Statement from Human Rights Observers incl. Kingi Snelgar, a Māori lawyer, at Ocheti Sakowin Camp on the ‘Dakota Access Pipeline’ (10.09.2016)

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Opinion: I am not worried about the Iphone7; I’m more worried about grander issues!

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I am worried not worried about the new Iphone 7 or its headphone features. That doesn’t get a fig of imagination as the reality is so much deeper than the American Tech Tax Evasion in Ireland as the Multi-Billion dollar profits of Europe doesn’t deserve to pay the Nations that they are trading their goods in. The Apple Company are greedy gutsy and expect me to care about features and design. They deserve discredit for their blatant Sports Direct ways of scrapping paying tax in Europe. Did they call Mike Ashley to get advice on how to solve issues of avoiding being honourable and actually paying tax like ordinary fellows? Than when they have to cough up money after being sued by the Irish Republic then they claim to stop having their business and sacking thousands of people for actually doing what they we’re supposed to do all along. Pay tax on the profits and now trying to scam their way to get rid of taxes. This proves that the Apple Corporation doesn’t have only have a headphone problem, but a heart problem and cynic dissolution dividing themselves from ordinary folk’s ears and minds. Their Apple Geniuses at the stores need to pay tax on their income; the same should the CEO and the Boards for their profits. Maybe time to frame the company to the pedestal of European scams of fraudulent behaviour for their fear of tax from European nations.

Well, there are other issues boggling my mind today as the continuation of oppressive behaviour in Ethiopia as Oromia and Amhara protest been silenced with the army aggressively cracking down and assaulting the population. As the country we’re supposed to celebrate New Year’s, still the internet is blocked in Amhara as the fear of knowledge and intelligence leaking to the world apparently. Still, the Government has blocked the phone lines in the area to. So with mercenaries and Agazi squad assembled in the area with heavy artillery and even bombings proves the extent the Ethiopian Government goes to silence their own population as the American Ally on the Horn of Africa is allowed to act as it please.

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Just to give you a moment and to let it sink in: “Secretary of AEUP, Adane Tilahun, in hiding after imminent arrest threat for interviews he gave to VoA”. If an interview get you into such trouble that you have to hide from the authorities than there are showing their no-reason non-sense control of the citizens as they are bombing and assaulting their own. Also, doesn’t want the word the out!

I am worried that people forgetting the violence of Gabon after the rigged election for the second Generation and Second term President Ali Bongo Ondimba; who just “won” with 4000 ballots after the 3 day doctoring of the ballots that gave him 98% votes in his stronghold. I was expecting 100% and a few donkeys on the tally. Jean Ping the former AU man have been tarnished and been demoted, even if he won the election; the Bongo presidency still controls the Authorities and Institutions. That the world doesn’t react to men not stealing a chicken, but a nation; we can be so grand in our ignorance because it is more important that the Iphone 7 can use ordinary Audio Connection and not Apple’s own Headphone system.

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What also worries me is the current state of CORD and Jubilee in Kenya; as the newly united party under the Jubilee Party and their structure together with the workings of the new board for the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC). President Uhuru Kenyatta and DP William Ruto can sell their story even if it fiction or reality to the people with their expensive PR campaign of Prado cortege through Nairobi and the Summit of setting the program. As the new pledges and fixing the cartels for Sugar and Coffee and all other industries; end corruption and fix the Mombasa port. But, if they do so doesn’t they recycle the pledges of past, will the Jubilee promise more stadiums and infrastructure projects, like making the grandest airport out of the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA). Wonder if that will happen?

What I worried about is the men and woman who will jump ships and what their values of parties really was; let say certain individuals who has been Flagbearers, Senators, Governors and MPs for a dozen of Jubilee parties as there we’re 12 of those bad-boys in the current administration. There will be less tickets as you slash 11 parties… that means that in some districts there will dozen of candidates, new and old who will do whatever to get their seat as there is not enough place in a new structure compete the places in a new National Executive Committee and others.

So if these MPs and whatever position in the Jubilee who shuttle over to the Cord, than what is the difference and what is the key aspect of the Cord if they take in everybody who isn’t “good” enough for Jubilee and their new tickets. An if so, they should already have older or new blood through the parties of Cord that doesn’t need the high-blooded and thinking of their own ticket than about the general clue to why there are politicians. To represent the constituencies an citizens where they need support. If MPs and such are opposition are easily leaving Cord for Jubilee, why we’re they in opposition was they there because they didn’t have credit or ability to be part of current government until now? We should just worry about the values of these politicians and their wish for making a difference and even create a better future for their children’s children. Not to talk about making clearance and making sure that the debt cycle of Kenya doesn’t go over hurdle of the future ability to pay the rates and bills instead of building projects and salaries.

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I am worried about the state of affairs in Zimbabwe as the government doesn’t have cash, the banks are empty of Rands and Dollars. The bond notes are coming with future debt while the Zanu-PF elite are riding expensive SUVs through streets where people are begging to take out the savings from the banks. Zimbabwe and President Robert Mugabe are threating the demonstrations with “enough is enough” while the Courts are allowing it. The same Police and Anti-Riot Police commanders that have thrown tear-gas and brutality against citizens are still getting the same treatment as the other civil servants. The Police are now not getting a raise, not getting salary on time and also the same struggle as the nurses, soldiers and everybody else as the budget deficit is growing bigger and bigger. Since also the Finance Minister recently painted the grim picture and with the oppressive behavior from the Central Government has lost touch totally with their own citizens and their view of righteous and just actions from the ones that are facilitating businesses and safety.

I am worried about the silence on the crisis in Burundi, as the CNDD-FD youth group ‘Imbonerakure’ has apparently raped over a 150 girls in the recent days. This is happening as after the start of the third term for Pierre Nkurunziza as the President. With that in mind the assassinations and killings of opposition, military leaders and police officers proves that the AU/EAC based dialogue is pointless as the parties are silenced by the regime and the ones aggressively retaliating makes the civilians in the cross firing fleeing to Uganda, Tanzania and Rwanda.

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Well, I am also worried!  Even Rwanda have been connected to groups violating the government and to a point of coup plot against the CNDD-FD regime; not strange as the High-Coltan exporter Rwanda are stealing Coltan from DRC and exporting better quality and levels of resources than their mines and mountains doesn’t have. Still, the world isn’t worried about the absence of justice in Beni, DRC and the RDC issues of thieving with guerrillas Nord (North) Kivu and the areas around. Paul Kagame likes to eat on stealing and killing as he has done all through his Presidency, still nobody questions him and let him by high quality weapons without any problems.

I am worried about the current instability of Juba, the PoC and United Nations actions in South Sudan. The Troika looks like three stooges who doesn’t cover their actions and expect warriors to be peace-loving drones as the riches get by the gun and not by dialogue. The Government of National Unity (TGoNU) that has installed Gen. Taban Deng Gai from the SPLM-IO and the SPLM-IG President Salva Kiir. The battles in Western Bahr El Ghazal State in the town of Wau; this proves the battles between the different fractions.

That the former Vice-President Dr. Riek Machar are back to heal in Khartoum where he was loyal before, while the SPLA where fighting Khartoum to get freedom from the Sudan Government under President Omar Al-Bashir. So the iconic leader of South Sudan seems lost, while Gen. Taban Deng Gai hasn’t had the control of the opposition even as the TGoNU have been able to get a battalion from SPLM-IO to Juba because of his appointment. The worrying is that both TGoNU and US spokesmen saying Machar doesn’t having any rights to get back to Power and be underling under President Kiir. That he giant level of fleeing citizens to Uganda and the little bound monies to camps in Northern Uganda proves the UNICEF and underfunding of the United Nation Refugee Agency that are running the refugee camps together with the NRM regime of Uganda. This show’s level of internal problems in South Sudan affects the Ugandan politics and funding.

This is just some of the things that go to through my mind. So I am not worried about the headphones of the Iphone7 and their technical changes from the last edition. There are bigger questions and more hard questions to ask about the world. Like why are the world still taking the so-called Presidential-Candidate Donald Trump serious when he recycling his lies to an extent that if you took the account of monies the Apple Corporation didn’t pay tax in Europe, the amount of lies that we’re not questioned by journalist towards Trump would be practically the same. Enough for now! Peace.

Opinion: Silencing people for profits; Thank you Social Media Corporations for your Self-Censorship!

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“Senator Finistirre is still fighting for his causes:

Interviewer: What do you say to the people who claim you are destroying cinema classics?

Senator Finistirre: mmm, no. All we’re doing is using digital technology to tastefully update movies of the past… by removing cigarette” (Thank You For Smoking, 2005)

Today the madness is clear, it is vindicated as the Youtube and their affiliates have censored and taken away advertisement monies from their channels and direct videos added on their page. If they are not up to standard fitting certain advertisement companies and their agents who pick videos fitting the standards of the companies that need to sell their products. Surely the chocolate industry doesn’t want to connect to the videos addressing the Syrian violence. As much as Political inspired videos who are steering a conversation is not something to connect H&M to. Still, the conversation made by certain by these videos broadens the perspective and also adds to genuine interest for otherwise intelligent debate.

If we just want water-downed sexed out headline whores of Donald Trump, than the Colgate and Nike can use the ratings to spike their sales, but that does not extend the democracy or the discussion we might need.

The reality today is that the giant corporations are really steering the conversation with their decisions. In the recent days and also earlier this year Facebook also showed their true colours. As they have actually taken away pictures of the Vietnam War Photo as the Aftenposten in Norway have written about the Iconic Photo. This been taken down because the little girl is naked on the photo and that is disturbing for the Internet Service and the Social Media.

Facebook have before also even deleted WikiLeaks Democratic Party E-Mail leaks post on their page. Just the same has happen on Twitter as the sensitive picture of the Vietnam War for them as well. The Mark Zuckerberg really suck; to be frank Suckingberg is the proper name for now. Zuckerburg and Facebook! Facebook owns Youtube who has been addressed already for their clearance and political motivated advertisement ban on the videos.  I am sure they have deleted pictures on Instagram as they own that to, because the Gram can’t handle certain political MEME’s.

That all of these Social Media and Video Provider are their own businesses; they are free to do as they please, but still worrying as they are common networks for sharing information in the modern world. It is a reason why some become members to Facebook just to get invited to certain parties and social events as they are not sent through slow-mail and not even E-Mail. With this common knowledge the internet providers and Social Media power of Facebook and Youtube, can either be investor and advertisement friendly or like they are becoming a Censorship haven for Political Correctness and not for conversation. Because if an Iconic Photo from the Vietnam War becomes an issue and if videos with cursing and discussing not so humble topics; than the Youtube and Facebook can become the innocent little cry-baby that will not change discourse, but trade their soul to Kelloggs.

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Is that what Zukerberg want to do to M-Pesa as well, so it can become PC and act as tool for technical monopoly and control the internet companies? We can question that because it is interesting that the photos of old have to shade because of nudity. That is similar to the quote I started this piece with. Thank You For Smoking is social political satire, but it is happing in front of our eyes as entertainment usually mirroring the reality. That is what is happening now and the Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and other media are doing it. They just don’t know it.

They are doubled edged swords who cut themselves in the tail while suiting their suitors just like dictators pays of their media houses and their loyal elites to cling to power. The same ways does Facebook, Youtube and Twitter to fit the programme of H&M, Nestle and Unilever. That proves the capacity of indulgent media who trades their justice for a buck. Trade of their own freedoms to fit the marginalized boards and owner of multi-national corporations instead of the world citizens; than we can do two things!

First, we can buckle under and cry havoc over the misfortune of the corporate misgivings, the Zukerberg’s who wants to friends with Corporate buddies instead of us, the people. Or we can stop using their social medias and create own. That if we want it free, just as the other portefolios of the past of information has gone from being government censorship into the public. With the public and commons decisions the Media Houses and Entertainment companies had for instance accept that the people we’re taping music on cassettes instead of buying Hank Williams at the Gas Stations for long car-trips to the coast. I am sure they felt the same with the VHS where we captured and taped the magnificent stories of Lassie and Walt Disney Corporations; even if the Disney Corporation felt insulted as they didn’t earn enough cents on the dollar on The Great Mouse Detective (1986).

With this in mind, the people can as number two still use it, but sanction the companies that are behind the insulting censorships, meaning the corporations who are dropping advertisements on Facebook, Youtube and elsewhere. Because if their hit for inability to give the people ability to converse and to share their thoughts. The censorship show the access of free speech and trust between corporations and people are dwindling.

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The Media Houses have already been compromised by less budgets and less adverts as the Internet and free content on places like Social Media are stealing funding. As the tabloid click-based fuelled non-questionable content are spreading like wildfire.  Instead of the pictures like the back-in-day photo of Vietnam War who actually once upon the time changed discourse. That should say something about Political Correctness, the Advertisement friendly environment of Social Media and disillusioned Zuckerberg’s who in quests of getting dollars have forgotten a key aspect of the people. The people share their opinions, their pictures. Not all make sense to add like pornography or nude children per say. The reality is that the Vietnam War pictures showed the cruelty and massive assault on the fellow human beings. Would the same corporation have trouble with starving kids of Biafra as they wasn’t nude, but we’re describing malnutrition and adverse civil-war in Nigeria in the 1960s? A piece of me saying that wouldn’t care, would you?

This will not stop here as the giant corporations and their partly ownership of the Social Media will not stop here. Not now and not in the near future as the Ads and paid sponsorship of the corporations owning the Social Media need the fuel of money from the giant multi-national corporations and their standards. They want to be on the right side of them; so they can be feed and earn their money. Still, that does not mean we got to accept this blatant disregard for the past and for the present. There are difference between child-porn and iconic pictures. Something the Facebook should have ability to do and be able to correct. If not then they are not serious shop and having hired the right personnel to look over the content added on the page. A wise-guy like Zuckerberg should have the capacity to see that, but he is excusing himself with poor words of non-sense. Time to man up and kiss the ring. If not, than he wouldn’t know what hit. The worst that would happen would be dozen of using suspending their use and spot using the Social Media and Corporations owned by Facebook. If we did they surely would know why the sanctions against the conversation… against the truth and against freedom of speech. Something that is worthy fights and we the commoners always have fought the battle to be able to speak without fear and with censorship from our master. Now it is just digitally and not directly on paper. Otherwise it is the same ways as in the past. The elite, the rich want us to be silenced and they want to earn on us without being questioned. We the people shouldn’t accept that. Peace.

World Bank Statement on Zimbabwe (08.09.2016)

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The World Bank Group is committed to work with all partner countries, including Zimbabwe, to achieve their long term development goals. We care deeply about the well-being of the people of Zimbabwe.

Contrary to what has been reported in some media, Zimbabwe is not currently eligible for financing under IDA’s turnaround facility. The Zimbabwe Turnaround Eligibility Assessment Note that was leaked to some outlets is an unofficial draft document that has not been approved by the Bank.

The World Bank will only resume direct lending to Zimbabwe when the issue of arrears is resolved. This approach is standard to all International Financial Institutions.  Upon arrears clearance, Zimbabwe would be eligible as a borrowing member of the Bank to a broad range of financing instruments.

Zimbabwe: Hon. Chinamasa paints a dark economic picture in the 2016 Mid-Year report!

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Hon. P.A. Chinamasa had to report about the current state of Fiscal and Economic Status in the Zimbabwean Parliament today. The report of his speech and numbers are not a wonderful picture. I have quoted the numbers that is most interesting.

The Agricultural and Mining shows how the different economic place the output is. Especially the loss of output and the yields of grain in the current year in Zimbabwe have been dire. The levels of debt, payments of the debt and the loans can be seen as “vicious cycle” from the Government and how they will act upon this. Let’s take a look at the numbers!

Gold Mining:

“Already, notable gains were registered in the gold sector during the first half of 2016, also benefitting from capacitation of small scale miners through the US$100 million mechanisation facility organised by Government and the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe” (Chinamasa, P:12, 2016).

Currency Vows:

“Honourable Members will also be aware of recent initiatives by the Reserve Bank to ease tight liquidity constraints through promotion of plastic money, e-banking services, and broader use of multi-currencies, among other measures” (Chinamasa, P:13, 2016).

Maize Program:

“During the first half of the year, Government introduced a US$500 million Special Maize Production Programme which targets utilisation of 400 000 hectares of land, with registration of interested qualifying farmers currently underway” (Chinamasa, P:16, 2016).

More on Grain:

“This year’s estimated maize grain harvest of 511 816 tons falls short of the normal national grain requirement of 2.2 million tons” (…) “Government interventions to provide for the national maize grain deficit of 1.7 million tons are being complemented by private sector and development partners’ imports” (Chinamasa, P:75, 2016).

Brazil food program:

“This complements such other facilities as the US$98 million More Food for Africa Programme supported by Brazil, under which farmers’ access, on a cost recovery basis, farm equipment and implements. This includes tractors, disc harrows, fertilizer spreaders, boom sprayers, among other equipment” (Chinamasa, P:16, 2016).

National Budget 2017:

“Government will take advantage of the forthcoming 2017 National Budget to propose some of the necessary measures to address any emerging gaps in order to remain on course towards the realisation of the further advancement of our Zim Asset agenda” (Chinamasa, P:18, 2016)

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Economy 2016:

“the economy is facing strong headwinds, with major challenges being experienced in the economy and business activity during the first half of the year than what the 2016 National Budget anticipated” (Chinamasa, P:19, 2016).

Reasons for the struggling economy:

“Depressed international commodity prices, particularly for our minerals” (…) Limited domestic and foreign direct investment, also associated with our debt overhang” (…) “The growing fiscal deficit, also impacting on the liquidity of the financial system, as well as on business activity” (…) “The resultant overall fall in incomes and weakening of domestic aggregate demand” (Chinamasa, P:18-19, 2016).

The Reversed projections of worrying numbers are -4.2% on Agricultural Output in 2016, the same with the Electricity and Water Output -21,8% and also the -5% Public Administration. Instead of scheduled GDP on 2.7; it’s projected instead to be 1.2; which is about the same as the 2015 numbers, but really shaved since 2013-2014 (4.5 and 3.8) – (Chinamasa, P: 19, 2016).

Inflation:

“Annual headline inflation remained negative, albeit accelerating from -2.19% in January 2016 to -1.4% in June 2016. The continued decline in prices in 2016 was driven by both food and non-food inflation, underpinned by the sustained depreciation of the South African rand; subdued international oil prices; and waning domestic demand” (…) “Annual food inflation, which averaged -4% over the period January to June 2016, was weighed down by declines in the prices of meat; bread and cereals, milk, cheese and eggs, oils and fats; and vegetables, among others, owing to improved supplies and competition from cheaper imports” (…) “Declines in prices of housing, water, electricity, gas and other fuels; furniture and household equipment; transport; clothing and footwear among others, however, continued to weigh down on non-food inflation” (Chinamasa, P:20, 2016).

Budget deficit:

“During the period January to June 2016, revenue under-performance against over-expenditures resulted in a cumulative budget deficit of about US$623.2 million, far above the full-year target of US$150 million”. By June the total revenue: $1.692.4 billion and the total expenses: $2.315.6 billion; which means the target by June 2016 is $623.2 million that is over $475 million deficit (Chinamasa, P:37, 2016).

Projected Deficit:

“Failure to contain the budget deficit in the shortest possible time will worsen the deficit to an estimated year-end level of over US$1 billion” (Chinamasa, P:37, 2016)

Vicious Cycle:

lack of capacity to service domestic debt has also seen roll-overs, which are posing some financial risks on domestic debt instrument holders and domestic financial institutions” (…) “This situation, unfortunately, is not tenable and is undermining the stability of the financial sector and overall economy” (…) “Government borrowing is also crowding out lending to the private sector and, hence, stifling new domestic investment and growth” (…) “This is creating a vicious cycle, whereby excessive Government borrowing leads to poor performance of the private sector and, in turn, diminished future tax revenues” (Chinamasa, P: 38, 2016).

Government Salaries:

“During the first six months of this year, pay dates of the public service, grant-aided institutions and pensioners have had to be periodically rescheduled from normal programmed pay dates as a result of resource constraints“ (…) “the staggering of 2015 bonus payments that stretched into July 2016 resulted in difficulties in paying the June salaries on time, thereby forcing Government to shift the pay dates into July” (…) “The Public Service pay dates cycles have since been modified by spreading payment of the monthly wage bill over six payment dates from the previous four payment dates” (Chinamasa, P: 39, 2016).

Government debt:

“The country faces a huge external debt overhang of around US$7.5 billion as at end of June 2016, with arrears accounting for almost 80% of the debt” (…) “the debt overhang is militating against the country’s efforts to mobilise reasonably priced long-term lines of credit” (…) “Clearance of arrears and unlocking of new financing will require that Zimbabwe builds capacity to honour old and new debt obligations to IFIs and other bilateral and new lenders” (Chinamasa, P: 40-41, 2016).

“Total external debt of Public Enterprises that has been guaranteed by the Government is estimated at USD$2 billion as at end June 2016. Public Enterprises are failing to service their debt and all the guarantees of US$2 billion have been called up” (…) “This has contributed to an increase of Government arrears by US$1.75 billion (25% of total external debt), further worsening the country’s low credit worthiness” (Chinasa, P:211, 2016).

Cash Strapped:

“the banking sector was exposed to cash shortages, largely as a result of macro-economic challenges facing the country, including lack of fiscal space and the current account deficit” (Chinamasa, P:45, 2016).

Import-Level:

“The still relatively high import level has also meant a high current account deficit, which is estimated at US$2.5 billion during the first half of the year, and constituting 12% of GDP” (Chinamasa, P: 67, 2016).

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This numbers are showing how bad it really is, the debt and loans. The deficit of earning and the burden of the expenditure towards the fiscal revenue show the lacking fiscal responsible economy.

The fiscal deficit and the cash-strapped economy show the legitimate worry, together with the current monthly loans and debt. Not only adding debt when also having enough economy to pay the old debt. Together with issues gathering possible new loans as the Low Credit Worthiness.

The other is also the inflation of prices and such is a reaction towards the missing cash and debt burden. As also the problems of fiscal funding and creates more debt for the Republic of Zimbabwe.

I think the numbers speak for themselves. Don’t you think? Peace.

Reference:

Hon. P.A. Chinamasa – ‘THE 2016 MID-YEAR FISCAL POLICY REVIEW STATEMENT “Improving Investor Confidence to Enhance Productivity” PRESENTED TO THE PARLIAMENT OF ZIMBABWE ON 8 SEPTEMBER, 2016 (08.09.2016)

Watch: Recession is unlikely in South Africa – Pravin Gordhan (Youtube-Clip)

Secretary-General’s message to the Sixth Meeting of the States Parties to the Convention on Cluster Munitions (07.09.2016)

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[Delivered by Ms. Mary Soliman, Acting Director, Geneva Branch, Office for Disarmament Affairs]

I am pleased to greet the Sixth Meeting of the States Parties to the Convention on Cluster Munitions. I congratulate the Netherlands for assuming the Presidency of the Meeting and for leading its preparations. I also thank Switzerland, the host country.

Over the years, States, international organizations and civil society have worked together to establish and implement a solid legal norm prohibiting the use, development, production, acquisition, transfer or stockpiling of cluster munitions. This unity has made the Convention a success.

I congratulate Colombia, which ratified during the First Review Conference last year, as well as Cuba, Mauritius, Palau and Somalia for joining the Convention most recently, bringing the number of States parties to 100. The United Nations will continue to support all efforts aimed at the universalization of the Convention.

With the adoption of the Dubrovnik Action Plan, States parties have set an ambitious path of concrete actions and specific deadlines for the Convention’s further implementation by the Second Review Conference in 2020. Actions are to be undertaken in the crucial areas of universalization, stockpile destruction, clearance and risk reduction education, victim assistance, international cooperation and assistance, transparency and national implementation measures. Our shared hope is to achieve the destruction of additional stockpiled cluster munitions, the release of previously contaminated land for productive use and, ultimately, a reduction in the number of new victims.

Ridding the world of heinous cluster munitions is a moral and humanitarian imperative. I wish you every success as you embark on your important deliberations.

Mystery of President Mugabe trip to UAE/Dubai and why it is really troublesome!

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It is just weird how things go, that the ageing President Robert Mugabe of Zimbabwe left for Swaziland for a South African Development Community Head of State Summit and left the kingdom for no-apparent reason, instead of coming home. This just happens as the citizens are reacting to the abolishment of demonstrations from the Harare Police of the Central Business District in the Capital are denouncing demonstrations for two weeks.

This happens as the Zimbabweans we’re making ready for the third #ZimShutDown where even the buses of Harare wasn’t going and other shops we’re closed in solidarity with the peaceful public disobedience towards the Zimbabwe African National Union – Patriotic Front (Zanu-PF) and their aging leader.

The Zimbabwe Shutdown 3.0 was still occurring as the speculations of why he didn’t arrive home and went away.

Default Explanation:

“According to online flight data, Mugabe landed in Dubai at 7:20AM local time, after taking off on a chartered Air Zimbabwe plane, Boeing 767-2N0 (ER) UM1 at Harare International Airport at 10:45PM on Tuesday” (…) “This was about three hours after touching down from Swaziland, where he left the 35th SADC Heads of State and Government Summit, which ended yesterday” (…) “Mugabe’s spokesperson, George Charamba” (…) “saying he rather left the media dwell and delight on “a default explanation” that his boss was ill” (…) “Each time you people don’t know the purpose of the President’s visit  there is always a default explanation that he is ill” (…) “So the life of the President springs between a known mission and illness. If I don’t tell you the purpose, it should be illness” (…) “I will not give you the purpose of the President visit to run away from the default explanation. This is not new. It is year in, year out; he is sick, he died and resurrects. His life until age of 92 revolves around illness and death” (NewsdzeZimbabwe, 2016).

Air Zimbabwe 01.09.2016

Certain rumours the Zanu-PF doesn’t want out is that the son of Mugabe, Robert Mugabe Junior had been partying hard in Dubai and we’re taken by Local Police on Drug Related incident in the place to be for the wealthy. So the President travelled to Dubai to bail out his son.

The issue was that no information we’re giving for the flights, has even before the SADC Heads of State the same plane had hit the Nairobi and such. The reports that it had been in Nairobi on the 26th August 2016, so the issues of having a President that isn’t anywhere or anywhere where the Civil Servants will know or even Parliament of Zimbabwe will know.

This happens as the President briefly just left the Summit and we’re supposed to pass by Singapore and instead left for United Arab Emirates (UAE)… or as many says Dubai. When the people don’t have any knowledge of the reason or quest the ideas keeps coming. President Mugabe has fallen asleep while having Press Conference with Japanese dignitaries; so what his true mental state and health situation is not easy to know, because that is not a good look for any honourable to fall asleep amidst cameras and journalists.

The issue also was the last information on the 1st September was the plane had left Zimbabwe on the 29th August, but no information of any flights after that. As the landing in Dubai was the last and not Singapore as somebody expected, even was more expected to be able to hold-out a Summit in the fellowship of SADC.

That is something the older President Mugabe cannot handle right now. As he had to go to Dubai, either to bail-out his groomed son or going to hospital.

What matters is how he waste the government funds on travel, doesn’t take care of domestic business at the regional summit, because it is more important with his own family as the economic situation is ailing. He still see fit to pay for the flights, the charges of having a aircraft on the Dubai International Airport and also covering the days spent in the not in-expensive city in the UAE. This shows the level of using the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe as his personal ATM.

The proof of little accountability of the man is with the reasoning of the spokesperson who claims it happens because of his age, partly true, partly wished by some and also worry by the Elite who eats of the ticket of the aging President; the reality is that the action and depleted economic foundation as the President continues to blame others than his own inaction. He has had the time to leave a policy and economic fundament for growth. If had the wish to, but instead has grabbed ever single opportunity to loot as the liberator he is.

The proof of that is how he used the planes in recent days without any thorough explanation or consideration as most of the men and woman in Zimbabwe has enough with the day-to-day. They cannot all of sudden take an Airplane and leave for exotic destinations.

Robert Mugabe

But then, there haven’t been in the interest of Zanu-PF to be accountable as the Vice-President Phelekezela Mphoko, been lodging for months at a Hotel and paid for food there on the government accounts. The proof of the not caring about Tax-Payers monies comes from the President that apparently can just fly away for days and pay for services of any kind in Dubai, United Arab Emirates without any consideration of cost. So the system is in place to wreck the economy for the Zanu-PF elite and let the people be left alone.

So the accountability, transparency and the little knowledge of the reason for the travel is the main concern, together with the cost of travel and lodging as the facilitation has to come from Central Government and the hampering of the initial codes of conduct. The sudden flight and the strange how little accountable the President has to.

President Mugabe can do as he pleases and Spokesmen has to make any kind of suggestion and answer as he doesn’t care. Mugabe has gotten away with any kind of behaviour and doesn’t respect the will of the people, because his own will and power is what matters. He talks Zanu-PF party, but when he does speak that he means himself. The same he does when he speaks for the Zimbabweans and wanting him in charge. It isn’t the will of Zimbabweans who wants that, they want a government that actually cares and wants to try to deliver. Not a government that uses government funds on the elite and doesn’t care for making sure there are jobs and food security for citizens. This is really lost! It is such a lost cause under the current leadership and the current President Mugabe. Peace.

Reference:

Newsdzezimbabwe – ‘Mystery over Mugabe Dubai Trip (01.09.2016) link:  http://www.newsdzezimbabwe.co.uk/2016/09/mystery-over-mugabe-dubai-trip.html

#AmharaProtests: The Western Media doesn’t care about it!

Baha Dir Snipers 02.09.2016

“We have also found evidence that foreign interests have actively been financing anti-peace elements based in the diaspora” – Prime Minister Hailemariam Desalegne

It’s sad day for all the ones that are tormented by the Agazi Squad of the Ethiopian National Defence Force (ENDF) in the Amhara State, as a prison in Debretator burns and inmates escapes. That the Army is using helicopter and snipers killing civilians is not appalling the Western Media anymore apparently. They are appalled by the state of affairs that the fellow demonstrators are burning down Dutch Owned Flower Factories in the area.

Not amounts of citizens killed the cut of communications like Social Media, Internet connection and telephone; as the civil disobedience that is silenced by Ethiopian People’s Revolutionary Democratic Front (EPRDF) and their special unit of Agazi. Together with 25,000 soldiers sent for the mission to silence them. That doesn’t the Associated Press, Washington Post or any other Western Media in general.

Like ESAT have reported:

A source from Bahir Dar who spoke to ESAT said over a thousand troops have arrived at the City Airport on Thursday and had received instructions from the Chief of Staff Samora Yunis, who established a command post in the city two days ago. The forces were warned about mingling with the public, the source said” (ESAT, 01.09.2016).

That is one city in the region that is taken over by the army as the soldiers are not supposed to engage the public or mingle with them. A thousand soldiers are occupying the local airport, not creating peace, but uncertain stability. That should make the world stutter, but for some reason it don’t.

More from ESAT:

In Amba Giorgis, TPLF forces shot and killed 26 people in the last two days alone. An eyewitness told ESAT that he suspect some soldiers were mercenaries bought by the regime to carry out the massacre. The source did say about the origins of the mercenaries but residence of Amba Giorgis believe they were Sudanese border security turned mercenaries by the TPLF. The forces went door to door, beating residents. Most of the youth in Amba Giorgis were hiding in the bushes to escape the massacre, the witness said adding that the town was under a complete siege by the forces” (ESAT, 01.09.2016).

That the flower farm burnings are worrying signs, but it is a reaction to the government violence in the region, as the citizens has no way of answering the government with force. They answer with peaceful means as their lives are on the line, the troops, heavy artillery and tanks taking over the streets. Still, the Western Media cares about the flower factories more than the dozen of lives that in the mercy of mercenaries and Agazi squad. Why doesn’t this create havoc and doesn’t make the world stunned about the shady ways of silencing the public in Amhara? Why nothing of any sort, but Dutch owned roses burning are the grand issue?

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs wrote this about it today:

The Prime Minister himself said foreign elements who do not want to see Ethiopia use its natural resources were distributing huge amounts of money to extremist Diaspora groups. In fact, this is not confined to those organizations which are given arms, money and support by the regime in Asmara, and which, like “Patriotic Ginbot”, make no secret of their aim to overthrow the government by force” (…) “Those taking advantage of the situation include critics of Ethiopia or supporters of Eritrea like Bronwyn Burton at the Atlantic Council who organized a roundtable in Washington on Wednesday this week. This offered two opposition politicians the opportunity  to discuss the current state of political affairs in Ethiopia without contradiction, allowing them to hold forth on what they claimed had been “primarily peaceful demonstrations”,  the cost of living, lack of employment opportunities and a restrictive political and media environment” (02.09.2016, Link:    http://www.mfa.gov.et/weekinthehorn/-/asset_publisher/2h3rKVhCHgKq/content/prime-minister-confident-in-the-government-s-ability-to-deal-with-problems?_101_INSTANCE_2h3rKVhCHgKq_viewMode=view).

EPRPF and PM Hailemariam Desalegne cannot be serious that snipers, mercenaries and tanks will bring peace? Giant rockets and heavy artillery to calm people down. If they wanted peace with Amhara people they wouldn’t come with troops and the strong national army they would come with dialogue and offering to justify the legitimacy of the actual government. Something that isn’t appearing or consideration, it is easy to kill the Amhara people because they are disposable; the international community only cares about the investments there anyway. That is why I am mad at the media.

This happens as the Government clearly bans and summons the business community in Finfinne. As the paperwork here shows:

Ethio Finfinne Order P1

Ethio Finfinne Order P2

There are also reports that farmers from Amhara and Oromo are planning to boycott selling food to Addis Ababa as a reaction to the oppression.

It shows the ability of resistance in the Amhara public when they do what they can to answer the central government violence. What is worrying is how little the international media cares about the military seizure of the region, how the check-points, snipers, tanks and all other equipment is used to kill civilians, but Dutch owned flowers are the step to far. Kill a few Amhara people, we don’t care, destroy Western investments in the region and all of sudden we should care. That is just cynical and damn wrong.

The Papers who has pressed the Associated Press story, congratulation for suppressing the key-issue; the reality as your looking at one piece of a giant problem that are militarized and pure violence on own citizens. It’s like looking at a dead tree near a polluted lake. Writing about the state of the tree, but not caring about the polluted lake that is destroyed the ability of the tree to live in the area. The same is the evident covering of the crisis, the massacre and the designated army attack on civilians in Amhara. Peace.

My belief now is that the President Museveni we now see; Is a leader without a Vision!

M7 NRM

The Parliament of Uganda is supposed to discuss and read the Constitutional Amendment Bill of 2016. This happens as both Speaker Rebecca Kadaga and Deputy Speaker Jacob Oulanyah will not want to be responsible for ushering in the bill. As the current parts of the bill is to amend the Constitution.

The 1995 Constitution that already have been amended and fixed to be perfect for the Executive and his party; the strangest thing is that President Museveni didn’t see his future and how he would act. Because the Constitutions have already abolished the Presidential Term limits, something that happen just in time for the third term; for some reason the President had only written the ability to have two terms. That is without counting the first period where he wasn’t elected, but selected by the gun!

President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni and his National Resistance Movement (NRM) prove again their inability to be honest with themselves and with the public. That is because their leader and President don’t have a true vision. Except for the vision that is the man with the vision, without knowing what that vision is. Because if he knew what vision he had the stability of government functions and built institutions would be steady. Since it isn’t so, it’s a proof of the inability to have a steady vision.

Because of that lack of vision and ability to see his own future and how it will turn by his actions; it was by rare luck in the race between him and Dr. Paul Ssemogerere that he blasted out the pledge the citizens the promise of Universal Primary Education (UPE) and he actually worked for it for a while, especially when the donor funds to it came as well. The President Museveni doesn’t have a vision and has an ability now to fix his future. If he had than he been on the farm and not spoken the same lingo of fighting corruption while dropping brown envelopes and extra fees for signing bills and acts in Parliament. That is why the Parliamentarians are travelling to the United States.

That the man who spoke of leaders sitting to long and talking retiring after two terms is still there shows that he has no real vision. If he had a real vision he would have left behind a legacy, a fiscal responsible government and made ready for the next in line to continue his progress. But President Museveni doesn’t have it in him, his only vision was himself. So the Constitutional Amendment is in another Member of Parliament’s Hon. Kafeero Ssekitoleko and Hon. Paul Amoru who doing the bidding for their master.

Museveni Kyankwanzi 01.08.2016

Even if it was his idea as it is not really news, it has been at former leadership trainings on Kyankwanzi Resolution of 2014 of the Movement said this:

“Live in Kyankwanzi where the NRM orientation and retreat is on going! Resolution has been passed to extend the term limit from 5 years to 7 years!”.

This never happen, because the vision of the President is not existing. If so then he would have managed to pulled through the 2014 Resolution from the Leadership Conference of the Party. But the Museveni doesn’t have that. He we’re able to pull through as younger man and still without fatigue of age the Constitution and nearly 10 years later fixing the Constitution again to amend his lacking vision.

The lack of vision, the vision which isn’t a vision; if he had a vision he wouldn’t be a walking budget who drops 100m Shilling at Nakawa SACCO and also at certain public NAADS in Mukono recently. If he had a vision there would be accounts, accountability and structures for these monies and not just when he pop-by like limited edition Santa Clause. Well, that is because of lesser known vision and knowledge of the reality on the ground.

Just like the vision must be lost in all the giant programs and infrastructure projects that doesn’t seem to be genuine and honest to fix them all; seem more like business to get loans and aid than actual development. That’s like recycling old pledges and promising town and city status during the campaign. Yet, another proof that he has lost his touch and views of any kind of vision.

So that the man is now using MPs to secure his future and getting MPs to vote himself into longer stay in power, isn’t powerful, it isn’t revolutionary. If it was revolutionary than the former despots and tyrants of the world was the ones who drove engineering and invention; most likely that happen in places where people wasn’t told how to think. In the same mind when a leader doesn’t accept the will of the ones he leads; he isn’t visionary. What he really is? More scary; because the values of the citizenship… gets devalued because their leader doesn’t have any vision and doesn’t need to deliver anything to his citizens.

I know it is harsh, but I have compelled him to be racketeering gangster. A man without a vision and just running government on random is being on the up-and-up!

Salim Selah NAPIL

President Museveni doesn’t have a clear vision, when the main goal is getting fellow Members of Parliament to vote himself for life. That is the endgame of the Constitutional Amendment Bill of 2016. If they abolish and rewrite the words of a President cannot be older than 75 years old. The Old man with a Hat doesn’t have a vision under the hat. On his head now he has a hat and he has an expensive car, he buys the MPs to vote his will and uses the speakers to whip them into his line. If he doesn’t’ do that his family leader Gen. Salim Selah talks and fix. Just like he did with the lost-boy Go-Forward Christopher Aine of the Amama Mbabazi Campaign Team; who he got to show up like a rabbit out of a hat.

President Museveni isn’t visionary anymore; he isn’t clear and doesn’t have clear prospect of what he want. Other than getting loyalty by the ones he can pay for their silence and get credit for other people’s work. If not he will complain that others haven’t completed it.

The President is without a vision and only leads because he get checks and controls the people, not because he cares about Government or the Institutions of Government; he is there for his ego and his own wish to rule them all. Therefore he has pushed for the East African Federation, but he will not get the will of the Tanzanian, Rwandan or Kenyan to set him over them. They don’t respect him in that way, unless they can gain some pocket-change from the old man with the hat (Still not a vision). That is why they we’re both fighting for his attention now recently, because the Tanzanian and Kenyan wanted to be sure of the Crude Oil Pipeline.

By now, he doesn’t work for better government, but for a better position for himself and his family. That he even said in an interview to BBC in 2014. So the people shouldn’t forget that. Peace.