This is brutality and impunity of the state at its worse. If this was an illegal activity, they could have answered with other means. Instead, they are coming with brutal force, which is fatal. Peace.

Kampala Metropolitan Police: Press Statement (26.11.2019)

South Sudan: The Position of the Government of the Republic of South Sudan on the Formation of the Revitalized Transition Government of National Unity (26.11.2019)

Burundi: Ministere de la Securite Publique et de la Gestion des Catastrophes – Communique (26.11.2019)

Communique Officiel de l’Etat Major du FDPC: Dementi d’information non fondee (24.11.2019)

A look into the UN Interim Report of November 2019 on South Sudan

Today, I went through the “Interim report of the Panel of Experts on South Sudan submitted pursuant to resolution 2471 (2019)”, which was interesting to say the least. Especially, considering the United States is backing away. They are dispatching their ambassador and dropping out of the picture. While the Troika partners haven’t supported the US nor shown any significant interest in the sudden moves. Neither has there been any big-talks about the new US sanctions on South Sudanese officials and such. Therefore, this report sets the standard, as we are seeing the hundred days of delay to implement the revitalized peace agreement of 2018. Which has been postponed twice and surely, will need more time. Even if the supposed allies are determined to push it through without any consideration on the affects on the ground.

This is why the UN Experts Panel Report is important. As it shows what they are considering the issues at this very moment. It is compelling and telling. This is not the biggest report, neither the most shocking one either. This is a straight forward UN report with very little left to imagination.

I’m just leaving down here a few figments of the UN Report. To show to what extent that the UN experts see as the issues and the unresolved matters in South Sudan.

The Panel assesses that Mr. Kiir is unwilling to alter the current situation of states and boundaries because changes would displease various sectors of his ethnic Dinka power base and also limit the allotment of local administration posts to government loyalists. Meanwhile, Mr. Machar is aware that entering the Revitalized Transitional Government of National Unity with no government concessions on this issue risks alienating significant portions of his constituency. In particular, these include supporters outside the core Nuer base of SPLM/A-IO, such as the Shilluk under the leadership of General Johnson Olony, Fertit communities and most of the forces still loyal to SPLM/A-IO in the former Eastern Equatoria, Central Equatoria and Western Equatoria States. In this case, SPLM/A-IO has already lost many supporters to one of the non-signatory armed groups, NAS, which is led by General Thomas Cirillo Swaka” (UN – ‘S/2019/897’ 2019).

On the basis of conversations with political and military representatives of the various signatories to the Agreement, including the Government, the Panel assesses that some of the outstanding issues will take months to resolve. For example, the creation of the 83,000 strong necessary unified forces is far behind schedule. By 7 October 2019, only 7,474 SSPDF personnel had been registered, compared with about 32,000 opposition fighters“ (UN – ‘S/2019/897’ 2019).

Mr. Kiir has exhibited no intention of relinquishing key security powers retained by the National Security Service, which continues to operate unchecked. As the Panel has previously reported, the Director General of the Internal Security Bureau, Lieutenant General Akol Koor Kuc, has continued to suppress dissenting voices with no regard for legal due process (see sect. IV)” (UN – ‘S/2019/897’ 2019).

Uganda has inconsistently engaged in the South Sudan mediation process. When it does, the Panel notes that it has emboldened the hard-line positions of the incumbent Government. Furthermore, the Panel has also corroborated information that the Uganda People’s Defence Forces are inside the territory of South Sudan, further complicating the Ugandan role in pushing for the implementation of the Agreement (see sect. III)” (UN – ‘S/2019/897’ 2019).

These few figments shows a dire reality, which only scratches the surface of what is ahead of the Republic. There is no short-cuts and no easy way out. Even as the stakeholders, the mediators and everyone involved got to see this. Even as the US is bailing out like a spoiled brat for not getting their way. Like they don’t know what has happen over the years, like they haven’t followed the decades of liberation battle, than after liberation the prolonged civil war. It’s like they think can fix that in year. Which is dangerous thinking, but shows how bad they are at diplomacy and negotiations at the moment.

However, the UN Report is really saying some things, which is vital. That the President Kiir haven’t held his bargain and given away powers. Tried to give way or shown the needed steps for progressing the implementation of the revitalized agreement. Machar of SPLM/A-IO has also shown reluctant movements of his forces and his team, as he is afraid of losing foothold in his strongholds of the Republic. Therefore, the half-baked approach of both parties are undermining the process of implementation.

What was more striking is that the supposed mediator of Entebbe and Uganda are still having forces within the Republic. His also backing one party, which is favourable for the neighbour. This is yet another time, the Ugandans are violations of the sovereignty and a peace agreement. While the government has no issues of silencing dissidents and not following up on requests of human rights violations nor getting steps of helping the refugees elsewhere. All of these are warning signs, but the stakeholders, the leaders themselves and the ones who wants to be statesmen has to step up and make the plate. So, that they can serve the public what it need, a meal and safety, not more war-games and looting. That will not be easy for former war-lords, but if they will be favourable remembered, this is the best time as ever to do that.

Conclusion:

By focusing on elite-level compromise and a deadline for the formation of the Revitalized Transitional Government of National Unity, this approach has favoured the absence of war over building the conditions for durable, inclusive and genuine peace for the millions of exhausted civilians. Regional and international mediators should focus on facilitating a return to constructive and inclusive dialogue and to the letter of the Agreement, which is the only agreed framework for peace” (UN – ‘S/2019/897’ 2019).

This conclusion says it all and what has been the point of it all. Instead of making something genuine, the leaders have bought time. They have tried to buy time to re-up, instead laying the groundwork for something sustainable. To build that will take time and effort, this will not be built in a 100 days. Even if one part of the Troika believes that, which is foolish at best.

The South Sudanese needs time, they need time to continue their pursuit and finds ways to lay down their arms. That will not be easy, it will cost, but if we are just bargaining for cease-fires over sustainable peace. We will not end anywhere else, than a new cycle of warlords and a never ending story of endless suffering in the hands of haste. A haste that we could have been avoided. Because, some gentlemen wanted to eat all the spoils. Peace.

Opinion: CCM had to “win” these elections… they ran against no-one!

The Chama Cha Mapundzi (CCM) won the local government elections on the 24th November 2019, They got the favourable numbers of 99,9%, but 5 million people in big city centres there was no elections. Secondly, the Ministry in Charge of the Election and the Commission looking over the candidates for the elections disqualified 96% of ACT Wazelado candidates for the elections, while Chadema had 94% of its candidates disqualified for the elections. This means the two big opposition was discredited by the authorities, before the polls even started. That’s why they boycotted these polls.

Most of the candidates ran unopposed, the ones could have ran against was disqualified earlier in the month. This is a clear message from the CCM, that they are not really allowing Multi-Party Democracy. This from the same authorities challenging and arresting opposition MPs and also blocking rallies. The government are stopping press conferences of the opposition and rallies too. They cannot run their own party work without getting a go sign from the authorities. That’s why there was no possible way anyone, but CCM could win this.

The CCM and the United Republic of Tanzania have no won an election in 2019 with the amazing number of 99,7%. Which is really not an victory in hindsight, not even while the polls are going-on. Because there was no official candidates to oppose the ones running for the government party. All of them was just doing their duty and representing the CCM. No one had the real opportunity to stand up to them.

So, if the CCM celebrates this after disqualifying all the candidates of the opposition and making them boycott it. Yes, there was some other opposition parties standing with a few candidates, but nothing, which really imposed any threat to the hegemony of the CCM. That would be a lie, the CHADEMA and the ACT Wazelado could have challenged the CCM. But they boycotted, because there was no real competition or fair levelled playfield.

This was for the CCM to win, they couldn’t loose. The results are in the pudding. The only way they could have botched this, if they put forward dead people or ineligible candidates, which they didn’t. That’s why they won.

There will be no fanfare, will be no salutes, only a deep sigh of hurt and for some a relief. That this is over. The CCM shown its true face and there is no facade anymore. They are not even trying. Peace.

South Sudan: National Dialogue Leadership, Steering Committee & Secretariat – The Communique of the Business Community Conference (22.11.2019)

RDC: CENCO – Appel de la Conference Episcopale Nationale du Congo sur la Situation Socio-Securitaire a Beni et a Minembwe (25.11.2019)

Central Bank of Kenya: Monetary Policy Committee Meeting (25.11.2019)