Opinion: The rich are so poor nowadays!

“The test of our progress is not whether we add more to the abundance of those who have much; it is whether we provide enough for those who have too little.”Franklin D. Roosevelt

Well, this time in history will be remembered, in the times that the multi-national corporations have most of them fled their regional scenes and put their headquarters and main operations into tax havens. Therefore, with this in mind, the states and republics that actually is where they make the profits get less tax and get fewer monies to spend on public services. That does not make them poor, but smart someone might say. This is legal and the openness of the economies let them do it, but to be frank, we should question this big giant corporations for their fleeing fortunes abroad.

The corporations are not alone in all of this, the rich people themselves cannot sustained this, they cannot afford to pay reasonable taxes, and they need tax-relief so they can salvage their Monte Carlo and their Lamborghini’s. They have their massive mansions and stalls of cars, but cannot pay the percentages on the tax as ordinary working-class do. In addition, the working-class use decades on end to pay down the mortgage on the house and loan on their Ford Fiesta. If they can even afford a house and a car at his point.

The American enterprise and experience is really seeing it, as they plan to repeal and replace Obamacare, because the wealthy are too broke or to selfish to help the working-class who made them rich. That the working-class and industrial worker are falling behind as new schemes to outrun their possibilities. The corporations and the believers of free economies want more flexibility, but do not give equal wages or compensations. Therefore, the loser in the transactions are the workers and not the companies. Secondly, the states earn less without added productivity.

It is naive that the businesses care about other things than the bottom-line is vicious, like the wealthy have the capacity to share the spoils, which they have earned on the commoners and the citizens. Therefore, the spoils, which in some industries entails sweatshop workers and exports to the Western hemisphere with grand profits for the clothing and appeal giants. Something that the workers in Bangladesh or Pakistan doesn’t see anything delivered back, than a filthy industrial complex and possible health hazards for their hours work on end for a lousy T-shirts.

The others are the ones who are doing mining and extraction for the technology and IT businesses that has no issues with the illegal and militias taking controls over mining fields and black-market trading of rare earth minerals or cobalt for that matter. As long as the giant companies trading computers, smart-phones and whatnot get their profits. Certainly, the CEO and other leaders in the corporations should worry of the implications and the lives destroyed while their businesses are earning loads of monies. There should be some sort of certification of the weak trading points; if they knowingly paid, some of the monies on technology could fund militias and illegal armed conflicts.

This is real poverty, that we have systems, salary structures and imports that hurt local areas, while the businesses earn fortunes, that again is flying on the merry to a tax haven in the pacific through a shell-company set-up by lawyers in Panama. In addition, this is legal and just, by law and in society. That the same companies telling their workers that they cannot afford more wages, since they have to stack millions upon millions in the British Virgin Island. So that the shareholders and stakeholders can earn profits for the toils and sweat of fellow workers.

So when I hear that the workers cannot ask for bigger salaries, while the states and republics create tax-holidays and tax-breaks, incentives for “investments” while the big-men are doling away vast fortunes in the middle of the day. Like a legal heist, a theft of both tax and salary, the salaries that could be used more in the system to gain growth, and secondly the added tax that could build roads and infrastructure that the company could need. However, hey, we do not need proper roads and wages, as long as the rich can travel to Monaco and St. Tropez whenever they feel like it. We are foolish to think otherwise!

When you hear that the rich has to get tax-breaks and their taxes cut, know that they are poor in spirit and heart. They may have vast fortunes and riches, but their hearts are empty. They do not see the problems of the day-to-day basis of the ones creating their empires. They do not see the people who buys their labeled products and services. They only see the bottom-line, the empty shells companies’ accounts and the schemes to hide the monies. That is because these wealthy people are so poor; they cannot afford to be like the rest of us.

The wealthy are so poor, they are so poor that they have to avoid taxes or pay taxes, because if they were paying taxes they would be like us. They would have the same responsibilities and have the same understanding of welfare and public services. Therefore, since they do not need the public service, they can afford to travel abroad for health-care; they can afford to send their kids to private schools and can afford to import goods. Then they do not need the support and the base line of the republic or the state. Like you and I do. Therefore, with that in mind, which is why they are so poor. Their poverty is in the mind and in their spirit; they cannot be a part of us, because they want to shield themselves from us. Still, earning our monies and taking our cheap labor, no problem!

This poor people need help, they need guidance, their riches might fall out of their hands, might be lost in coup d’état or worse than they get bankrupt. Than they need the states to salvage their business or their bank, with our tax-monies, without any hesitation, but when it was booming. That was the time they had no need of paying taxes or paying amends to the state through the regulations. Like we do and pay for our right to live and use the needed services of the states.

In these interesting times of ours, we have the riches seeking to pay-less, while the working-class is footing the bills or trying too. While the republics and states make it harder for public service and make it more expensive to pay for the needed services. This are all made in the hands of the wealthy and the multi-national corporations, without considering the implications of the commoner, the working-class nor the middle-class that are all sinking on the behalf of the rich. Certainly, the belief that the trickle-down economy should be a project avoided, but to many still have faith in the paradigm. While very, few have any social mobility or have the capacity to go from one class to the next. Peace.

Zimbabwe is apparently a high developed country, who knew?

Zimbabwe is one of the most highly developed countries in Africa and after South Africa, I want to know which country has that level of development that we see in Zimbabwe,” (…) “We have resources, perhaps more resources than [any] other country in the world,” he said. “We are not a poor country. We can’t be fragile country. We’ve got these resources.” – President Robert Mugabe appearance at the World Economic Forum (WEF) in South Africa – 4th May 2017 (Mail & Guardian, 2017).

President Robert Mugabe have never been casual and clearly understating his rule. As a ruler he wants to be certain to leave a legacy of prosperous society. Even as the Republic has an economy that been called an albatross by Governor Dr. J.P. Mangudya of the Zimbabwe Reserve Bank. Whose report earlier this year said the country lagged behind with debt repayment, deficits, lacking trust in bond-notes and the unbalanced economy. So when the Governor of the state bank of ZRB are saying this, the President of decades upon decades knows this. If not he is trying to lie. Think the world is blind and stupid on the fragile situation in Zimbabwe.

There has in recent years struggled to have fiscal funds to pay teachers, soldiers and civil servants for months on end. The hospitals have been lacking needed medicine and having equipment. So the developed state is falling. Even if President Mugabe and Gucci Mugabe are buying expensive treatment of health-care abroad and buy luxurious goods there as well.

This together with the patronage and the Zanu-PF elite who are driving expensive SUVs on the streets on Harare, Vice-President Phelezela Mphoko has lived months on end on hotels on the tab of the government. It is not like this ones will criticize the President, as they are living on his will and because they get paid for loyalty. Therefore, the Zanu-PF are trying to defend the long-staying rule and their ruler, who is apparently biblical and supposed to be President even when he is dead. Surely, tomorrow someone in Harare, a Minister or a loyal Zanu-PF spokesman will defend the words of the President.

Since Zimbabwe is so developed, since Pastor Evan Mawarire are in the courts, the flag and camouflage wear is banned. The patriotism and the #ThisFlag are a problem. Well, the movements and public demonstrations are a reaction to the open theft. The thievery done by the state, as they are selling away diamonds and other resources. The problem is also on the possibility of cash and foreign cash reserves. This is together with missing foreign currency and lack of trust in the Bond-Notes. Also with the deficit and the growing debt, are creating possibility of higher inflation. So the value of the currency will go down. If this is all true and the reality is so… than the President Mugabe was deluded in South Africa.

President Mugabe is right, Zimbabwe has resource and could have positive agricultural output, but that was if the Republic was governed properly and did other things than feeding the Zanu-PF elite. Instead of building positive policies and institutions to support and facilitate life for all Zimbabweans. That is something that hasn’t been done by the current leadership that is very close-knit by loyalty towards the President and not laws. The draconian laws and the failing economy will not create a better Zimbabwe. It will not be developed and clearly not the second after South Africa. That is just in the mind of Mugabe, who cannot help himself. Certainly, the Republic of Zimbabwe has a future and could become prosperous, but the Republic need leaders who doesn’t eat, but serve their citizens with services and policies. Peace.

Reference:

Mail & Guardian – ‘Robert Mugabe: We are not a fragile country’ (04.05.2017) link: https://mg.co.za/article/2017-05-04-mugabe-we-are-not-a-fragile-country

Burundi fuel crisis: Not only lacking foreign currency, also gov. sanctioned only 2 Petroleum importers!

The Ministry of Energy Come Manirakiza have ordered that the Petroleum at Petroleum Stations are ordered to only sell their Petroleum products between 07.00 AM to 18.00 PM. As part of the order from the Ministry this was ordered: “Distribution of petroleum products is carried out solely at petrol stations and only during the day, ie from 7.00 am to 6.00 pm. Any distribution of these products outside the above mentioned times and places will be severely penalized in accordance with the law, in particular by closing the service station, seizing the product, administering the fine, without prejudice to criminal proceedings” (Ministere de l’Energie et des Mines – N/Ref: 760/CAB/710/2017).

So the state plans to fine the stations that are selling later and not in scheduled time will be fined and penalized. This is measured done because of the fuel crisis, since the state struggles with imports. To prove how volatile the situation is this part of the measure from the Ministry to the Petroleum Stations:

All distributors of petroleum products are required to distill, without interruption, all the quantity purchased from the importers. For this purpose, they must keep daily records of the distillation indexes of these products informing them, with accuracy on the indexes of departure and closing of the day” (Ministere de l’Energie et des Mines – N/Ref: 760/CAB/710/2017).

There are reports why the Republic under President Pierre Nkurunziza lacks fuel:

“Daniel Mpitabakana, director in charge of petroleum in Burundi’s Ministry of Energy and Mines, attributed the crisis to “a technical problem at the Burundi Revenue Authority.” (…) “Another source said that fuel importers have run short of foreign currency to buy fuel, hence the shortage” (Havyarimana, 2017). So the other source are most like more honest than the Director who doesn’t want the CNDD-FDD to lose face abroad.

But the fuel crisis has been rolling for awhile as the reports goes back into early March, as the world are finally catching on it. Therefore, the reports earlier in March proves how bad it really it is:

““For over two weeks, we have no fuel. I do not know what has happened, “said one“KOBIL” gas station attendant” at Kamenge. The same situation is observed at ‘ENGEN’ gas station in Kamenge, north of Bujumbura. The pump attendant says it has been almost one month they have no fuel” (…) “Only the ENGEN and KOBIL gas stations were not providing fuel but others were supplying fuel to their customers. “We have not had fuel for over two weeks. The ‘KOBIL’ company could not stock up fuel because of the lack of foreign currency,”says the manager of the KOBIL gas station in Musaga, south of Bujumbura” (Manishatse, 2017). So if the East African Report took from this sort of report, the fuel crisis has been running before beginning of February 2017.

Here some other local reports that directly says it all: “OLUCOME, a local corruption watchdog, says mismanagement of the fuel department is the source of the problems. It accuses the director of the department of having shown favouritism and reduced from eight to two (Delta and Interpetrol) the number of companies allowed to import fuel” (Habonimana, 2017). So there are not only the foreign exchange, but also the Director Mpitabakana who has made decisions to cut importers. Therefore, the ones who are left are making it more fragile to get fuel into the republic. Not only just the lacking foreign currency, but also the favoritism of certain importing companies. Peace.

Reference:

Havyarimana, Moses – ‘Fuel shortage adds to Burundi’s woes’ (02.05.2017) link: http://www.theeastafrican.co.ke/business/Fuel-shortage-Burundi-economy/2560-3910928-iuyh07/index.html

Habonimana, Innocent – ‘Cause of fuel shortage: “No one will tell you the truth”’ (02.05.2017) link: http://www.iwacu-burundi.org/englishnews/cause-of-fuel-shortage-no-one-will-tell-you-the-truth/

Manishatse, Lorraine Josiane – ‘Fuel shortage in Bujumbura city’ (07.03.2017) link:http://www.iwacu-burundi.org/englishnews/fuel-shortage-in-bujumbura-city/

Cold War Document: “Urgent Note from W. Paszkowski on Conversation with Viktor Bakin, Counselor of the Soviet Embassy in Warsaw” (15.04.1971)

Opinion: Trump’s proposed Tax Reform is made for the wealthy and no-one else!

It is hard to take the “2017 Tax Reform for Economic Growth and American Jobs” that was released on 26th April 2017, a one page leaflet of wishes. This is shorter than most of the restaurant and they usually doesn’t have that many dishes to serve their clientele. Still, the Trump Administration and their “Treasury Secretary Steve Mnushin set out a test for tax reform that, “there will be no absolute tax cut for the upper class.” (Richard E. Neal – ‘President Trump’s Tax Proposal Another Broken Promise to the Middle Class’ – 26.04.2017). Still, with the first prospect of the wish-list of the Trump Administration is to give the rich less taxes.

An on a one-page wish-list you don’t really have the space or the care for describing the results, I look forward to read the CBO report on the proposed tax cuts. Since this should have some sort of implications, not only let the Manhattan elite afford yet another cabin in the Aspen or trip to Formula One in Monaco. They are speaking of easing the tax-codes and provide tax-relief for American families, without giving any specific detail into what that might be. I am sure the tickets of travel and the indispensable Secret Service guards to the golfing-weekends at the Mar-A-Lago in Florida has more explained reports, than these quick promises to the American families.

They are putting new brackets for the American families, also doubling deductions from the taxes and promise relief, without saying what this means, or if the families really get any serious cuts. While the Business get a shaved business tax rate from 35% to 15 %. One time tax on the Business Ownership abroad, to make sure the funds comes back into the United States. Last is to eliminate the tax breaks for special interest. So the last one, is to significantly add some tax back in the Internal Revenue Service.

So the little plan they have is to either cut and reform it minimally, while giving tax breaks to bigger corporations and the wealthy. The ones who already have the money and earns the profits, get to pay less, while the ones who needs or could have need of serious reform doesn’t get it. The ones earning on this wish-list is the Wall Street connected individuals, the Multi-National Corporations and the Limited Liability Companies (LLC). This sort of tax reform is made for the richest, not for the working class or the average voters who voted for the current President.

This is just another proof, that the President Trump isn’t there to drain the swamp or even trying to stop the major corporate takeover of Washington D.C. and the Capitol Hill. He is more of the same, just infused with less coded language and straight-face doubling down on the foreplay for the business executives. There isn’t anything in the works that proves that President Trump want to care about environment or health of his population over the profits of Goldman Sachs, Merrill-Lynch or any other significant private sector business operative like Exxon-Mobile. All of them will get the blessings and their days in the sunshine. As long as their Manchurian Candidate Trump are in office.

There aren’t anything that proves otherwise, his Executive Orders has been for easement of the businesses, not for the well-being of the population nor environment. The lacking care of the citizens and only caring for corporate citizens will clearly alter the pledges and promises. Certainly, the ones who voted for him should feel betrayed. The corporate greed in the United States is endless, as all the lobbyists, the paid senators, paid representatives and other legislators in Washington D.C. follows their donors more than the public. Just look at Ted Cruz record of praising the Mercer family and their values. Than you get a prime time example and all of the Republicans working for the Koch Brothers will.

The same is now happening from the oval office, with no restraint or any care of the consequence, if they fail or bitterly accept the truth. Doubt it, as they will double down and say it is for the common core, while the true tax cuts is for big-business and multi-national corporations who will have a surge of profits. The supposed trickling down theory will be put into play, while more of the monies will go into the pockets of the wealthy and the difference between the richest and poorest will grow even more. The lack of care from the state combined with the massive wealth, will really also destroy the society and make the ones left behind even feel more vulnerable, but that is not a concern the Trump Administration has. They only care for the billionaires and millionaires, not the ones living on food-stamps or on government subsidizes, as this government would easily have axed all of that.

I look forward to see the estimates from a real tax-plan from the Trump Administration, one with the implication and proposed reaction to the taxes and cuts. If the Trump Administration after these sort of cuts ever compare themselves to previous administrations and their cuts. They should be careful, as this will spike the deficit and the borrowing will grow enormously, into amounts that make the Democratic government look careful and fiscal sound. But it is only the Republican Presidents and Governments who is allowed to act as drunk dogs and then complain when the democrats doesn’t serve them at the last call. Certainly, this is the prospect of this sort of acts. This will not be for the American families, neither for the middle-class, this tax cuts are for the business owners and the wealthy who pockets dozens of millions on this without any consideration on fiscal funding of the budget, nor the expenses running the current government. But hey, Trump wants to downgrade the American economy and also weaken the dollar, so this might be one of the many ways he tries to do it. Kudos! Peace.

European Council (Art. 50) guidelines for Brexit negotiations (29.04.2017)

Revealed: The Ministry of Tourism, Wildlife and Antiques in Uganda have not appointed needed boards for their agencies!

The Ministry of Tourism, Wildlife and Antiques came to sort of revelation in Parliament, that shows the lack of governance and institutionalism that is too common in the Republic of Uganda. That the National Resistance Movement has established agencies under the ministry, but have no-one running them. They have not even appointed boards or even have procedures to select the appointments to them. What a special event. Just take a brief look at the assessment that the Parliament Watch describes from the session today!

“The Committee on tourism trade and Industry has learnt that the different agencies under the Ministry of Tourism, Wildlife and Antiquities have no Boards. For example, Uganda Tourism Board, Wildlife Education Centre, Uganda Hotel, Tourism and Training Institute. Members have urged the Minister to inform the Prime Minister and the President in the next Cabinet meeting that the Committee will not consider the budget unless the Boards are instituted by the Ministry. Committee observed that it is a deliberate move to control agencies through the line ministry” (Parliament Watch, 25.04.2017).

A definition of a board from Meriam Webster says this: “a group of persons having managerial, supervisory, investigatory, or advisory powers” (Meriam Webster – Definition of board). So the ministry do not at the current state have the capacity to involve people to have a managerial or a supervisory role over agencies beneath themselves. That must be the true definition of steady progress, as state affairs goes, aye?

Like Uganda Tourism Board was already established by 1994. So the NRM has had the time to handpick the men and woman fit for the works and roles, still they have none. So the one agency involved in marketing and promoting the republic as a travelling destination does not have a board. Even the web-page of UTB says this: “The Minister of Tourism Wildlife and Antiquities, appoints the Board of Directors for Uganda Tourism Board on a 3 year term. The Board has an oversight and advisory role over the work and plans of UTB. The Board of Directors is headed by a Chairperson supported by members representing public and private sector tourism stakeholders” (UTB – Board of Directors link: http://www.corporate.visituganda.com/about-us/board-of-directors/ ).

So the Ministry themselves should have the ability to make decisions fitted for appointing the needed personnel, without having the blessing of the President nor the Prime Minister. This is just one of the agencies and it didn’t take long time to look into it, the funny thing was, when you tried to go to the “Management Team” link on page, the only thing coming up on the page was “Bad”. So the knowledge of missing links and personnel is even visible to the tourism flagship page.

That the Minister Ephraim Kamuntu has work to do and people to employ certainly, also to get budget to keep their salaries in balance, as the agencies does need funds. Certainly, he has a State Minster Godfrey Kiwanda Suubi, who must have some insights and knowledge of some heads to collect. In addition, the Permanent Secretary Doreen Katusiime got know somebody fitting the program and vision of the agencies. If none of these three smart and bright, fellow appointees of the President can pick someone to the boards. Than the Director James Lutalo, should be able to find someone, educated and experienced in the field to envision the progression of the tourism industry and the wildlife experience in Uganda.

With the abundance of Presidential appointments to the Ministry, they should have the capacity and the ability to get the boards up and running, as well as a check-and-balancing act, to see that they do what the Ministry are supposed to do. So that the destination Uganda, can be a splendid travel for tourists. To make sure that they can have the best time while being there. Peace.

UN Experts April Report reveal certain horrific facts from South Sudan!

 

A group of UN experts has sent their letter on the intelligence they have on the current conflict in South Sudan, as the related information from this letter can be used for further work and next level assistance to the republic. That the sovereign republic that has been in internal conflict since it session from Sudan, therefore, the need for strong intelligence to understand the situation. Some parts of this letter, is old news as the reports have steadily come on the fighting and the problems inside the nation.

That the dire situation in South Sudan is clear, the revealing thing in this letter or report says some new stuff, but not much. Still the evident of certain issues is clear. That the escalation of battlegrounds in more provinces, and also the levels of child soldiers. Secondly, the possibility of several nations exporting arms to the SPLA to further the conflict. This being Ukraine, Egypt and Uganda. These should know that their cooperation are furthering the bloodshed in South Sudan. Take a look!

Conflicts in many regions:

In the weeks preceding the submission of the present report, SPLA conducted offensives in Upper Nile, in particular around Wau Shilluk on the western bank of the Nile near the Sudanese border; in and around Yuai, northern Jonglei, in the territory populated mainly by the Lou Nuer; and in locations in the Equatorias, in particular the region around Kajo Kaji, Morobo and the hinterlands around Yei near the borders with the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Uganda. There have also been reports of fighting in central and southern Unity, near Mayendit and Leer (the home area of Machar), in rural areas of Western Bahr el-Ghazal and near Torit in Eastern Equatoria” (…) “During the same period, the most significant military operations by SPLM/A in Opposition were undertaken by the affiliated Agwelek militia under the command of Lieutenant General Johnson Olony in Upper Nile at the end of January. While it is unclear whether SPLA or SPLM/A in Opposition/Agwelek initiated the fighting, the latter subsequently shelled multiple SPLA positions in and around Malakal, in Wau Shilluk and north towards Renk; both sides engaged in ground operations; and SPLA launched an incursion into Wau Shilluk as well as northern Jonglei, which had been under the control of SPLM/A in Opposition since 2013. SPLM/A in Opposition has since launched a counteroffensive” (UNSC, P: 16, 2017).

State Economy:

The central bank has almost exhausted its foreign currency reserves, which has limited its ability to play a role in stabilizing the economy. To avoid default and provide liquidity, it may have borrowed between $80 million and $200 million from commercial banks, rendering those banks unable to meet the obligations to their customers, and printed notes, exacerbating inflation. The lack of foreign currency reserves and the risk of losing control over inflation have resulted in repeated requests by the Minister of Finance for international financial support. By the beginning of March 2017, however, no budgetary support had been pledged. To close the budget deficit of some $200 million, the leadership was considering the cancellation of State fuel subsidies” (UNSC, P: 17, 2017).

Child Soldiers:

On 15 December 2016, the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) reported that 17,000 children had been recruited to join the fighting in South Sudan since 2013. As the security situation deteriorated, UNICEF reported a corresponding increase in child recruitment. Some 1,300 children were documented to have been recruited in 2016 alone. In a marked departure from 2015 when 1,755 children were documented to have been released by armed forces or groups, only 177 children were released by armed forces or groups in 2016” (UNSC, P: 24, 2017).

Food Security:

Between February and April 2017, about 4.9 million people — more than 40 per cent of the total population — are estimated to be severely food insecure. The total number nationwide is expected to rise to 5.5 million at the height of the lean season in July if nothing is done to curb the severity and breadth of the food crisis. The key areas being monitored by humanitarian organizations are central and southern greater Unity, greater Bahr el-Ghazal, drought-affected greater Pibor and the counties of Fashoda, Kajo Kaji, Kapoeta, Lainya, Malakal, Manyo, Morobo, Nasir and Yei in greater Equatoria” (UNSC, P: 30, 2017).

Scorched earth:

In its report of 6 March 2017 (A/HRC/34/63, para. 86), the Commission on Human Rights in South Sudan summarized the situation as follows:

The Commission deems the continued restrictions and impediments on access to vulnerable populations placed on the United Nations and humanitarian agencies operating in South Sudan unlawful. The ‘scorched earth’ policy may amount to starvation, which is prohibited by international law as a method of warfare, as is denying civilians safe passage from besieged areas. The civilian population is not provided with adequate food or access to health care, and their right to life is often threatened or breached by all parties to the conflict throughout the country” (UNSC, P: 36, 2017).

Violations of UNMISS mandate:

Sustained, systematic violations of the status-of-forces agreement have continued. There were 21 violations, by civilian and armed actors affiliated with SPLM/A in Government, recorded in January 2017 alone. The largest category of violations (10) were movement restrictions imposed against the United Nations. Such restrictions prohibit UNMISS from patrolling in areas in which conflict has flared and human rights violations are being reported, impeding the Mission from implementing its mandate to protect civilians and monitor and report on human rights abuses” (UNSC, P: 37, 2017).

Weapons import:

As described in its report of September 2016 (S/2016/793), the Panel obtained a contract signed in May 2015 between SPLA and a company called Egypt and Middle East for Development for the provision of “Panthera armoured vehicles”. The number of vehicles and the technical specifications are not outlined in the contract, but the stated value of the contract was $7,187,500. The company contracted to provide the vehicles is registered in Egypt and based in Cairo” (UNSC, P: 38, 2017).

L-39 Jet acquisition:

In February 2017, the Panel received information that an IL-76 transport aircraft departed from Kharkiv, Ukraine, on or about 27 January 2017, bound for Gulu, Uganda. The aircraft manifest indicated that it contained two L-39 jets and engines provided by Musket OU, a company based in Tallinn, that had been overhauled and that the flight was operated by the Ministry of Defence of Ukraine. Subsequently, the Government of Ukraine confirmed to the Panel that the two jets were listed as being operated by the Ugandan military and that the end user certificates indicated that the aircraft were to be used only for advanced pilot training. Given Czingáli’s roles in both South Sudan and Uganda and photographic evidence of the jet he operated in South Sudan, the Panel is investigating whether jets based in Uganda have been operated in South Sudan, contrary to the provisions of the end user agreement. The Panel is investigating reports that the jets have been involved in military operations in South Sudan” (UNSC, P: 40, 2017).

The Security situation together with this knowledge says it all and then you should understand why there are so many refugees fleeing from South Sudan. The SPLM/A are more worried of getting of arms, than making sure the humanitarian intervention are safe, as well as citizens having food security, as the rebels and the state forces are now even using the scorched earth tactics. Meaning that all means of oppression and getting rid of possible livable atmosphere is gone. This combined with the child soldiers, the arms procured and the famine, is surely a tragedy in the making. The world shouldn’t look away, but engage. This is to many innocent civilians getting hurt by the power-struggle to control Juba and earn the profits of the oil. Peace.

Reference:

United Nations Security Council – ‘Letter dated 13 April 2017 from the Panel of Experts on South Sudan established pursuant to Security Council resolution 2206 (2015) addressed to the President of the Security Council’ – S/2017/326 – (13.04.2017)

Did President Museveni set-up Hon. Kabafunzaki for the three counts of corruption?

It is the responsiblity of every human to know their actions and the consequences of their actions and to ask questions and to question things when they are wrong.”Michael Moore

As it been told by the unraveling stories on the corruption scandal landing our way, is that Herbert Kabafunzaki went into a trap at the Serena Hotel, where everything was prepared, even the camera’s and the media was there at the arrival. As the Police Officers was the closely monitoring if he would eat the monies offered by the Aya Group. What makes me suspicious is two new revealed things, not the three counts but this.

Kabafunzaki charged on three counts of corruption for soliciting a Shs.15M bribe and directly accepting 5M bribe in exchange for clearing Mohammed Hamid from allegations of sexual harassment” (NTV Uganda, 11.04.2017).

So with the knowledge of the counts of corruption put on the State Minister Kabafunzaki, as he is lingering in Luzira Prison. This revelation in New Vision earlier if true, show’s that it is something missing right now: “He was allegedly arrested with an envelope containing the money by a combined team of Special Forces Command and Police at around 3pm” (…) “Hamid said President Yoweri Museveni was informed about the minister’s demand from which Police was tipped” (Lumu & Etukuri, 2017).

Three key aspects here, that should not be put under the rug. That the businessman himself, the one who needed to clear his charges of possible sexual assault tipped of the President. That means that the President himself called the Special Force Command, the group that has been run and become his Maj. Gen. Muhoozi unit inside the army and than also tipping the Police Force. This shows how little institutions and how little care there is inside the Security Organizations. That they follow the orders of the President blindly.

Secondly is that the mixed Special Force Command, army personnel are together with Police while arresting a fellow Minister and State Official. That they are there without warrants and for-warning. Thirdly, which are mysterious, that the Aya Group has the direct-line to the President. Also shows how license and business in general is operated in Uganda. That the foreign investors are directly in the loop of the President!

Counsel Kenneth Muhangi (Kabafunzaki’s lawyer) has presented three sureties as requested by court for Minister Kabafunzaki’s bail application. State prosecutor asks court for stringent bail terms including hefty amounts of money, passport & a land title. State prosecutor also wants Minister Kabafunzaki to report to court weekly if granted bail” (NBS TV Uganda, 11.04.2017).

So the Minister set for Luzira is really in a pickle and has a few hefty nuts to crack. This corruption scandal and Aya Group ordeal will be hard stain to wash off. Hon. Kabafunzaki can clearly look guilty and can be determined after the evidence to set so as well, but the idea that the President knew from Aya Group’s own Hamid, the man paying the bribe. Says something is wrong. Why would the one fixing the bribe and the payment of the Minister keep the President in the loop? Why? Secondly, why aren’t the Aya Group and Mohammed Hamid charged with trying to corrupt a fellow State Official?

His P.A. pleads guilty:

Brian Mugabo, the political assistant to Minister Herbert Kabafunzaki, pleads guilty of the charge of accepting a bribe of Shs5m from AYA brothers, on behalf of the minister and trying to make the minister escape punishment by throwing away the Brown envelop that contained the bribe” (Wesaka, Anthony – Daily Monitor, 11.04.2017).

So that the PA didn’t ask for guidance or even advice before the trial, as the Minister brought his set of lawyers, as the PA did say he was guilty of accomplice from the get-go. Makes the whole events seem stranger. Have the PA already made a plea-deal and made sure his future is set, as he did fix the set-up for the State Minister? Since the Personal Assistant usually keeps the diary and the other needed administrative tasks a Minister needs. Therefore, he knew what was happening at Serena Hotel and who he was meeting.

What still, doesn’t stop pumping in my chest, as the bets are off and the trials are really starting. Why did the Aya Group report to the President Museveni before the arrests and reveal the corrupt behavior of the Minister?

Because the counts shouldn’t only be on the State Minister and his PA, why isn’t their any case against the company who planned to alter the sexual assault case with him. Not that I want this minister free as the tapes and the revealed evidence to the public. There are many lose leads… there are many things leading one direction. But will the State House and the President say why they intervene and make arrangement for this too happen. That is how it looks and it is weird that these conclusions can come. Since a President should have better things to do, than to incriminate a fellow Parliamentarian… Peace.

Reference:

Lumu, David & Etukuri, Charles – ‘Minister Kabafunzaki arrested for soliciting bribe’ (08.04.2017) link: http://www.newvision.co.ug/new_vision/news/1450604/minister-kabafunzaki-arrested-soliciting-bribe

Wells Fargo internal report proves vulture capitalism practices from their banks in California and Arizona!

An internal investigation report into the practices of the Community Bank in Arizona and California proves the inner-workings of always be closing paradigm that was manipulating and also hurting their own workforce. Where the retail bank of the Wells Fargo in the states of Arizona and California had such methods of trading and selling that cheated to get to levels that the leaders set.

The employees was constant put into pressure of sales and get the highest turnover. That even the witnesses sandbagged their family members into bad accounts and deals with the bank to met the expected sales. The reality of the practices proves the vulture economics voodoo who sold duplicated accounts to costumers with no need for it.

There so many aspects of the leadership and the practices like these… shouldn’t be needed by the big-banks and affiliated like Community Bank. The Community Bank and their operation breached not only public trust, but also they manipulated their corporate practices. This report is showing how far banking management can take it!

Aided by a culture of strong deference to management of the lines of business (embodied in the oft-repeated “run it like you own it” mantra), the Community Bank’s senior leaders distorted the sales model and performance management system, fostering an atmosphere that prompted low quality sales and improper and unethical behavior” (Wells Fargo, P: 4, 2017).

The Community Bank identified itself as a sales organization, like department or retail stores, rather than a service-oriented financial institution. This provided justification for a relentless focus on sales, abbreviated training and high employee turnover” (Well Fargo, P: 7, 2017).

Witness report on how the Community Bank used Scorecard system:

Witnesses recalled that bankers were encouraged to make prospect lists of friends and family members who were potential Jump into January sales targets, and often would “sandbag” (temporarily withhold) December account openings until January in order to meet sales targets and incentives. The pressure associated with the campaign manifested itself in higher rates of low quality accounts, as confirmed by the “Rolling Funding Rate,” a quality metric used by the Community Bank to track the rate at which its customers “fund” (place more than a de minimis amount into) new checking or savings accounts” (Wells Fargo, P: 21, 2017).

The negative consequences of these regional bank-wide processes were exacerbated by management in certain regions who over-emphasized the use of sales rankings and campaigns and employed other aggressive practices. California and Arizona in particular consistently ranked among the top states for sales practice problems, in part based on sales pressure tactics encouraged by certain regional managers” (Wells Fargo, P: 22, 2017).

In Arizona:

Multiple witnesses also said that Conboy or certain of her subordinates encouraged bankers to sell customers “duplicate accounts” regardless of actual customer need. One manager reporting to Conboy lamented that Arizona district managers “taught branch managers how to sell same day multiple account opens to customers with false customer needs”; another reported that “some Managers and Bankers feel a bit uncomfortable opening multiple DDA’s [sic] on the same day for a customer” because “it feels as though they are manipulating the sales system.” Conboy also told subordinates that they should not overemphasize quality accounts, but should manage to the Community Bank’s minimum quality standard in order not to miss productive sales opportunities; Conboy stated to one district manager that “your team should be managing within the 87.5% [Rolling Funding Rate] guideline at a store level . . . You and I have discussed the opportunity costs of 100% funded accounts . . . my direction would be to coach your stores and MPs to remain above the combined 87.5% [Rolling Funding Rate] . . . .” (Well Fargo, P: 25, 2017).

Sales Staff treatment:

Because good performance was deemed in large part to mean meeting or exceeding sales goals, and poor performance in many instances led to shaming or worse, many employees believed that their future at Wells Fargo depended on how many products they sold. In a January 2012 email to a colleague, a Community Bank marketing leader wrote that, despite an increased emphasis on customer needs, “we consistently put more focus on solutions, we increase the solutions goals . . . the message [employees] are receiving is that Solutions continue to be king and everything else falls below that.” (Wells Fargo, P: 30, 2017).

What we can learn by this and see, is that Wells Fargo and their affiliated companies has had vulture capitalistic tendencies, where the leadership pushed their sales-team and their results with enormous profits. That the branches and leaders even misuses funding and duplicate accounts to meet the quotas needed. So the hazardous business practices did not only hurt the costumers, but also the inner works of the Community Bank and Wells Fargo. This sort of scandal should show the reasons why the government and federal institutions needs to regulate the banking industry. A banking industry that has no issues with having vulture practices if the loose regulated systems of the United States today. Peace.

Reference:

Independent Directors of the Board of Wells Fargo & Company – ‘Sales Practices Investigation Report’ (10.04.2017)