Part III: There is a silent War going on in Beni, in the province of North Kivu; this is in the DR Congo!

Now after two days of Demonstrations in Beni and also demonstrations in Butembo in the Province of the North Kivu. This is happening as the ADF/ADF-NALU is causing more casualties, more fatalities, as the citizens doesn’t feel secured by the army nor the peacekeepers (MONUSCO). All of this in a region and a province that has been battling militias for two decades. There been several of militias in the region supported by foreigners in Rwanda and Uganda. These been supported with reinforcement, with ammunition and training across the borders.

Therefore, the reality of North Kivu province is dire. Not like the peacekeepers nor the army has any control. The numbers over the last two years are tragic. So many innocent lives taken by the means of insurgents and lack of responsibility from the powers in Kinshasa. There is a lack of will, to support and be there for the civilians in North Kivu. If the army and the Republic cared, they would have tackled this head-on. As this is years and years on end.

The numbers of killings reported by UN Experts on the DRC in June 2019. The UN reports reported there was 78 killed in 2018 in the Beni region, by April 2019 there was reports of 121. This means the UN has registered 199 deaths in between 2018 to April 2019. That is 16 months and that 16 people a month on the regular. This being both killings of MONUSCO Peacekeepers, FARDC soldiers and also civilians. Therefore, this is a lot of casualties in just one region.

I don’t have verified numbers between April and November 2019. Which means there is most likely more casualties and more fatalities, which isn’t recorded or been reported en-mass. That would have shown the whole picture. So, I will end on the recent month, this November, but the UN Experts Report and this shows the amounts of killings and systematic it is. If we would for argument sake, say that the fatalities continued in the same fashion as it has been from January 2018 to April 2019. With 16 per month and it continued up to November 2019. That means There is another 128 more fatalities, but my reckoning that’s just mere speculation. As I don’t have any numbers in the time between April and November.

Well, with that being said, November 2019 has been bloody too. There is report of a total of 69 dead after skirmishes of ADF in the Beni region. Beni is burning and steadily so. The FARDC and MONUSCO isn’t able to beat the ADF/ADF-NALU.

Skirmishes from ADF this November:

Since 30 October 2019, the Congolese government has launched military operations in North Kivu, in the Beni territory, with the aim of neutralizing the Allied Democratic Forces (ADF), one of the deadliest armed groups in eastern DRC, which emerged from an Islamist rebellion of Ugandan origin. Since then, ADF attacks have been ongoing on the outskirts of the city of Beni. The attacks target the Congolese armed forces but also civilians, with multiple brutal killings. On 5 November, ten civilians including six women, were killed in an attack in Kokola. This first mass killing has been followed by many other abuses (murders, kidnappings, house fires, looting, etc.) on a daily basis since 15 November 2019. Some AFD attacks against the Congolese forces are claimed by Islamic State Central Africa Province (ISCAP)” (European Commission’s Directorate-General for European Civil Protection and Humanitarian Aid Operations – ‘DRC – Rapid and intense deterioration of the humanitarian situation in North Kivu, Beni (UN, DG ECHO)’ 20.11.2019).

There is a silent war going on. It is not causing a stir, not making headlines or shaking the heads of state. Not even making President Felix Tshisekedi, neither gets actions of Vital Kamerhe or Prime Minister Sylvestre Ilunga Ilukamba. The FCC-CACH is more involved in eating and looting, than governing apparently. Since, they are not acting upon this nor creating the space to create peace in North Kivu. They are not even trying and there is a lack of will.

This silent war got to stop, but there is no signs of it. Since, it seems like the merchants of deaths continue to roam this region and the allegiance to illegal activity counters the possibility for a peaceful development. Peace.

Mr. White falls as the NRM doesn’t need him anymore…

Just like last years fall of Abdallah Kitatta, the ring-leader of Boda Boda 2010. Today, the Court Bailiffs confiscated cars and furniture from the house of tycoon and NRM associate Brian Kirumira aka Bryan White. It is now reported that White is currently detained at Central Investigation Division (CID) of the Police Force.

Again, a former big-man and a useful tool of the regime falls. That happens quickly, as the state is impounding his wealth and his cars. They are taking his valuable assets, while stripping of his title as city tycoon. Because, surely the wealth was built on sand and not on mountain soil for ending up at the CID.

Kitatta thought he was untouchable, as he had allies within the ranks of the NRM and had a hot-line to the President. Alas, that was worthless, the minute the President and the Inspector General of Police didn’t need his services anymore.

Now, Bryan White, the man of the Foundation, the man of NRM Youth Fund Money and money man is behind bars and facing criminal justice. Suddenly, his time in the spotlight. His time touring around with socialites like Zari. Now, that is coming to halt and a standstill.

There are claims that Kirumira aka Mr. White has gained his money through channelling drugs, the second is his mother married a rich Italian real-estate guy and he inherited this money. We don’t know where it came from, but as a suddenly overnight rich-man. There will be speculations, as he has not owned famous businesses nor have the Sudhir Ruparelia standing in society either.

That’s why, the political connections and the social media presence was needed for Mr. White. More, than what he could enforce or do. That’s why his in trouble now, because his not needed currently by the authorities.

Bryan White is a lost soul now. Just like Kitatta his not useful for the NRM anymore. White couldn’t even bribe the voters of Arua in 2018. Mr. White was just a fading star, someone who was supposed to do something with the youth, but now the Butchaman, Full Figure and Catherine Kusasira are doing his thing.

That’s why his Foundation and everything around him falls apart. He didn’t build this on real funds. Him posing with on Facebook and on Social Media steadily. Like his a proud billionaire or millionaire. Which he cannot be, because the courts are today seizing his assets, his expensive cars and valuables. That wouldn’t be done if he really was rich.

White shows his fraud, which has been supported by the authorities, but these people doesn’t need him now. That’s why his gone from a star into oblivion. CID has him now and the deteriorating state of affairs is obvious. Peace.

RDC: Reveil pour une Dynamique du Changement et Plus – Communique Officiel (22.11.2019)

The Calvary have besieged and house-arrested Betty Nambooze MP!

Five patrol vans and dozens of Police and army men sorround my home…..Am told that the number is five times bigger at my other home where I had organised a Press conference for today. At both my homes, police has set up heavy barricades disallowing any movement in or out. UGANDANS are getting used to tyranny…grave actions of human rights abuse and persecution are mented out on individual activists but because they have been happening for long…it has more or less become a way of life and its normal….other people even have the audicity to mock the victims!” (Betty Nambooze, 22.11.2019).

The Democratic Party Member of Parliament for Mukono Muncipality, Betty Nambooze was from early morning under house-arrest. This happens as the MP wanted to have a signature drive in the district for the People’s Government ICC Petition.

Therefore, the state is using their police and their resources to stop the opposition from doing their work. By illegally arresting her and keeping her home in Mukono under siege. The government are so afraid of the popularity of the ICC petition among the public. That they have to stop her from doing this in Mukono and the Greater Kampala area.

If the NRM and the government doesn’t fear the ICC petition, maybe it should ridicule the assessment and the things it alleges. Instead, they are amplifying the evidence and the case itself. By using state law-enforcement to illegal detain an MP in her own home. This without any warrant nor court orders. She is proven guilty, before she was proven innocent.

That is the Police Force ways in the Republic. Where opposition leaders and MPs are more criminal, than violent gangs and killers itself. They are monitored and detained at will. This house-arrest of Nambooze is another proof of that.

Nambooze didn’t even need to do more, than announce the signature drive in Mukono district to get this into trouble. The authorities really doesn’t care or has no issues taking the liberty, to away the liberty and freedoms of its citizens at any given time.

Today it was Nambooze, tomorrow it might be someone else. Peace.

EFF Student Command statement on its eternal contribution to economic freedom in South Africa, to EFF and the world at large (21.11.2019)

United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) Chief Urges Parties to Accelerate Efforts to Implement Peace (22.11.2019)

The Special Representative of the Secretary-General and Head of UNMISS has urged parties to the peace deal to accelerate their efforts to fully implement the agreement so that a transitional government can be formed. rAt a press conference in Juba on November 20, 2019, David Shearer said the key ingredient needed to progress peace in South Sudan is political will. r“If parties want to fully implement the agreement and form a transitional government, they can, if that will exists,” he said. rProgress is also needed to reunify forces so that parties have the trust and confidence needed to join a transitional government, negotiation and political settlement of the states and boundaries issue is required and steps must be taken to resolve the status of Opposition Leader, Dr. Riek Machar, so that he can travel freely to Juba for peace talks. rThe SRSG also recommended that a trust fund or similar mechanism with independent oversight be set up to monitor the use of resources being used to implement the agreement.rUN Photo: Isaac Billy

The head of UNMISS urged parties to accelerate efforts to implement the peace agreement and detailed areas that he believes needs to be urgently progressed.

JUBA, South Sudan, November 22, 2019 – In Pibor, thousands of people watched as their homes were destroyed and crops washed away by heavy rains over the past few weeks.

Residents of this community in the Jonglei region of South Sudan are among 900,000 people affected by widespread destruction caused by flooding. An emergency humanitarian response is underway, but the devastation has exacerbated already immense human suffering caused by the five-year long civil war.

The Special Representative of the Secretary-General David Shearer highlighted the plight of those affected by the downpours. At the press conference in Juba, he also thanked donors for contributing millions of dollars to the aid effort.

However, he noted that, while the water will subside, real relief for the people of South Sudan will only come when durable peace is achieved.

A peace deal was signed in September 2018. The ceasefire brought a welcome reprieve from the political violence that has plagued the country since 2013. However, implementation of the agreement has been slow and, earlier this month, parties delayed the formation of a transitional government for a further 100 days, on top of a previous six-month extension.

“The extension has eased some anxiety – at least temporarily – because the ceasefire will be preserved, and the implementation of the agreement can continue,” said David Shearer. “But, at a grassroots level, some people are expressing disappointment, and even anger at the further delay. They told us that they are frustrated by what they see as a failure to unite the country despite the promises made and they are beginning to feel disillusioned.”

The head of UNMISS urged parties to accelerate efforts to implement the peace agreement and detailed areas that he believes needs to be urgently progressed.

“First, and most importantly, the key ingredient that is needed is political will. If the parties want to fully implement the agreement and form a transitional government, they can, if that will exists,” he said. “Second, on the reunification of forces, we need a substantial amount of progress to give all parties trust and confidence coming into a transitional government. The progress made will be a measure of the parties’ commitment to peace.”

Other issues highlighted by the Special Representative are the need for negotiation and political settlement of the number of states and their boundaries, and for steps to be taken to resolve the status of Opposition Leader Dr. Riek Machar, so that he can travel freely to Juba for peace talks.

The matter of resources needed to implement the agreement is also a major talking point among South Sudanese.

“We hear different figures from different sources about how much funding has been released,” said David Shearer. “Transparency is urgently needed…Essentially we believe a trust fund or something similar with independent oversight is needed.”

Such a mechanism would enable accountability and provide reassurance that supplies purchased are reaching cantonment sites. This is important because troops from the various armed forces are gathering at sites across the country, but a lack of food and medicine at some locations is giving them no choice but to leave and find somewhere else where their basic needs are met.

Mr. Shearer highlighted the critical role of the guarantors, Uganda and Sudan, in continuing to show strong leadership in keeping the parties on task.

He said the formation of a transitional government is important because it signals the beginning of preparations for elections.

“Elections provide the opportunity to resolve differences through democratic rather than violent means. They give citizens the right to select their own leaders and hold them to account,” said David Shearer. “That will, however, require political space – the freedom for parties to campaign, organize and, even, criticize. That environment does not yet exist.”

He added that there is a palpable desire for peace in communities across the country. People’s expectations are high because they want the opportunity to rebuild their lives and enjoy the prosperous future that they fought so hard for when they won independence eight years ago.

“Those expectations must be met in 2020,” he said. “The clock is ticking.”

Opinion: RDCs getting cars isn’t governing, but a cheap trick!

The Minister for Presidency, Esther Mbayo has given out 65 cars to Resident District Commissioners (RDCs) from different regions to improve on service delivery. The RDCs who received the cars on Thursday constitute 50% of the total number of Resident District Commissioners currently deployed in the country” (Muhamad Matovu – ‘Minister Mbayo Gives 65 Cars To RDCs From Different Regions’ 22.11.2019).

There are 135 districts, which is operative in the Republic. This is November 2019. There will come more districts in 2020 and so-on. As the Republic is made into smaller and smaller units as political favours and for personal gains of the political elite. That is well-known, as well as a measure done to establish good grounds of new constituencies with no voting history ahead of any given election.

With this in mind, there is an up-coming election in 2021. It is not the first time the National Resistance Movement (NRM) run government have given cars to its officials. They are not only giving that to the MPs and the cabinet, but also anyone in association with the State House. Therefore, the State House and the Parliament should have a car-lot and a car-dealership, if they were supposed to run it smoothly and cheaper.

Because, back in 2015, the state bought 111 cars for District Chairpersons. Therefore, this sort of enterprise happens on near-regular basis. Just as the state bought cars for the CPC in Parliament in this calendar year. So, this is a business the state knows and deals with a lot.

The special thing about this, is that service deliver is important with a car. Not with a mandate or actual factual work that the RDCs do. The Residential District Commanders, the ones overseeing and oversight of the government works in the districts. This is 65 cars and in total, that is 50% of the appointed RDCs. This means there is 130 districts who has RDCs by what the Mbayo states. That means the state lacks funds, manpower and appointed leadership for 5 districts alone. Which is a rare move.

The President has the opportunity to give broader mandate, to give funds and opportunities to the RDCs to actually do more. But thinking a car would make a big difference is naive. As they have the same mandate, the same lacking structure and weak local government. Just today, the President and the state gives state officials cars, instead of building viable institutions.

The state is acting like a car dealership, not a governing institution nor following up on obligations in the districts. This is a cheap ploy for poor districts, for lacking funds and for not investing in all the created micro local-government units, which is now 135 districts and so-on. Where the RDCs and others has supervision and mandates to work. Therefore, there should be more than cars and more than a quick fix, which this is and nothing else.

To buy 65 cars will not fix the districts, it will only give for a short amount of time, mobility for some few persons in association with the RDCs. It doesn’t make the roads being built, schools being furnished nor town halls run properly. That is done over budgets, policies and actual governing being done.

To govern is an art and giving away cars isn’t building a nation, it is only cheap fix. You don’t give an alcoholic an beer, you take them to rehab and stops the availability to beer. Instead, here the state gives another beer and hope that it doesn’t catch on. Sooner or later, these cars will have a breakdown. As the cars are hit by driving miles upon miles every year.

Therefore, this isn’t it. Other than a rundown, over used idea, which isn’t scratching the surface. Peace.

Uganda-Rwanda Tensions XVIII: Uganda Media Centre – Press Statement on Fabrication of the alleged RNC Committee in Uganda (22.11.2019)

RDC: Ministere des Classes Moyennes, Petites et Moyennes Enterprises et Artisanat – Communique de Presse (22.11.2019)

South Sudan: SPLM/A-IO – Press Release – On the Statement of the AU Ambassador to South Sudan (22.11.2019)