USA: Attorney General Jeff Sessions – “Memorandum for Federal Prosecutors along the Southwest Border – Subject: Zero-Tolerance for Offenses under 8 U.S.C. § 132(a)” (06.04.2018)

RDC: Message d’indiganantion du Gouvernement de la Republique Democratique du Congo de l’Office des Nationes Unies (06.04.2018)

AMISOM: AU Special Representative’s statement on Wednesday’s political developments in the Lower House of Parliament (06.04.2018)

The Stand-Off in Mogadishu continues: The Clash of the Big-Men!

Mogadishu, April 4, 2018 – Over 300 well-armed special forces contingents of Danab, known as Somali Commandos, are deployed in Mogadishu today, including strategic locations, main intersections of the city as well as parliament building near the State House. These young forces were exclusively trained to destroy and dismantle Al Shabaab, but their deployment indicates reckless leadership at Villa Somalia who wouldn’t hesitate to misuse and abuse the purpose of our armed forces: to protect the country against foreign enemy and domestic terrorism. “It’s such a very unfortunate that we witness U.S. funded and trained special forces deployed in the parliament” said Honorable Ali Omar, a member of parliament who expressed shock and called the move a blatant abuse of power and authority. He added, “Danab was never used before in this manner, even during the highly contested election.” (U.S. Funded Special Forces Used for Political Standoff in Somalia, 04.04.2018).

The situation in Mogadishu politically still at a stalemate, between the same fractions that has been going on for weeks now. This is between the Prime Minister Hassan Ali Khaire and Lower House Speaker Mohamed Osman Jawari. While this is happening, the Parliament has been in lock-down and lack of plenary sessions for the voting of ‘No Confidence’ for either parties. As secret meetings, as well as soldiers and mercenaries are involved now.

Bancroft mercenaries was seen at the Parliament today, as well as the Peacekeeping Force own leadership was around the Speaker today, talking about how the political stakeholders has to find solution and have dialogue. This is happening as the recent days, the President Mohamed Abdullahi Mohamed Faramajo even asked the Speaker directly to resign, but he retorted that he worked for people and not for the President. Therefore, there been none wished reactions from the Speaker.

Yesterday evening, parts of the capital was under lock-down, soldiers sealing of the streets as the government prepared for the voting. They blocked Members of Parliament to enter in the morning today at the Parliament. While this has been going on UN Representative for Somalia Michael Keating has talked and had a session during this week with the Prime Minister, but not stepped further into the nests of eagles. He is afraid he might become a prey if this go south.

The lack of clear leadership, as well as the political mind-games, while the stakes are so high. The military, the Somali National Army (SNA) has taken away the safety detail of the speaker, while he has moved soldiers from AMISOM. This is clearly, showing how the mandate of foreign forces are involved in the midst of the stand-off. AMISOM and American Mercenaries are all involved in the political hit-job.

You know things get worse when the government are putting the blame on someone: “Commander of Police Gen Bashir Abdi Mohamed accused Speaker Jawari of bringing armed men into parliament, says he ordered security forces not to open fire. MPs supporting Jawari say they were his normal bodyguards” (Harun Maruf, 04.04.2018). The Police Commander is clearly, saying Jawari who later claimed it was just bodyguards he took to the Parliament, most likely so. He later in the day lost this and the AMISOM has to secure his passage. Clearly, the pettiness of the leadership is not over yet.

There are underlining factors to this, but clearly, there are some foreign pressure and foreign funding, since the government are using mercenaries to close of the Parliament. Some claim the DP Port Berbera deal with Somaliland, Ethiopia and UAE is the reason behind it. Since the Parliament wants to make it “null and void” and the government want it to be. Because they are greedy to get their taking of the profits made by the Somaliland agreement.

But his escalated situation is also all the guns that is in the streets, as Al-Shabaab is able to drop of mines and bombs in the city. That they have been able through the stand-off. Even as the SNA, Mercenaries and AMISOM is guarding the city, but they are preoccupied to keep politicians safe. Instead of saving the whole city.

There is also reported that the Uganda People’s Defence Force (UPDF) brigade will take charge of the security of the Parliamentary building. While the reports are also saying all Parliamentary Business is suspended. That is making sense, since all parties should go back to the drawing-board and find a solution. Instead, the stand-off is because of pride and wanting to gain personal power. To show whose the big-man and skip procedure.

That the President had a meeting with the Security Commanders after the failure in Parliament is natural, as he has used all sorts of tricks to install fear together with the Prime Minister. Who both haven’t come out with a reason. The ones who has been the Speaker who is caring about his career and the protocol of the Parliament. A Parliament that again and again, has been invaded by aliens and soldiers, with intent to spread fear and get the MPs in line with the government. They are really going all in, like this will clear the way of extensive rule for the two partners in crime.

This is clearly not the final say, but the relics of hope of good ending is dwindling, why? Because all men are going for the guns, to solve political squabble, instead of taking it by codes and protocol, the state has used all sort of military outfits, while the Parliament has done what it could to cope. Jawari is the only one who has been transparent and open, dropping often statements, while the state has been silent and hope that the fear was the final straw. That has not worked.

BREAKING: Somali army chief Gen Abdiweli Jama Gorod says a group of soldiers who entered parliament today w/ weapons has been “detained”. According to a security source, about 45 soldiers were arrested. Earlier Speaker Jawari said he only took his bodyguards into the parliament” (Harun Maruf, 04.04.2018). This is clearly, showing that the state is retaliating against him and wants him to suffer, because he didn’t resigned like they wanted yesterday. While the Parliament is in chaos and suspended.

The interference and uncertainty will continue. The lack of transparency and neither clear motives are putting the Parliament in jeopardy, but that is maybe the will of the President and Prime Minister. They don’t care as long as they are on top. They are ruling and can do so, because they have the army and the Danab brigade to put on the streets of Mogadishu. But certainly, this is not looking like strength, but weakness.

The PM tried to spin the media to say the Speaker broke the peace of the Parliament with his Security Detail, this from the man who sent the SNA into the Parliament and forced everyone out. Blocked the Parliament and had AMISOM get in February 2018. Therefore, trusting the PM on this matter is a blatant lie, to overshadow his own ignorant attitude towards the Parliament.

It is making a mockery of the Lower House and the Parliament. Because they are not delivering the policies or safety, but clashing ego’s. It to show character and man-up, not send more guns to the streets. Time to talk and listen, find a good way out that makes sense. Since this doesn’t! Peace.

U.S. Funded Special Forces Used for Political Standoff in Somalia (04.04.2018)

Russian Probe: Rod J. Rosenstein Memo to Special Counsel Robert Mueller – “Re: The Scope of Investigation and Definition of Authority” (02.08.2017)

A Powerful Speech from PM Dr. Abiy Ahmed, but will he deliver?

I want it all to go well, we all want to see Ethiopia prosper and be friendly with its neighbors. We all wants to see that, that the farmers get their deserved pay for their harvest, the traders their value of the products and the right price on the exports before leaving for the ports of Djibouti or Somaliland. That is natural. The Federal Government of Ethiopia has to deliver that, the government of Ethiopian People’s Revolutionary Defence Front (EPRDF), the coalition government with a new Chairman and Prime Minister from today on.

It is now official, the Oromo People’s Democratic Organization (OPDO) get their leader on top of the coalition party, that is Dr. Abiy Ahmed Ali. The other parties get other positions and also, there has not been changes in the parliament or within the Council’s of Ministers. Therefore, the only change has been the head and not the hierarchy. The EPRDF is still the same, but with a new guy on the top.

His speech today was powerful and refreshing, the words and prospects are golden, they are vital, but will he act upon them? Will the new Prime Minister challenge the Command Post and the Military, who are occupying the provinces with military forces and taken away the liberties and democratic freedoms. Therefore, if the speech should have any value, the new PM has to act and do it within EPRDF. Which will be interesting, as to see if he is allowed or controlled. As it is easy to speak, it is to write, but harder to sanction or even enforce changes. Especially if it cost for certain parties.

Dr. Abiy also said that this power transition is a historic moment in the country. Disagreements are not the result of disagreement, but they are the result of better understanding when it comes to understanding the principle. As the democracy does not originate from the government, it is considered to be a solution, “he said. Prime Minister Dr. Abiy Ahmed said that the right to freedom of expression, assembly and association should be respected by the constitution and that public participation should be strengthened. He said that they should not seek to interfere with the rights of others to demand a democratic right. In order to achieve the rule of law in our country, democracy and the rule of law will prevail, freedom and justice will be realized” (Ethiopian Broadcasting Company, 02.03.2018).

This is promising hopes and changes from the government, who has used all techniques, all use of force and taken away all freedoms of the protesters, detained thousands of them, killed numerous and who knows how many ended up at the hospitals in the provinces. Therefore, the civilian casualties made by the state fighting their own citizens, has to stop, the military siege of Amhara and Oromia has to stop. That is a serious change of pattern, secondly stop the road-blocks, the stop of suspension of a political gatherings, all rules and regulation made by the fresh State of Emergency. That is if, the EPRDF are serious about the words the PM said.

The provinces has to see this, it is well thought of speech, a speech of hope and of promise. But the words will fall flat, unless he works upon it. Take talks with the stakeholders, have community meetings and meets with the groups whose been seen as terrorists and anti-government. When, they are really just working for their own liberty and freedom. As the government has oppressed and been besieging their homes, and their lands.

That has to change, if his rhetoric is a mirage or a make belief, or if he is the real deal. The citizens deserves that, the great nation of Ethiopia does so too. But will the new PM deliver or will the Council of Ministers stop him? Will the other Committee’s overpower him? Peace.

RDC: l’évêque de Beni-Butembo – “Message de Paques 2018” (29.03.2018)

EPRDF statement speaks of a new Renaissance: Pardon me, but I don’t see it yet!

Today, the Ethiopian People’s Revolutionary Defence Force (EPRDF) Council has left a statement on the State Television Ethiopian Broadcasting Company on their Facebook, it is really revealing, that they are trailing and trying to figure the next steps out, as the new chairman and new Prime Minister Dr. Abiy Ahmed Ali, will have to find away within the coalition structure and with the turmoil that is currently there. The EPRDF have ways to figure this out, the new PM Dr. Abyi can either work for the agenda of the Woyane, since has to trade their water, as well as not insult the wishes for more liberty and freedoms in the regions, where the state is currently battling them with a fresh State of Emergency.

What the EPRDF Council said to today, is revealing, I will take the piece that caught my eye: “The EPRDF Council has evaluated several factors that have not resulted in a timely adjustment of this problem, and its main reason is that the lack of public service in our organization is weakening and the tendency to use and control the power of personal power. Numerous mistakes have undergone the good start of the successful process as the whole of the changes that we have recorded over the past 27 years has been attributed to the strength of our corporate spirit and focus. Anti-democratic propensity has widened our constitutional limitations. With the desire of power, it is possible to create and to abate the interest groups. The persistent views of the leadership of the leadership and the stubbornness of the leadership have resulted in the loss of the organization and the survival of our country. Our institution has gradually expanded the old system of thinking that is led by thinking ability. As a result, the performance of our Growth and Transformation Plan has not reached the desired level of efficiency and efficiency. These problems, above all, are the weaknesses of the highest leadership, the council’s review has been verified, and the executive committee assumes responsibility for the problems and consequences of the collapse. The Council has decided that steps should be taken to ensure that the steps required to ensure accountability are properly and properly implemented” (A statement from the EPRDF Council, EBC Facebook, 30.03.2018).

This part of the message is striking for various of reasons, because it says more than they usually wants. But if I believe it is another matter. Because they have used the force, they have detained and have killed several, dozens and to many citizens to stay in power. They are at the same time proclaiming the people who asking for democracy and freedom, calling them anti-democratic. Not like the EPRDF is really democratic, neither the elections, that has been handpicked man and handpicked parties to run. So the men wished by the Central Government could be Members of Parliament, serve under the EPRDF and the TPLF. Not like Woyane has made progressions in this era. That isn’t a mistake, that is with clear efforts and with meaning to control it all. We know this, because even if opposition critics are drinking coffee in a garden together, they can be detained without any warrants or reason, other than the state are in fear of their voices.

I wonder, how accountable they will be or will review themselves, since they are the initiator and the ones doing the aggression. They are silencing or showing no mercy to dissidents, there is no return if they run to the streets or even start blockades, but if they don’t do that. The Central Government will not see them or care of their existence. Therefore, the only thing they can do, is stay home demonstrations, that even this government has banned with the directions from the Command Post Secretariat.

Hard to believe that the EPRDF will really change or pay amends to the regions of hurt, like Oromia or Amhara. I am saying that, because of what ESAT News reported today: “The twelve member inquiry board formed by the House of People’s Representatives was supposed to travel to Moyale, Southern Ethiopia, on March 25, 2018 and stay in the town for a week. Wazema Radio quoted a member of the inquiry group as saying that they were told by “higher ups” to scrapp their mission. The member of the inquiry board who wish to remain anonymous said they do not exactly know which specific authority has given the order” (Engidu Wolde – ‘Ethiopia: Parliamentary inquiry into Moyale atrocities suspended’ 30.03.2018, ESAT News). So, when the same state talking a fresh start and mistakes. They are not looking to violations and the state sanctioned kilings in Moyale, that led to a civilians fleeing from the area to Kenya. The ruling regime is clearly not taking responsibility for the killings of their own.

That is why, the statement on Facebook is hard to believe and read. That they will review, when they are even scrapping investigation into the killings of Moyale, the state sanctioned massacre. This sort of activity should have consequences, for the ones ordering it and the ones doing it. They shouldn’t walk around in Oromia with the guns, they are merciless killers of innocent citizens.

So with that in mind, it is hard to believe the EPRDF is planning to change it’s efforts. Even stop the State of Emergency, stop the harsh rules and regulations of the measure and also have dialogue with the groups affected by the decision made by Command Post and the EPRDF Council of Ministers.

There are many things, that needs change, but the state is not acting wise if they want to seriously grant the people more than empty hope and gestures. That is shown with the scraping of the misison to investigate in Moyale. We know now, the EPRDF don’t want to be transparent about their misgivings, they can violate the law and make activists into terrorists, but they cannot stand-up and offer change. Unless, the Prime Minister stands up to the Woyane and also the ones “high-up” who controls the affairs.

Since, this is not looking good and make you wonder, if the change of PM Abiy is just a game, the people are the pawns and the TPLF are awaiting their prize. Peace.

South Sudan: SPLM-IO Letter to Ethiopian Prime Minister Dr. Abiy Ahmed Ali – “Subject: Protest on the Conditionss Imposed on the Release of Dr. Riek Machar as Stated in the Communique of the 61st Extra-Ordinary Session of IGAD Council of Ministers on the Situation in South Sudan, Addis Ababa, March 26, 2018” (26.03.2018)