South Sudan: Reconstituted Joint Monitoring and Evaulation Commission (RJMEC) – RJMEC Condemns the deadly violence in Nasir County in Upper Nile State, calls for speedy investigation, accountability (09.03.2025)

Opinion: Eritrea’s own Newspaper Haddas Erta is calling out the worrying State of Affairs in Ethiopia

The current situation in Ethiopia is being witnessed by everyone. It is very worrying not only for the people of Ethiopia but also for the entire region. – Due to the slow process of nation-building, peoples are divided by narrow politics, not only by ethnicity but also by smaller groups. -The ‘country army’ is too busy in relentless civil conflict, its bodies scattered everywhere, captured by the mob and ‘Enough of the war! We’re tired!” He has reached a fantasy where he complains openly. – Much of the country is out of control, with the government confronting its people, drone massacres of its own citizens, and destruction of public and national property itself It is awaiting relief.- Wrong economic policies introduced to get a little bit of credit from the world’s financial institutions have increased the rate of recession and made people’s livelihoods unbearable” (Haddas Ertra Eritrea, 08.03.2025).

It is rich of Asmara to call out Addis Ababa. We know this was a short-lived alliance between the President for Life Isaias Afewerki and the King who happens to be called Prime Minister, Abiy Ahmed Ali. These two signed an agreement and became allies. They fought together against a common enemy, until Abiy ditched the whole war and made another agreement with the leaders of Tigray with the Pretoria Agreement. That all has made things go sour and the friendship between Abiy and Afewerki hasn’t been the same.

Now we are seeing the Shabait own Newspaper, the state owned press of Eritrea speaking out loudly about how the lives of the neighbour is. That is really telling of the friendship and how the Asmara navigates the political landscape of Addis Ababa. Not like Abiy has been closed or been co-ordinated as in the past. No, it is going bad and this is a sign of it. As the Eritrean State Press wouldn’t write like this or come with sort of commentary if things was going good.

Yes, the things the Eritrean Press could be true regardless of what is going on in Ethiopia. Nevertheless, if we knew there was going good between the neighbours. We know Eritrea wouldn’t write something significantly bad about Ethiopia. As a partner and ally, it would be more friendly and a posh-piece.

Now we are seeing a total disarray between Asmara and Addis Ababa. That the State Owned Press writes this and says this. It is rich of the Eritrean Press speak of nation building and narrow politics. When the Eritrean government is all bound by President and there is no other serious authority. That’s why they shouldn’t call other people out before they hold a serious election and builds institutions that can show their works. Alas, we know that won’t happen because that breaches the ego and the mastermind of Afewerki. So, let’s get serious before they throw shades at the crippling and self-destructive manner of Abiy. Abiy has his own sins and wants to consolidate power by the means of guns or cronyism. Therefore, it is really unique to read this commentary from Eritrea.

We can wonder how Eritrea would react if a piece like this was published in the Ethiopian Herald or Fana Broadcasting Company? That’s what I would wonder about and how they dissect it. Most likely… Shabait itself would write a retort. You can wonder if Addis Ababa will respond to this one. However, a brother is calling another brother out…

Well, time is a wasting. Abiy is in a sea of trouble and now Afewerki’s minions is mocking him too. Peace.

Opinion: Will the DP surprise us again and become the “Bad DP” or what?

1. *The Democratic Party hereby disassociates itself* from the content and letter of the said cooperation agreement.

2. *We pledge to champion dialogue and cooperation* involving all political players and entities in Uganda, with the aim of promoting the common good, addressing matters of national interest, and upholding the principles of democracy, human rights, and the rule of law. This should be through a well structured arrangement.

3. *We reaffirm our commitment* to the principles of social justice, equality, and human rights, and to the promotion of the interests of the marginalized and oppressed.

Therefore, let it be resolved that the agreement signed on 20th July 2022 hereinafter referred to as the Co-operation Agreement is henseforth terminated by the National Council sitting at Soroti, this 7th day of March, 2025.

Moved by; Deogratious Kiyingi Gonzaga – Deputy National Treasurer” (Resolution of the National Council of the Democratic Party, 07.03.2025).

This has been a slow train coming, there been Members of Parliament who wanted the Cooperation Agreement gone with the National Resistance Movement (NRM). The Democratic Party has fallen over this and become more weaker. As there is no trust in its agency or its mission either. The fallout of MPs and the MPs decisions to pick other parties has been rampant of late. Therefore, the value of DP has fallen and significantly so.

Yesterday’s act and review of the Cooperation Agreement between the DP and NRM is just telling. That the DP is done and dusted. This is just telling that Norbert Mao and Dr. Gerald Sirinda sold the party short for personal gains. Mao became Minister and Sirinda became a EALA MP. That is beneficial for them both and was an easy trade for them.

Is this a short-lived “No Surprises” agreement that just happens to be finalized and closed ahead of the 2026 General Elections?

We know the likes of Richard Lumu MP didn’t want this to begin with and he fought from the sidelines. He also seconded the resolution that is in question. It just shows how the party operates and how slow the leadership acts on the others participation. As we know how they called Mao into question and even how he accepted the agreement without prior knowledge of the rest of the party. That was the trade-off for a Ministerial Post and EALA MP slot.

Norbert Mao is tainted and so is the party. They cannot revise the history now. We have seen how Mao talked about a transition and a need for change, but he started to work for the President directly. There been no change in the Judiciary and neither has there been any reforms to speak off. No, Mao has delivered no punches or no surprises as Minister. President Museveni must be happy for this cheap bounty.

This seems like an easy gambit ahead of the 2026 polls. A way of deferring from the NRM and become Opposition just ahead of the General Election. That’s what it looks like and maybe the DP will join the Holy Alliance or whatnot. Because, what else does the party have?

Not like Mao has a voice of reason or is a likeable fella. No, Mao has sold it off and leased its future. Unless, he entrusts someone else with Party Presidency and retires from office too. That’s what is needed to revive this party and build from the ground up. Now the party is known for being like a mango. Green on the outside, but yellow on the inside. That’s not a good look, but the fate that befell it.

If there is time for surprises or revival… that is another matter. Peace.

Uganda Medical Association (UMA): Prisoner Health Rights Violation – Press Release (07.03.2025)

South Sudan: The assassination of Gen. David Majur Dak should be a turning point for the Naath White Army

Today’s actions surrounding the evacuation flight from Nasir County, as the UNMISS helicopter was helping fellow SSPDF soldiers and UN Personnel to leave the area. That was surrounded by the White Army and gun-shots ended up killing Gen. David Majur Dak, and others who was around the helicopter.

That act of killing, brutal actions of possibly ambushing and targeting that helicopter can be fatal for the Naath White Army. As it isn’t about grievances against the state anymore or about sending wrong type of troops to the Nasir County in the Upper Nile State. Now it is total conflict and giving the state all reasons to ruthlessly end the White Army. As it couldn’t ensure the safety or guarantee the UNMISS helicopter safe-haven for transit before leaving again for Malakal. As the helicopter had done so in the day before and was planned to do similar today.

Alas, that didn’t happen. Now there is several dead, including the General Dak. What happened in Wech-Yar-Adiu, Nasir County is telling. It is a statement from the Naath White Army. There are even speculations that the White Army itself did pull the General out of the Helicopter and killed in him in cold blood. Meanwhile the First Vice President Dr. Riek Machar is saying it was accidental gunfiring surrounding the helicopter. As a skirmish going wrong and that’s what the White Army claims as well. However, we cannot know and all parties have interests in telling their stories. Where the truth is and the brutal demise of the General are… that we don’t know, but what we do know is that he was killed.

If J1 and President Salva Kiir Mayardit issues “Martial Law” or something similar in the Upper Nile State. No one should bat an eye. The Naath White Army is a national threat and has capacity to cause harm. It isn’t just a minor issue, but an issue that can spiral into much more severe conflict. The killings of a General is just telling. This is what they are daring to do… and now the White Army possibly have to face the music. It isn’t all fun and games, but a reality that might be painful for them too.

President Kiir called for “restrained” and calm for “peace” but we know that won’t be enough. There is so much hurt and pain. Not only what happened to the General, but others and also the other flight, which also appeared to have killed more people. It is just a totality of bloody murder and the Naath White Army claim it is “crossfire”. I’m not buying that… it is just to convenient.

All hunches and everything within me says this was a deliberate act of killing. The General and his guards was targets with invisible marks on their heads. The White Army planned this and wanted him dead. That’s why this happened and they knew where he was residing. Therefore, the crossfire doesn’t feel believable to me. Until this is properly investigated and such. There will be speculations and rumours circulating. That is natural.

Nevertheless, the General’s demise isn’t the end. Now another chapter begins. The state and the White Army got to act. There is a need for resolve and talks. Now this cannot go back to the battlefields and be addressed by usage of guns. That won’t lead to a finalization or a resolute decision. No, there is a need for mediation and such, as the deaths are piling up.

Now the debts has to be settled. There is a need for listening on both sides. J1 and Naath White Army needs to find each other. This cannot continue.

Nasir Town, Nasir County and the whole Upper Nile State needs an intervention. Which cannot be solved by guns. The guns has just caused more harm, pain and suffering. The assassination of the General is just the final straw. Now there is no turning back, a man trying to fix a safe passage for himself and others was killed. These lives have to be held account for and the ones behind it has to answer for it. There is no other way around it.

This is just tragic and the White Army should regret doing this. Now there isn’t sympathy or understanding for their cause, instead it is anger and frustration that they did this. Their credit is up and now is time to pay their debt. Peace.

South Sudan: Office of the First Vice President – Dr. Riek Machar Teny-Dhurgon – On the Incident in Wech-Yar-Adiu, Nasir County, Upper Nile State (07.03.2025)

South Sudan: President Salva Kiir Mayardit – Statement of His Excellency the President on the Current Situation in Upper Nile State, Nasir County (07.03.2025)

South Sudan: Naath White Army – Press Release (07.03.2025)

South Sudan: South Sudan People’s Movement (SSSPM) – Press Release (07.03.2025)

South Sudan: South Sudan Council of Churces (SSCC) – Statement of Concern by the South Sudan Council of Churches on the Current Security and Political Situation in South Sudan (06.03.2025)