Somalia: Famine looms in Somalia, but many ‘hunger hotspots’ are in deep trouble (21.09.2022)

The number of people facing life-threatening levels of hunger worldwide without immediate humanitarian aid, is expected to rise steeply in coming weeks, the UN said on Wednesday, in a new alert about looming famine in the Horn of Africa and beyond.

NEW YORK, United States of America, September 21, 2022 – In Somalia, “hundreds of thousands are already facing starvation today with staggering levels of malnutrition expected among children under five,” warned the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and the World Food Programme (WFP).“Large-scale deaths from hunger” are increasingly likely in the east African nation, the UN agencies continued, noting that unless “adequate” help arrives, analysts expect that by December, “as many as four children or two adults per 10,000 people, will die every day”.

Complex roots

In addition to the emergency already unfolding in Somalia, the UN agencies flagged 18 more deeply concerning “hunger hotspots”, whose problems have been created by conflict, drought, economic uncertainty, the COVID pandemic and Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

Humanitarians are particularly worried for Afghanistan, Ethiopia, South Sudan, Somalia, and Yemen, where a record 970,000 people “are expected to face catastrophic hunger and are starving or projected to starve or at risk of deterioration to catastrophic conditions, if no action is taken”, the UN agencies said.

This is 10 times more than six years ago, when only two countries had populations as badly food insecure, FAO and WFP noted, in a new report.

Urgent humanitarian action is needed and at scale in all of these at-risk countries “to save lives and livelihoods” and prevent famine, the UN agencies insisted.

Harsh winter harvest

According to FAO and WFP, acute food insecurity around the world will worsen from October to January.

In addition to Somalia, they highlighted that the problem was also dire in the wider Horn of Africa, where the longest drought in over 40 years is forecast to continue, pushing people “to the brink of starvation”.

Successive failed rains have destroyed people’s crops and killed their livestock “on which their survival depends”, said FAO Director-General QU Dongyu, who warned that “people in the poorest countries” were most at risk from acute food security that was “rising fast and spreading across the world”.

FAO’s QU calls for massive aid scale-up

Vulnerable communities “have yet to recover from the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic are suffering from the ripple effects of ongoing conflicts, in terms of prices, food and fertilizer supplies, as well as the climate emergency,” the FAO chief continued.

He insisted that “without a massively scaled-up humanitarian response” to sustain agriculture, “the situation will likely worsen in many countries in the coming months”.

Echoing that message, WFP Executive Director David Beasley appealed for immediate action to prevent people dying.

“We urgently need to get help to those in grave danger of starvation in Somalia and the world’s other hunger hotspots,” he said.

Perfect storm of problems

“This is the third time in 10 years that Somalia has been threatened with a devastating famine,” Mr. Beasley continued.

“The famine in 2011 was caused by two consecutive failed rainy seasons as well as conflict. Today we’re staring at a perfect storm: a likely fifth consecutive failed rainy season that will see drought lasting well into 2023.”

In addition to soaring food prices, those most at risk from acute food insecurity also have “severely limited opportunities” to earn a living because of the pandemic, the WFP chief explained, as relief teams brace for famine in the Somali districts of Baidoa and Burhakaba in Bay region, come October.

Below the “highest alert” countries – identified as Afghanistan, Ethiopia, Nigeria, South Sudan, Somalia and Yemen – the joint FAO-WFP report notes that the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Haiti, Kenya, the Sahel, the Sudan and Syria are “of very high concern”, in addition to newcomers the Central African Republic and Pakistan.

Guatemala, Honduras and Malawi have also been added to the list of hunger hotspot countries, joining Madagascar, Sri Lanka and Zimbabwe.

Barriers to aid

Humanitarian assistance is crucial to save lives and prevent starvation, death and the total collapse of livelihoods, FAO and WFP insist, while highlighting chronic access problems caused by “insecurity, administrative and bureaucratic impediments, movement restrictions and physical barriers” in 11 of the 19 hotspot countries.

This includes “all six of the countries where populations are facing or are projected to face starvation…or are at risk of deterioration towards catastrophic conditions”, they said.

Opinion: Some says War has returned to Europe [and I say it was exported but now came home to roost]

It been a long time since the Yugoslavian war in the 1990s. That was the last big-war and conflict, which the world powers came into play and fought on separate sides. As all the Slavic people of region fought for their statehood and such. Which in the end has ended up on in several of independent nations, but has since then been at peace.

Alas, there haven’t been a moment where the European powers haven’t been involved or participated elsewhere since then. They have either done that by proxy, by exporting military weapons or equipment or themselves participated in North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) operations or invasion. If not, it has directly invaded or made itself impose it’s power onto a nation. Therefore, it has never ceased to use weapons and war. The only difference, it has happen far away and for other means.

The United States has supported wars, been the main aggressor or the initiator in several of conflicts. While United Kingdom has participated directly too. Other European nations has been parts of coalition of a willing. Therefore, we know they are willing wage war and has done so too. This been done over years and the conflict ever ceasing. Even after they are leaving. The parties are still unresolved and the conflicts persist.

So, when I hear again and again that the war returned to Europe. I am saying “yes it did, but it was already here”. What I mean by that… the Europeans has exported the wars. They have supported proxies, which has fought their wars. Europeans has sent brigades, operative armies elsewhere and done warfare. This being as part of United Nations Peacekeeping Missions or directly work for own interests in former colonies.

That’s why the European nations haven’t been all peaceful. They have used arms, weapons and military equipment all across the globe. They have traded and earned profits on wars. This has been done and these wars has only been bylines or parts of bulletins in the tabloids. While bloodshed, massacres and whatnot happens in these conflicts. That is just what’s going on. If it is in Yemen, Somalia, Democratic Republic of Congo or in the Central African Republic. These things can be prolonged and the conflict is a very valuable commodity. A commodity and a business, which is a never ending ride of profits, both in weaponry and resources, which becomes easily accessible when you have the right leader serving any given territory. Therefore, these sorts of moves has happened and the West has gladly joined the ride.

This is why the powers of the West, United States and others has supported the end of certain leaders. In such a fashion, that it get rid of a popular leader who intends to nationalize or reform the mineral extraction industries and instead get a puppet regime there. While using armies and support to keep it up. A war for the interests of the West and not for the nation at hand. Just like it accepted to use illegal means to overthrow Morales in Bolivia. That sort of play fitted the U.S. and Washington D.C. and it could have been much more bloody. However, that’s how it does it and we cannot deny this fact in 2022.

Yes, Russia’s imperialism in Ukraine is wrong. Nevertheless, that doesn’t justify the imperialism of United States or any of it’s NATO allies either. What the USA did in Iraq or Afghanistan should be addressed. Just like whatever war-crimes that all parties have possibly done in Syria. The same can be said about the parties involved Yemen or Ethiopia for that matter. All war-crimes should be punishable and be investigated by the same International Court. Not just go after Russia now. The other nations and the leadership of that time should be held accountable. That is only fair.

So, when saying all this. African Union has worked for a few years now to “silence the guns” which is an ideal programme. No matter how faulty and weak the AU is an organization. How the AU as an entity tends to favour tyrants and dictators, instead of the will of the people. Still, the ideals of that programme is something the European Union and United States should look into themselves. As it is a set of ethics, which could inspire them to think about the consequences of it’s actions elsewhere.

Right now it is justified to enlarge military budgets, expand spending on upgrading the military equipment and vehicles, ensure you have a decent air-force and whatnot. When the war-drums are happening so close to your own shores. It only makes sense, as the borders and the length of distance to Ukraine set the parameter of action of own self-defence. However, Europe has participated and been acting in accordance with war. Just not on their shores or in the near borders of own capitals. It hasn’t gotten close to comfort. Neither has the consequences of it or the ramifications of a war. No, that has been held at a distance…

Now, the conflicts of Europe is coming home. The weapons exports is happening to far-away hinterland or to any of their allies world-wide. Therefore, this war is more consuming to the West. Since, it involves them all and it’s a worry of escalation. Also, if Russia want to further it’s borders and annex even more countries after Ukraine. That is unknown and uncharted territory of Europe in this day and age. They have accepted and participated in conflicts outside of their home-bound regions. But now it’s happening there and it makes things more edgy.

That’s why people are speaking of the wars are coming home. I will say they were always here. That’s why we was busy making advanced weapons, exporting ammunition and selling artillery across the world. While also either being part or being parties in conflicts across the world after the 1990s Yugoslavian war.

There is time to recognize this and acknowledge this. Because, if we don’t, we are hypocrites and people who don’t reflect on our own actions. My own home country has exported weapons and participated in NATO missions across the world, which has inflicted insufferable damage and destruction. This is why we cannot act like we didn’t wage war or had no say in it. Our nations and participation had consequences, which is felt today in Libya and Afghanistan. These sorts of acts shouldn’t be forgotten. It is the act of cruelty to forget that… and we can’t if we are honest.

The wars wasn’t in Berlin, Paris, Madrid, Rome or in Warsaw, but we never know our future. Yesterday it was in Kabul and Baghdad. Now it is hitting Kyiv and we should stand in solidarity with Ukraine. However, at the same time, we need to reflect on the policies and actions, which lead the West and U.S. into similar conflicts anywhere else. Peace.

Opinion: The President of Narnia can now pirate Venezuela’s Gold Reserve!

“The U.K. Supreme Court has found in favour of Venezuelan opposition leader Juan Guaidó, in his legal battle with the country’s embattled President Nicolás Maduro as part of the long-awaited verdict on who has control of nearly $2 billion of gold held with the Bank of England. Delivering the court’s verdict this morning, Lord Lloyd-Jones said that the justices were in agreement that U.K. courts are “bound to accept the statements of Her Majesty’s Government which establish Mr. Guaido is recognised as the constitutional interim President of Venezuela.”” (Jack Womack – ‘UK Supreme Court Reaches Judgment On $2bn Venezuelan Gold Case’ 20.12.2021, Law.com).

The Supreme Court of United Kingdom have in a recent judgement not only recognized, but given the reigns to Venezuelan Opposition Politician Juan Guaidó. Instead of giving the reigns of the Venezuela Gold Reserves valued at £1.6 Billion. This judgement gives the opposition leader the opportunity to use this and stash this as he see fit. While the Venezuelan President Nicholas Maduro don’t have access or ability to do anything about. He can appeal in the United Kingdom Commercial Court. However, the judgement today sets a bad precedence.

So, because Foreign Secretary Jeremy Hunt statement on the 4^th February 2019 stated: “ On 26 January, Foreign Secretary Jeremy Hunt made clear that unless Nicolas Maduro called presidential elections within 8 days, the United Kingdom would recognise National Assembly President, Juan Guaido, as the interim President of Venezuela, in line with the Venezuelan constitution. Mr Maduro has ignored this call. Foreign Secretary Jeremy Hunt said: “The United Kingdom now recognises Juan Guaido as the constitutional interim President of Venezuela, until credible presidential elections can be held” (Gov.uk – ‘UK recognises Juan Guaido as interim President of Venezuela’ 04.02.2019).

So, the action made in 2019 and when they all hoped they could overthrow Maduro have clearly not happened. The United States has later participated and tried to coup d’etat the government with a failed enterprise. Surely, the agreements and failed coup last year should be evident of what sort of man he is.

Yes, the Trump Presidency supported Guaido and his cause, as he was right-wing and would follow the Washington D.C. interests in the Latin American Republic. While United Kingdom Conservative Government followed suit and as a close ally of Washington signed off to the same paradigm shift. Therefore, this is a continuation of it and undermining the sovereign state of Venezuela. Because, Trump was successful in Bolivia and he though he could achieve the same in the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela.

Clearly, the United Kingdom haven’t gotten the memo since 2019 and that Guaido is a meaningless figure. He has no real presence in politics or in parliament. Without the foreign backers in Washington D.C. and London, this man would be a nobody. The European Union doesn’t recognise him and the majority of the members of the United Nations doesn’t recognise him either. So, he only have the USA-UK tandem still supporting his cause.

Now, the United Kingdom is practically allowing him to pirate the Bolivarian Republic’s gold reserve and be a wealthy man. He can practically buy himself whatever he wants and use this as he see fit. Maybe, he can even pay-off his creditors for the failed coup d’etat. His lucky to not be detained or be in prison for trying to overthrow Maduro with the assistance of the United States. This would have not been seen as viable method to gain power in London or in Washington D.C. However, these government are happy to support their own imperial interests in Caracas.

This is really showing how messed up the politics of the Western hemisphere is at this very moment. When the Foreign Secretary of another nation can de-facto say who can control someone else’s gold reserves. The owner and the nation who put them there is without proper enforcement and therefore has to fight for its own rights. It is like they where dumb to put it there and transfer it to London. Since London and the Her Majesty’s Government can betray you and your Head of State at any given time. As long, as the Foreign Secretary announces someone and say they are the legitimate leader. Than you can have access to it.

It is now officially proven, that London and United Kingdom cannot be trusted as a safe-haven of other people’s property. It can easily be pirated and taken into custody by people who has never been proclaimed or have properly won the affection of the general public in a nation. Alas, the imperial objectives of the fallen empire is more important than justice.

This is how low a Kingdom can go and how insulting it can get. When they continue to validate the President of Narnia, but not the elected President Maduro. Peace.

Syria: National Coalition of Syrian Revolution and Opposition Forces – Syrian Opposition Coalition – On EU’s Decision to Extend Sanctions against Assad Regime for Additional Year (12.10.2021)

Opinion: USAID should end the OTI programme

“USAID support for destabilization is no secret to the targeted governments”(Dan Beeton – ‘ USAID Subversion in Latin America Not Limited to Cuba’ 04.04.2014).

The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) needs to revaluate the Office of Transition Initiatives (OTI) and their role in interference across the globe. The USAID which is directed by the Secretary of State and gives the policy guidance to the organization. The USAID is supposed to be about “development” and “American Generosity” since 1961. The U.S. Organization in-charge of all foreign civilian aid. That sounds all well, right?

However, the OTI Office is what is questionable. As that is not offering humanitarian assistance, aid or programs of development. No, that is an office and agency for “transition” and change of power. Where the USAID are not coming to aid or develop but to change the leadership of a given country. Where the US incites and even participate in coup d’etat’s to get their wanted leader or head of state.

The USAID have been meddling in Latin America, where the OTI offices has interfered in several countries. WikiLeaks leaked a “internal memo” in 2013 detailing the plan to undermine the Chavez regime in Venezuela. This has also been done in Bolivia and Ecuador. The USAID used the agency as a tool to get their puppets in the respective countries.

The USAID should be looked as an honest actor, but that ship has sailed. They are a tool in the machinery of the State Department and the U.S. interests across the globe. The OTI was created in 1994 and worked to do this things all these years.

“When the Bolivian President Evo Morales expelled and shutdown USAID in his country last year for alleged attempts to undermine his leftist government, he wasn’t being paranoid after all. As a recent expose by the Associated Press shows USAID’s so-called “democracy promotion programmes” are designed to foment dissent against governments unfriendly to Washington. “In a number of countries, including Venezuela and Bolivia, USAID is acting more as an agency involved in covert action, like the CIA, than as an aid or development agency,” asserted Mark Weisbrot, an economist with a Washington-based think tank, the Centre for Economic and Policy Research” (Linda S. Heard – ‘Beware of aid agencies bearing gifts’ 21.04.2014, Gulf News).

If the USAID wants to be pawn and a useful tool for the State Department and the Pentagon. Than they can use the OTI programme. However, then they are not a directly NGO or a Aid Organization. No, it is then a part of the state machinery to other objectives. Not to fix or develop the nations it is in. Neither is to bring people out of poverty. No, then its about getting American interests and doing the bidding of the CIA. That’s another ball-game than doing aid or humanitarian assistance. To change leaders and incite uprisings for political change. That is not the work of a humanitarian organization.

Unless, USAID wants to be an imperial relic and a warning signs across the world. That if the USAID comes knocking on your doors. They are not coming with bread and water to the ones seeking refugee away from home after living in conflict zones. The OTI is changing the leadership and using various of means to inspire it to happen. To make ensure the Americans have their leaders and not the ones who works against the U.S. interests. This is why the OTI exists and certainly final objective.

If the USAID wants to look like and smell like a humanitarian organization. They better act like one and not be covert operation for the CIA. Because, the OTI is masking that and using the “legitimacy” of USAID to enforce the missions of CIA in any given territory, which is imperialism at its best. Peace.

Guyana: Ministry of Home Affairs – Press Release (16.06.2021)

Opinion: Bobi Wine’s naive call with Guaidó

Today on the 3^rd March 2021 National Unity Platform (NUP) Presidential Candidate and leader Robert Kyagulanyi aka Bobi Wine had a call with Venezuelan Opposition Candidate Juan Guaidó. Bobi Wine said they discussed “the way forward for both countries” and “defence of democratic principals”. This was a bad move for Kyagulanyi. He shouldn’t even have picked up this.

It made so much more sense when he congratulated Economic Freedom Fighter (EFF) leader on his 40^th Birthday, Julius Malema the other day. They are in the same league and has similarities. They have common objective and spirits. That is something that is easily to salute and true brotherhood, but calling Guaidó is a waste of time.

Guaidó is a man who enjoys support of Pentagon and the United States Government. He wanted to be used a puppet President in Venezuela. This after President Trump was able to get his will in Bolivia the year before. The Trump Administration through Pompeo and other allies boosted Guaidó. Guaidó even hired mercenaries in 2020 and tried to overthrow President Manduro.

This is why Bobi Wine shouldn’t have picked up the call. Then describing it like this and calling him the “President” too. A man who is willing to be puppet and a the living embodiment of Western Imperialism. A man who is willing to be used as a tool of Pentagon and the U.S. State Department to undermine an elected government in Venezuela. That is the tragedy here.

Bobi Wine and the NUP should have researched this. Because, is this isn’t it and he shouldn’t be associated with leaders like this. They are not revolutionary or freedom fighters. Guaidó isn’t removing dictators, but wanting to be an installed Pinochet or Mobutu. His democratic principals cannot be deeply rooted, as his willing to hire guns and try to topple the government. This done with coordination of the US. Guaidó was even present at the State of the Union in Washington D.C. January 2020 and his attempt was in March 2020. Therefore, the whole ordeal was arranged, but didn’t succeed.

That is why Bobi Wine should know better and should have had his ears to the ground. Guaidó isn’t a renegade or a man fighting for freedom. The Venezuelan counterpart would trade away resources for his elite to eat in luxurious restaurants and have mansions in Miami. He would licence mineral industry and oil industry to American companies, instead of having the profits serving the general public and the state. That is the sort of man Guaidó is and why he was fitting in the game-plan of Washington.

We know that Guaidó is the President of Narnia and until he comes out the closet we shouldn’t take him seriously on his return to the real world. That is why the likes Bobi Wine shouldn’t address him or even take him sincere. He should have known better, but clearly he thought this would give him political capital.

Well, someone got to tell him and explain him the history. Even read some articles on Greyzone or Orinoco Tribune to get a gist of Guaidó is and his history. That would have been wise, but he can bring it back by acting smart, and learn from this mistake. Time will tell, if he does that, but this wasn’t it.

Bobi Wine, please don’t do this sort of thing again. Do research and check the history of the gentlemen you associate with. You are better than this. Peace.

Opinion: Imperialism lost in Bolivia [and MAS-IPSP returns to power]

The successful coup of November 2019 have now been restored. The Operation Condor of Bolivia has now been answered. The coup makers and the ones supporting it has lost. The party which was dethroned and taken out of power by force. Has now returned close to a year after winning the election yesterday.

The party of the ousted President Evo Morales, MAS-IPSP, the Movement for Socialism has returned. This must be a big blow for the ones supporting the coup and market liberalism they wanted to bring to the Republic.

The ones wanting favourable deals for the lithium mines for the batteries to electric cars. This is why people are mocking Elon Musk on social media today. As his generous deals with the mining industry. This is why the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) together with other partners collaborated and made it happen last year.

Now, its proven that it was a short term win and the ones ruling wasn’t popular, but an imposed regime. They toppled a popular government, which is initially returning. Now, the former Finance Minister of Morales, Luis Arce has won it.

That shows that you cannot change the reality on the ground. This wasn’t a popular uprising or the will of the people to bring down Morales. No, it was a imperialistic move to overturn the will of the people. So, that the imperialist could earn fortunes on the mineral wealth of Bolivia.

The regime of Jeanine Añez, who got the police and army behind her. However, she apparently never got the public behind her. As she was with right-wing and fascist. These have now lost. As this regime should answer for the 37 people it killed.

What can happen now is that the imposed government from the U.S. can leave Bolivia. They who made the MAS-IPSP and their allies suffer. The ones who sent Morales into exile. That is the sort of acts Anez did and she has to answer too.

MAS-IPSP resigned on the spot and left their positions as the coup happened. Today is the day that the Republic has returned to the public. Their will is respected and not supported by military. It is a government by the people and for the people. Therefore, the future is brighter for Bolivia.

The ones supporting imperialism lost, the ones that only see the vision of Washington D.C., but Bolivia isn’t mirrored by the White House, but it’s mirrored by the citizens of Bolivia. Peace.

Venezuela: Guaido foiled coup attempt [the 2020 “Wonga Coup”]

The opposition leader and Washington D.C. ally Juan Guiado together with friends hired mercenaries this month to overthrow the government of Venezuela. We already knows that the United States supports Guiado and even let him attend the State of the Nation of 2020. Therefore, there is no secret of the relationship between the Trump Administration and Guiado.

However, the man has hired mercenaries together with Overall Project Supervisor Sergio Vergara, Chief Strategist Juan Jose Rendon and would also have a On Site Commander. Therefore, there was a team around Guiado. This was an agreement and contract between them and the Silvercorp CEO Jordan Goudreau. This was an agreement signed on the 16^th October 2019. So, this been in the works and now they determined to strike.

All of this is happening while the United States already put charges on Nicholas Maduro and his associates. The US has already designated this and pushed for it in March 2020. So, the chips was already down. The cards was already in play. Not like the Trump Administration has the skills nor the ability to diplomatically sway the opinion.

They hoped in Washington D.C. that they could pull of another Bolivian enterprise and get rid of a socialist President in Latin America. Last time it was Evo Morales in Bolivia and now they wanted a few months later take down Manduro in Venezuela.

It’s not like the United States hasn’t been participating in changing regimes across the globe. That is what they do, when they have regimes whose not favouring the needs and the political ambitions of the Secretary of State. Right now its Michael Pompeo, who wants the US interests in Venezuela coming first and therefore, they are ensuring the Caracas regime getting sanctions and whatnot.

That Guiado has powerful friends is known. He was able to hire mercenaries and tried to do his business. Because, he knows he cannot get power through the polls nor through popular uprising. He doesn’t have the character nor the message to sell in Venezuela. This is why he had to get foreign support and hire US mercenaries to get power.

Silvercorp is a Florida based company run by Goudreau, whose a former US soldier and highly decorated one. A company made to solve “irregular problems”. In this regard that was the irregular problem of not having power in the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela.

The Silvercorp has sort of initiated the remembrance of the “Wonga Coup” in Equatorial Guinea. Where British mercenaries together with Simon Mann planed to topple President Teodoro Obiang Nguema Mbasogo. However, that failed and he was charged with 34 years in jail for doing so. Now Silvercorp and its mercenaries can await something similar in Venezuela. Since they acted and did something very similar to Mann in 2004. 

For me in 2020, Goudreau are doing the same as Mann did. He went in for fortunes and failed. Now, the cat is out of the bag. This is how you try to impose a brother on a Republic and not making it. The 60ish mercenaries who went to Venezuela was signalled and therefore intercepted before they could do the contracted and obligated mission to fulfil Operation Gideon.

If Guiado thought this was a good idea? To put it mildly, it was a foolish enterprise and only shows that his illegitimate himself. There is nothing sincere about his rise to prominence and neither is his backers. They cannot even use the means of elections, but instead has to install a puppet. That is the sort of efforts the US decides to do. They hoped for a Bolivia, but instead got into a Wonga Coup. Now the mercenaries are detained and they will be punished.

This is just a lesson in how not to make regime change. It is neither popular nor have the capacity to topple the regime in Caracas. The only thing this is achieving is to solidify Maduro and his allies. They are getting the boost it needs, as foreign forces and backers wants to bring it down. This is free political capital and the US pays for it. Peace.

The African National Congress Condemns the Unwarranted Intensified Attack by the Trump Administration against the People of Venezuela and their Democratically Elected Government (02.04.2020)