USA: “Puerto Rico governor sends letter to Congress asking for additional financial assistance following “unprecedented catastrophe” (07.10.2017)

Age Limit: Matia Kasaija says “the Besigye Factor” is the reason behind lifting the age-limit, sorry Minister, that’s a big fat lie!

I am not amazed anymore, the expected reasoning for lifting the Age Limit for the President. So that the Presidential Candidate be older than 75 years old. The National Resistance Movement (NRM) and the Members of Parliament (MP) are fighting to keep President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni for life. That Finance Minister Matia Kasaija says what he says, tells a lot about how little ethics and how little laws are made for the betterment of the citizens. Its rules made for one person and not for whole of society. It should be a personal conflict for a ruling party, when the party making laws fitting their leader and not making progress, but that is not the issue for the financial implications, even if that is his job.

I should be amazed, but more a low sigh, and how dear he!

Besigye Factor:

Do you really see anyone in the NRM who can stand and win that Besigye? Not [Prime Minister Ruhakana] Rugunda, not Otafiire [Kahinda, the Minister of Justice and Constitutional Affairs]. I don’t even think Muhoozi [Kainerugaba, Museveni’s first son] can defeat him,” said a party official who is part of the group at the centre of calls to delete the age caps. “Do you even really think Museveni can go to Kololo and hand over to Besigye? That man is too angry. When you talk about Museveni in his presence he gets so quickly worked up he almost gets spasms. Why is he so angry at him? So for us, we’re with our Mzee for as long as he [Besigye] is around,” the official added. The Besigye factor appeared to be corroborated by Minister of Finance Matia Kasaija. Speaking on a popular nightly radio talk show on October 4, he said of President Museveni that the NRM “still sees value in him” (Kigambo, 2017).

This here is insulting, it is just so deep that the NRM and the cronies says this to the press. That they push their agenda this way. Just like Mwenda, said the Forum for Democratic Change (FDC), should push forward the lifting of the age limit. Because if they do, then Besigye can continue to run for President. The same in another tune is used by Kasaija. It is both insane.

You wonder why people are tired and angry? Would Kasaija be angry if he was detained, arrested, house-arrested, charged on phony charges, harassed, tear-gassed and constantly monitored by the Police. Maybe then, the Finance Minister would have some consideration why the opposition are against Museveni and the NRM.

Besigye is angry at the oppression and away the freedom. The democracy is not there, when the state controls and oppress as it does. The Opposition MPs are suspended and arrested just for the Motion introduced and the first reading in Parliament. Not like the Opposition matters for NRM. They are not really in sync. This is well-known facts for the NRM, but the Finance Minister wants to blame Besigye.

Besigye is not the reason for the lifting of the age limit. That is Museveni himself and his agenda. The NRM is just another tool for his long term status. NRM Cronies will say elections is the safeguard, but how are they when the Electoral Commission doctor the ballots in a fashion that makes math-class unnecessary for the Electoral Commission Secretariat. The President needs this and they will do whatever to do his bidding.

Dr. Kizza Besigye is not the reason for the Age Limit, not within the NRM. That is a lie, a BIG FAT LIE! BIG FAT LIE. BFL, the whole nine yards. NRM MPs, NRM Cronies can spell out their venom and their poison, but doesn’t mean we don’t have the cure. The nonsense and bullshit has to stop.

Finance Minister Kasaija, do I look like smuck? Do you think the has tinier brain capacity than I do? Finance Minister, Honorable Kasaija, do you think we cannot see through lies?

It is easier to spot it, than a tomato-sauce stain on a white carpet! Get real and back-off. The Besigye factor is lie, a big fat lie. It is bigger than the usual crap that come out of the Ofwono Opondo or Andrew Mwenda. You have raised the bar! And you should go to the bar, take a drink and wonder why you turned into this sorry person. Who uses Besigye as motivation for life presidency of Museveni. Come-on. Give it rest pest. Peace.

Reference:

Kigambo, Gaaki – ‘NRM says Besigye factor behind rush to pass Uganda’s age limit Bill’ (07.10.2017) link: http://www.theeastafrican.co.ke/news/NRM-Besigye-Uganda-age-limit-Bill/2558-4128970-12va3g8/index.html

DRC: The G7 Party hires Ballard Partners to lobby in the U.S. for Elections!

The Party G7 under the leadership of Vice President Oliver Kamitatu hired Ballard Partners 3rd October 2017 as their United States lobbying partner. The Group of Seven and using the partnership with one aim: “To bring about free and fair elections in the Democratic Republic of Congo”. This agreement was signed by Brian Ballard.

The G7 will compensate the firm for their lobbying of the United States government. This will cost $ 50,000 a month. The firm will be paid by June 15th 2018 will get total $600,000 by the Political group to lobby in the US. So the millionaire and presidential candidate Moise Katumbi plans to get noticed other places then in the DRC and Belgium.

What is interesting is that the opposition in the DRC are now using the same tricks that the lingering President Joseph Kabila, who never seem to leave. Not that its any sign of an election. Other than rampant militias in different regions like in Kasai, North Kivu, South Kivu and in Katanga. There are enough violence and killings that has happen on this presidents watch. The insecurity that is created is giving the President time, so he has excuses to postpone it.

This shows the steps of the opposition who has to flee away, that they have to go to this step to spread their news. As the Kabila government has spent fortunes on lobbyists to not create sanctions and stop their militant ways. The same sort of acts is happening through Ballard Partners. We can wonder about their connections in Washington DC. If they have the right connections to the State Department and close associates with Rex Tillerson. If they do have this, than they might have power, but if not. Then the money will be wasted. Maybe G7 Party feels that they have nothing to lose.

Since they have seen the insurgency and the militias uprising in various states, while the President are confident in Kinshasa. Where the President are acting like a king and waiting to see when he can officially become President for his third term. He don’t want to leave power and leave the Republic for someone else. That is why G7 see it needed to use funds to get the United States to care about the uncertain future election in Republic. Clearly, they know that this is not in the interest for Kabila. That is why it hasn’t happened and seems likely not to happen during 2017, maybe 2018. Who knows?

President Kabila is not feeling the opposition or fearing anyone. He feels secure and safe. Even as the regions are in trouble by militias and guerrillas in the provinces. While MONUSCO and FARDC are letting go on rampage. This is benefiting Kabila and its sad that it does. All the killings and insecurity are giving him time, so he can save the day and let the election be postponed again. That is why the G7 wants to try lobbying and hopefully get political pressure from Washington on Kabila. Then, things might change. Peace.

US: Whistleblower Joel Clement, an executive with the Department of Interior, resigned Oct. 4. (04.10.2017)

My letter to the IEBC (Chebukati and Chiloba): “Your playing a losing hand!”

Oslo, Norway, 3rd October 2017.

Dear Sirs, Chairman Wafula Chebukati and CEO Ezra Chiloba!

I know you two are happy with the situation, your repeating the election with nearly any amendments or changes, just some rare people has been sacked, but the system is more of the same. Your Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) hasn’t change significantly since the 1st September 2017.

I am disappointed, but Kenyans should be even more. Not only because of the letter that National Super Alliance (NASA) had to the IEBC on the 12th September with dozens of demands of change. None that has been covered. Even if you honorable Chebukati says on live broadcast during a presser: meetings with Nasa and Jubilee fruitful; all systems are in place for October 26 repeat election” (Nation Breaking News, 03.10.2017).

I hate to say it Mr. Chebukati but your words was countered by parts of the dialogue groups. The Jubilee said this afterwards: “We have no stipulation before the repeat poll and expect the electoral commission to conduct a free, fair and credible election that will reflect the will of the people.

Held consultation with the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) at Bomas of Kenya, Nairobi County” (William Samoei Ruto, 03.10.2017). But that was expected Mr. Chebukati, you pronounced him and his boss victor in August and he wants the same deal and rigging again. He don’t want it changed, because then it doesn’t benefit him and his party.

But what is more worrying when Senator James Orengo says this at the Presser today: “It is like IEBC is only concerned with holding the elections within 60 days. We insist election must be held in accordance with Constitution. None of the issues we had raised in the irreducible minimums have been responded to. Nothing is agreed until it’s agreed, they have not answered our questions yet” (Sen. James Orengo, 03.10.2017).

So when the man who foresaw the issues within the previous elections, you two knuckleheads should listen. Since he was able as a lawyer to come with a decent argument and a case to nullify the Presidential Election on the 8th August 2017. Orengo argued and spelled out the law in the Constitution to the Supreme Court. He put the codes and electoral law and showed how the IEBC did malpractice acted fraudulent during the polls.

Mr. Chebukati and Mr. Chiloba, when you don’t listen to Orengo and his advice you are bound to lose. You have already done it once. It was the biggest mistake of your career. The Jubilee might have the use for you now, but if you try the same trick again. The leaks to NASA will occur and the world will know off your cheating. The agreements with the same companies like OT-MORPHO and Safaricom Limited. It is not like you are trying differently, the same kind of tender to print papers in foreign lands again. Therefore, you are playing the same game, but without changing the cards. You are trying to play a similar game, but having the same cards on hand. Most likely you will lose!

You could have switched-up and made a PR Campaign, you could show the world the IEBC Servers, as your IP addresses are on Cambridge Analytica Servers, the company order for Public Relations for the Jubilee Party. Since you haven’t revealed changes, we can suspect the same sort of game. Than the data and results are transmitted to safe place that the CA can do what they like and therefore alter the results if needed be.

In addition, the use of the same KIEMS system, that was breached thousands of times during the August Elections and not verified the results before being announced by the National Tally Centre at Bomas. Neither could they verify the numbers and announced results on the IEBC Portal. When we know this and you use again OT-MORPHO to deliver the services that was altered the last time. What reason do you give us to trust them and you now? You give us none.

Mr. Chebukati and Mr. Chiloba, you are playing in the same fashion as before, not even trying another change tactics or changing the cards. You have the same to play and done nothing to make sure the deck has changed. It’s like you are trying to bluff and fake your hand, but we know that the hands are the same. IEBC has not changed and has not been reformed. This is after the will of Jubilee, who just wants you play in their benefit. Not playing the cards after the law and the electoral codes they have in the constitution. If the IEBC did this, the NASA would be happy and accept it. The Jubilee doesn’t care how they win as long as they do. That is why they haven’t and wouldn’t change you. They haven’t even fired you. Because of your shoddy job, the Jubilee could have enough reason to sack you!

It’s time for me to end. I know you two will read this and if you do. You will wonder what is wrong with me, since I ask all of this off you and I will give nothing back. This letter isn’t for me or mines. This is for the Kenyans who you are supposed to serve and make credible elections for. Instead you have been busy building a rigging conglomerate. This you should just stop, the gig is already up and the evidence was shown in the Election Petition that won over you on the 1st September 2017.

It’s time for you to fold your cards, give-in and ask for changes. The cards you and the cards you playing isn’t sealing the deal. Its a losing hand, it is just a matter of time before you losing again. Will you two risk your career for just another putsch? Will you try to bluff the Kenyans another time? Peace.

Best Regards

The Writer of Minbane

Opinion: It’s ironic that President Museveni is talking about disciplining the government!

The three arms of government and their sub-branches must have discipline. For example I have been involved in disciplining the army. We should do the same for other sub-branches of government. If the Judiciary is also disciplined in fighting corruption, citizens will lead a good life. – Yoweri Kaguta Museveni on the 1st October 2017, State House Entebbe.

Its just one of these days that hearing the news and seeing the tweets of the President, makes me laugh and wonder if he listen to himself. He knows his system and has made his garden. The way the government steers and govern is because of his policies, his regulations and his support. It is not like there been other ruling for last 30 years in Uganda. The Republic has been under the control of Museveni and his National Resistance Movement (NRM).

The NRM has suffocated all other free-will and control. Therefore, Ministers, Members of Parliament and others seek guidance and funds directly at the State House in Entebbe. Even foreign investors meet there to make agreements. Everything is nearly sanctioned out there. The Discipline now is more on the narrow-minded government that is run from there. The institutions and the procedures are not so important. Since most things happening is with the words from “above”, meaning the President and his close advisers.

It is not rocket science to know where the benefactor or the reason for lacking structures. That is because government waits for their go sign by the State House, they are waiting for funding of the projects and institutions from the State House. The projects and the works of the State House and under the Prime Ministers Offices are the key organizations within this government. They might say all of the massive cabinet has part to play, but that is the facade.

Therefore, it is ironic for a man so controlling and so disorganized that it gives sometimes way to the unthinkable. Just like the Presidential Handshake, that was sanctioned by the State House, but taken form the wrong account. That was the problem for the President, not that the corrupt behavior was occurring on his watch. Its like he talks against himself. Because he has no problem speaking anti-corruption, but if corruption benefit his cronies – its fine and dandy!

I am not surprised by him at this point of time, its fit his narrative. He says what he expects and wants out of others, but the next day he finds a way to benefit or use the loyalty of his cronies. Not like he would have excepted the UCC not to listen and stop the suspended MPs to hit the airways and be broadcast on TV. He rather being himself on radio and in the spotlight, but will accept anyone else sharing the same space.

President Museveni is the proof of someone saying something noble, but doing opposite. He might say something insane, but act rational. Therefore, you never know where you have him. I will never believe him actually disciplining the government, if doing so. It means they are all blindfolded and following his guidelines. It does not mean building proper governance and protocol, neither is institutionalize the departments and ministries, it is all about his will and his stature.

When it comes to Museveni, discipline is about following him. Not building transparent and proper government institutions. Peace.

Zimbabwe: Hyper-inflation hit the republic yet again, this time it’s the fault of launching the Bond-Notes!

(We have got the Judas Iscariots amongst us); they are manipulating the currency so that they trigger inflation” – President Robert Mugabe on Thursday this week (Chibamu, 2017).

When they launched the Bond-Notes in 2016, the borrowed money from China to launch a new currency. Like that sounds like fresh and sound financial policy. Not like Zimbabwean African National Union – Patriotic Front (ZANU-PF) and President Robert Mugabe unleashed this for the supposed benefit of the citizens. Since the former currency we’re put into death-bed and was total worthless by 2009.

So now that its gone some time, the reports of a black-market with currency exchange, the lack of petrol and others springing bad news. It is international ones that are also looking at the signs. Even if the ZANU-PF Ministers and loyalists to Mugabe, is saying it is only smoke, but no fire. Clearly, there are more into it, than they want to admit. Because, we all who followed the launch and the misuse of funds from the cronies close to Mugabe, knew that a uncontrolled inflation might hit the republic again. Mugabe will blame anyone, like he didn’t create this issue himself. If not his wife who spends fortunes in South Africa, buy luxurious cars like Rolls Royce and the sons of family spends time on lavish hotels there. They are acting like Zimbabwean Royal Family, the perks of diving into the state reserves.

Well, the Zimbabweans are in long lines getting petrol, while the Bond Notes values are getting to level, that they are worthless. That the Bond Notes are far from being One to One exchange with United States Dollars. That ship has sailed and the unfortunate citizens of Zimbabwe, who has to again see the Bond Notes, second crypto-currency in a decade fall to pieces. The destruction of the economy is evident. The statistics of the inflation should worry anyone. Just take a look!

This hard budget constraint became too onerous for the free spending government to abide by. In consequence, Zimbabwe’s government has employed Harry Houdini’s magic and circumvented the hard budget constraint imposed by dollarization. It has done so by creating a new fake dollar, which is referred to as the “New Zim Dollar.” Not surprisingly, this new Houdini creation is rapidly becoming worthless. This makes the methodology that I employed to measure inflation during Zimbabwe’s hyperinflation episode relevant again. Since Old Mutual’s price on the Zimbabwe Stock Exchange is denominated in “New Zim Dollars” and Old Mutual’s price on the London Stock Exchange is denominated in British pound sterling, we can create a “New Zim Dollar”/sterling implied exchange rate. This exchange rate can be transformed using PPP to accurately measure Zimbabwe’s inflation. At present (09/29/17), Zimbabwe’s annual inflation rate has soared to 242.72%” (Hanke, 2017).

More ominously, from the perspective of Zanu-PF, is that, as coffers dry up once again, Robert Mugabe’s government will struggle to pay some of the institutions so crucial to it remaining in power, such as the civil service, the military and the police. Bond notes were the government’s short-term answer to its long-term economic problems. But instead of providing the solution, they are proving to be an expensive mistake” (Allison, 2017).

RM: Do you foresee Zimbabwe sliding into the 2008 inflationary trap? What is your comment on this? Chris Mugaga: We might not necessarily slide into a hyper-inflationary trap, but we need to guard against it. The money changers have started causing havoc and the informal market players have been creating artificial shortages. All that must stop and this will assist in managing the inflationary threat. Last, but not least, fiscal spending also has to be managed as funding a fiscal deficit can lead to inflation” (Muzavazi, 2017).

Markoni, who once served as an economic adviser in the regional block, SADC, said Mugabe’s decision to introduce bond notes – a surrogate currency meant to alleviate the cash crisis – set in motion trial of events that led to the total collapse of the country’s financial services sector. “Bond Notes are not the solution and we have always said this. The price increases are just symptoms reflecting the situation on the ground and Mugabe can order the Zambezei River to flow back to Angola but it just won’t because of the forces of nature” said the former Finance minister. “Such forces of nature also apply to the value of currencies and that is why you see that the bond notes have not mitigated the cash crisis and collapsing economy, it has worsened it instead”. He added”(Tarenyika, 2017).

If you thought this would be sunshine story, your wrong. The reality is that the plan for the Bond Notes was flawed from the outset. I am far from surprised by the output of the currency. The whole borrowing to print the currency was made for a disaster. It was just a matter of time, when the state and cronies would print to much and make sure their we’re lacking amounts of cash in the system. As well as the foreign exchanges lacking funds to change between the United States Dollars and the Zimbabwean Bond Notes. There are enough profound evidence of trouble that could occur and which did.

The economy and financial policy was not made for the benefit of the citizen, but a short term gain for the ZANU-PF. But you can wonder who really earned on it before the inflation hit this time. As the usual suspects would be able to comply, but won’t since they will stay silent since they earned on the scheme. The crones like Mugaga will make it seem like normal and under control, while it is not. Because they know that the numbers are terrible and a doctor in the United States publishing it in Forbes, wouldn’t all of sudden find the numbers on a random spread-sheet. Therefore, the reality should hit the fan. Even if Mugabe never will take the blame. There will be someone falling on the sword, neither will be Rolls Royce driving Grace Mugabe, neither Bob, but someone who is easily gotten rid of in the cabinet. Peace.

Reference:

Allison, Simon – ‘Can Zanu-PF afford another currency crash?’ (29.09.2017) link: https://mg.co.za/article/2017-09-29-00-can-zanu-pf-afford-another-currency-crash

Chibamu, Anna – ‘Zimbabwe: President Mugabe Stays Put, Scorns ‘Judas Iscariots’ (29.09.2017) link: http://allafrica.com/stories/201709290092.html

Hanke, Steve – ‘Zimbabwe Inflates… Again’ (30.09.2017) link: https://www.forbes.com/sites/stevehanke/2017/09/30/zimbabwe-inflates-again/#221257d10d68

Muzavazi, Runyararo – ‘Let’s guard against the hyper-inflationary trap’ (30.09.2017) link: http://www.herald.co.zw/lets-guard-against-the-hyper-inflationary-trap/

Tafirenyika, Mugove – ‘Former Finance Ministers speak on the economic rot’ (29.09.2017) link: https://www.dailynews.co.zw/articles/2017/10/01/former-finance-ministers-speak-on-economic-rot

Philippines: Ombudsman Conchita Carpio Morales statement: “If the President has nothing to hide, he has nothing to fear.” (29.09.2017)

The Republican’s plan of fixing the tax-code is by bailing out corporations and the wealthy!

Just like the leaflet dropped in April 2017 as a serious Tax Plan, which was one-page long. Clearly, the people in charge of the economy and financial state of the United States. Are more preoccupied with taking private jets and eating while in office than actually working. I can question that after months after the leaflet, there was a tiny amendment on the newly proposed tax-plan. Since it is just small expanded text. Now instead of one single page, its gone up to 9 pages. Not like a handbook into the codes, neither economic implications of the taxes. Like which groups gets benefits, who will pay more and what sort of “damage” will the tax-cuts made by Republican Party do.

This released Tax plan: “Unified Framework for Fixing Our Broken Tax Code”, that was released today. You should expect better work, especially from former businessmen and bankers who are running the Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross and Treasury Secretary Steve Mnuchin. Both of them has been bankers, but they still has no stats or proof of how these tax codes really affects society. It’s like selling house on only the paperwork and have no official showing of the house. When you get there it either be just a big lie or it be a shiny palace.

That the United States Government and Republican Party are delivering this sort ploy to trigger their wishes is insane. What is striking is words like these: “An additional top rate may apply to the highest-income taxpayers to ensure that the reformed tax code is at least as progressive as the existing tax code and does not shift the tax burden from high-income to lower- and middle-income taxpayers” (Republican Tax, 2017). This is like saying we will take away and make it simpler for the highest earners to pay less, while this will not burden the ones who earn less than us. So that the progressive though is that the highest earner will get a tax-cut and we promise it will not bother anyone.

But the framework are really showing its love for corporation and giving them tax-holidays from the last quarter of 2017: “The framework allows businesses to immediately write off (or “expense”) the cost of new investments in depreciable assets other than structures made after September 27, 2017, for at least five years. This policy represents an unprecedented level of expensing with respect to the duration and scope of eligible assets. The committees may continue to work to enhance unprecedented expensing for business investments, especially to provide relief for small businesses” (Republican Tax, 2017). So they can easily just tap lots of investments without showing them to the Internal Revenue Service, this means the investments would be easily invested and written-off, without considering the tax-record in general. This will be quickly profitable for big corporations and real-estate businesses. Who can easily invest and get profits within months. As they sell in the next year, as they are investing in 2017 and writing it off. While in 2018 selling it. Then they didn’t need to pay the tax for the investment done in 2017. This is double profit for the bigger businesses. It’s a match made in heaven for the multi-national corporations in the United States. The state will earn less and just make sure the investment will be even more short-term and be more buy-in and takeovers. Since they can earn lot’s on the investments, before dropping it or selling it the next year after writing it off.

The framework limits the maximum tax rate applied to the business income of small and family owned businesses conducted as sole proprietorships, partnerships and S corporations to 25%. The framework contemplates that the committees will adopt measures to prevent the recharacterization of personal income into business income to prevent wealthy individuals from avoiding the top personal tax rate” (Republican Party, 2017). Again, the proposed Tax is made to secure the wealthy, so they will get tax-cuts, this is not for the betterment of the state. It is to secure the wealthy and make sure their tax-rate is cut. Clearly, the treasury and commerce secretary are trying to help their friends and family on Wall Street and in the big business with a fancy tale of tax codes and cuts.

If you thought President Trump cared about Middle-America or even about the Working-Class, they we’re needed props and needed ballots for the election. But now that he got you in his pockets. He can get a payday, cut his taxes and make sure his friend on Wall Street gets their payday too! Peace.

Reference:

Republican Tax Plan – ‘UNIFIED FRAMEWORK FOR FIXING OUR BROKEN TAX CODE’ (September 2017)