

RDC: Foundation Katangaise – ASBL – Communique de Presse (20.04.2019)





Since March 2017, the Uganda Telecom Limited (UTL) have been struggling, it started even before then, but at that time. The state started to intervene, by the next month in April 2017. The state had already put the company under provincial ownership. Meaning, that the state took it over and has tried to find new ownership of this company. Something it hasn’t succeeded in. This all happened because of the Libyan crisis in 2011 and the frozen accounts of Libya Post Telecommunications & IT Company (LPTIC), which had a majority ownership in the UTL until that point. However, they didn’t get all out before March 2017. Even as there was a set-up a new board in the Company in fall of 2016. Even, with all of this, the UTL continues to live, but by mere state injections and not because it is viable for business.
Even after a year in May 2018, the Cabinet announced that they were looking for new owners, alas, meaning that the state wouldn’t have the major stake in the company. Why I am saying all this? Well, the news this week that Minister Evelyn Anite and government sources states this:
“The source added that the government had created incentives to make the company more attractive. They include managing the backbone, wiping all the liabilities off the balance sheet, and that the government would take responsibility for the pension liability of more than Shs 30 billion to former UTL employees. Other liabilities that the government would take care of include the regulator’s fees and taxes. “All these wipe off the balance sheet and handed it [UTL] to you, clearly you can start from a clean slate.” the source said” (URN – ‘Gov’t offers to pay Shs 500bn UTL liabilities’ 20.04.2019, link: https://observer.ug/news/headlines/60467-gov-t-offers-to-pay-shs-500bn-utl-liabilities).
With this in mind, the state would clean the slate of the company, an embattled one who is fighting in a competitive market. Where it is directly competing against the mighty MTN and Airtel. Therefore, the UTL needs an decent upgrade, as it has been in a stalemate for years now. Where the lack of investment in the company and the debt it have already.
We can clearly see that the company is not so viable. The lack of interest and value is shown as the President even needed to direct the state ministries to use the UTL Internet Services and mobile phone services by a letter in January 2018. That is why, a year after that, the government sources are trying to connect it even more and juice it up. Even if it has little to offer.
The UTL doesn’t look solid or offering something of strong value for a buyer. As it has a strong competition and they are on point when concerning the telecom infrastructure, which the UTL haven’t the ability to afford to do or invest in. Therefore, the next owner has to pick up, where the Libyan owners left off. Since, the state haven’t done anything else, than keeping it alive. Peace.

“I’m laughing straight to the bank with this
(Ha, ha ha ha ha ha, ha, ha ha ha ha ha)” – 50 Cent . ‘Straight to the Bank’ (Released: 26.06.2009)
Now were in the days of Post Al-Bashir in the Republic of Sudan. Where the public and revolution continues, even as the Transitional Council are continuing their rule. Two days ago his fate is getting sealed and detained at the Kober Maximum Prison. That the man of 30 years in power is now undergoing investigation by the same authorities that he controlled for so long. This must be a turn of events no-one expected. Certainly, the previous dictator didn’t anticipate this, because why else. Would he have such vast amounts of cash in his Presidential Palace.
Not that I am shocked that from the same authority, that made it illegal to have cash-in-your-home, the mastermind behind that policy and that state of emergency law had millions upon millions in his own estate/palace. Therefore, it is vindication, that the state get these funds returned from a President for Life. Whose got cut short by a military coup d’etat and later detained. Which is in the end, meaning he is losing all his privileges and entitlements. Now, the authorities are emptying his palace and while doing so, they found a treasure chest with massive amounts of cash.
As reported by Dabanga:
“In a statement, the Senior Public Prosecutor Mutasim Mahmoud announced the seizure of $351 million, €6,7 million, and SDG 5 billion ($105 million*) at the residence of deposed President Omar Al Bashir. Mahmoud confirmed that the cash is secure within the vaults of the Bank of Sudan, and that charges will be investigated against former President Al Bashir under the foreign exchange law and money laundering” (Dabanga – ‘Sudan authorities seize Al Bashir cash stash’ 19.04.2019).
We can now see, in a Republic, which was in a fiscal jeopardy, in a state of lacking foreign currency and hyper-inflation. Where the prices of bread and others needed commodities where rising. In this manner, the findings are really showing the selfish and the abundantly clear memo of what sort of leader Al-Bashir was. As he could own the State Reserves or even the total Foreign Exchange, he could have on his own spiced up the whole economy. He could have infused the funds and helped to stop the fiscal instability of the Republic. Instead his greed and his vicious heart didn’t want to give way.
That a dictator of 30 years are capable of doing this, while the common man is struggling to buy bread. Shows what sort of leadership it was in the Republic. They really started the demonstrations in the middle of December 2018, because of tiredness of the dictatorship. Which went from weeks of protests into a sit-in demonstrations at the Army Headquarters. That turned into a revolution that ended this, but they are still working to dismantling the military dictatorship of Al-Bashir; As they are working on the transition to a civilian government.
As we see with the massive amounts cash been stored in the palace of the President. It shows his intent and his actions as a President. That he had the ability to have a personal bank in his home. He didn’t need to go to the bank or even have a bank-account. Al-Bashir had enough to travel to or to live lavish until infinity. Peace.

President Joseph Pombe Magufuli isn’t the sort of guy, that handles critics or opposition well. He is the sort of guy that needs all praise and benefits of a doubt. Therefore, the latest move is in a long line of questionable behaviour from his party, his apparatus and his administration to stifle voices of another opinion.
The Tanzanian government under Magufuli is a paranoid and wavy state. Where everything hangs by a thread, if your in the good graces of the President or not. If your not or if you questions him. He will take your license, suspend your newspaper or even detain you for a various reasons. That is the state of affairs. So, that the President and his people have blocked an unfavourable report from the International Monetary Fund isn’t surprising, it is more of the same.
This is from the same man, that has arrested MPs for speaking ill of him. This is from the same man, that didn’t like articles written the The Citizen to later suspend that too. Therefore, when someone dares to question his ways and orders, he will strike with fury. That is the man, the governs and leads the Republic.
Here is some pieces of information, that might be the reason why the Article IV Report of the IMF was blocked from publishing. With the Press Release of the block from IMF, before a Stratfor explanation and projections of the World Bank.
IMF Press Release:
“On March 18, 2019, the Executive Board of the International Monetary Fund concluded the consideration of the 2019 Article IV Consultation with the United Republic of Tanzania” (…) “The authorities have not consented to publication of the staff report or the related press release” (IMF – ‘Statement on the 2019 Article IV Consultation with the United Republic of Tanzania Staff Report’ 17.04.2019).
Stratfor explanation:
“What Happened: An apparently leaked report by the International Monetary Fund contains criticism of the Tanzanian government’s interventionist economic policies and noted that they are hurting the country’s investment climate, Bloomberg reported April 18. The Tanzanian government subsequently decided to block the report’s release. Why It Matters: The report will likely serve as an alarming sign for international investors who already have been concerned that the Tanzanian government is targeting foreign multinational companies” (Stratfor – ‘Tanzania: IMF Report Criticizes Government Measures’ 19.04.2019).
World Bank Context:
“Economic performance in 2018 was mixed, while inflation remains low and stable. The National Bureau of Statistics did not release any quarterly gross domestic product (GDP) data for 2018, pending completion of a rebasing exercise. However, available data suggest signs of softening of the growth momentum” (World Bank in Tanzania – Context, 01.04.2019).
We can clearly see why the President didn’t want this to get released, also that his administration would further hit their goals, when concerning their economic forecast. This is damaging the image and also the confidence in the financial system. The IMF would have told a story that the administration didn’t want to hear or listen too.
That is why it hasn’t been released, because the President who wants all positive and praise. Cannot manage an independent entity from the outside coming with a message or projection, which isn’t fitting the narrative of the CCM. At this point, that is the message I get out of it.
Magufuli and the Tanzanian Administration could have turned the projections and the forecast. They have the ability to create stability and trust in the financial system. However, they are instead stonewalling and continuing on this path. They are not creating confidence of the acts of the government from the outside. It is backfiring instead, but this is from the administration that has to verify and give a stamp of approval to release statistics.
Therefore, we know how far this administration goes. Now, they are even stopping Article IV Report from being released. That is a sign of weakness in the economy. Peace.

Why does it have to be like this? Where is the justification to always target the radio broadcasts where the former Presidential Candidate and leader within the Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) Dr. Kizza Besigye attend.
It doesn’t matter in which town, city or parts of Uganda, where the FDC leader is speaking on-air. No matter where, as they have to inform and give indication of their arrival as per request of the Public Order Management Act, the Police Force and the other authorities knows of the movement of the FDC Leader. Therefore, when he goes to Mbale, Jinja or Kabale. The authorities are ready to arrest and take away the signal of the set-radio station.
That is just what happens again and again. It is reoccurring like a smear campaign against the man. Not only assaulting his rights as a human being and political figure, but also the rights of the radio stations to pick who they are broadcasting and interviewing. Because, if it was any of the entitled gentlemen in the National Resistance Movement (NRM) or associates of the President. They would never have arrested them on-air or sealed of the stations because of their presence.
The authorities and the regime cannot be proud of these acts, as they are just devious. They are not clever. It is more of the same and showing the mediocre signs of oppression. The sort of behaviour, which is not democratic. As the democracy is only skin deep, because every decision and every move have to be sanctioned from the Okello House or the State House. Therefore, expect Besigye and the fellow FDC leadership to be under more pressure. Since, the election of 2021 is already gearing up for. Even as we are only in the middle of 2019. Still, the pretext for that is evident. As the NRM has picked their sole candidate and the DP Block is established.
We just have to wait and see where the final destination leads us. What we do know is that the authorities and the state apparatus will continue to assault the opposition. They will persist with this behaviour and do it relentlessly like it is no tomorrow. This is deliberate acts of a coward government, who knows their lack of popularity and has to rule by fear. If they were so great and grandeur. They wouldn’t need to fear the speeches or interviews of Besigye. However, they are and does it, again and again. Peace.

If you ever thought the Supreme Court would allow the appeal on the Age Limit or the abolishment of the Article 102(b) your wrong. The 1995 Constitution is a document that is to change, as the President see fit or as he is in need.
The ones that believed that the Supreme Court would dismiss it. The result 4 Judges to dismiss versus 3 to appeal. Seems more like trying to make it balanced, than it really is. Because, the judges could have just made it 7 to dismiss or even 6, maybe even 5. Since, the result is practically the same. Close, but no cigar.
There are nothing that is changed, only that all legal remedy before the General Election 2021 is gone. The road for the sole candidate of the National Resistance Movement. Nothing will stop him, yet again. Like it is child’s play, which it is. Because, everyone around him plays to his tune. The ones who doesn’t end behind bars for silly reasons like Besigye. That is just life in the republic.
Again, and again, all the remedy, all the legal and Parliamentary steps is taken to secure the Self-Styled dictatorship of the President. In the vision and way of Museveni. If you think it is brilliant. It is not, it is just misuse of state institutions and ensuring one man get everything.
This isn’t validating a constitution or rule of law. This is validating the Presidency and his cronies. There is nothing noble or justification of it. Except keeping the status quo and the misuse of the power, which the NRM and the ones around the President already does.
If you think the verdict of 18th April 2019 is splendid and worth celebrating. Than celebrate the arrests of opposition members, the assaults on civil society organizations, political rallies ambushed, concerts blocked, journalists silenced, radios losing their licenses and everything else that is used to stop the opposition from organizing. It will only get worse, before it gets better.
For one reason, there is less and less reasons for Museveni to play around. He has everything and all laws is in hands. All the security organizations is following his memos and the Parliament is doing as directed. There is no one questioning or stopping him from doing what he says. Even if it failure and foolish.
Don’t anticipate this verdict to make things better. It won’t, it will just give the President all the reasons to continue his run. To continue his persistence of stealing, dealing and killing everyone else seeking office. Ensuring overpower and control. Giving no way. Just being him. There is no other way to look at it.
This is again, giving all the powers to the same man, that has run the republic since 26th January 1986. We could joke, may even say Bosco is out of his mind. But he isn’t, his just using the Supreme Court, like he has used everything else for 3 decades.
He just got the final nudge, the final nail in the coffin. He has abolished the term limits, now he officiated the destruction of the age limit. Who knows what is next, but this man will do whatever it takes to be in power. To think otherwise, is a lie or you haven’t gotten the whole picture. If not you are naive and thinks this is a good. Which is not.
This is validating the corruption, the arrest of democracy and also the ability of others to compete. As it is yet another fixture ready for the victory of Team Museveni. Peace.

Attorney General William Barr, the third Attorney General under President Donald J. Trump, whose been under investigation by the Special Counsel Robert Mueller for over 2 years. Today, was the day, that the public might see the report. However, before the redacted report get released. Even as the Congress and various of committee have been asking it for weeks. The Department of Justice and other in the administration. Have done whatever they can to spin the report.
Today is nothing different. Instead of letting people decide for themselves and look into the verdict of the Mueller Investigation. We get for the second time a spin from the Attorney General. Who previously only written a letter, which didn’t say much. All of the time playing the tune the President wants to hear. Surely, if he don’t, there will be a new acting Attorney General soon.
We know that the investigation isn’t winding down, we know there are still people under legal scrutiny, whose in close proximity to the President. While his former Campaign Manager, his aides and his former personal lawyer are all either felons or becoming state property soon. Therefore, it is not like the state have not found illegal or breaches of the law within the parameter of the President. It is just mere luck, that they haven’t found more or able to find more. As the Congress Committees are subpoena the people around the president and also the Trump Organization.
Therefore, the investigation is still ongoing and weird that the AG and the President are in public exonerating themselves. Even when there been so many people indicted and also put charges on. From Michael Cohen, Michael Flynn, Alexander Van Der Zwaan, Paul Manafort, George Papadopolous, Richard Gates and Roger Stone to mention a few. Whose all been in Court or indicted for breaking the laws.
That is why its rich for the Attorney General to say nothing was found and he was totally guilty. When so many was found guilty around him. The group and people around him has been taken into custody and had to answer to the rule of law. They have all been charged and even given plea deals to feed the investigation. The Special Counsel wouldn’t do that, if he didn’t believe he could build a case. That is why, it is rare and unique, that an investigation seeking this deals with several of close allies of the President. Couldn’t find a single thing on the President and further more people around him.
That sounds like spinning the report to me. I want to read that report, to see what Mueller found and what he asses. What sort of possible breaches and explanation to the erratic and hasty acts of the Trump Administration. This doesn’t sound like a true statement from them. Especially considering the reports of close communications ahead of the Presser. Where the White House and DOJ have communicated, meet and negotiated the Press Conference. This is a clear memo, that the law is directed from the Executive and not independently after the legal status, the DOJ is supposed to abide too. Just think about that and then, see if you find something wrong.
We don’t know what the report says, it hasn’t been released, only the mere biased opinion of the third AG under Trump. Peace.




Darfur has seen significant improvements in security, with some displaced people returning home but 1.6 million remaining displaced.
NEW YORK, United States of America, April 18, 2019 – Members Echo Sudan’s Representative in Describing Recent Events as Internal Matter Not Warranting External Discussion, Interference
The planned withdrawal of the African Union-United Nations Hybrid Operation in Darfur (UNAMID) by 30 June 2020 is on track, but the political situation in Sudan has changed drastically and could affect implementation of the mission’s mandate going forward, the Joint Special Representative of the African Union and the Secretary-General for the country’s western Darfur region told the Security Council today.
Speaking via videoconference from Khartoum, where the Military Transitional Council seized power on 11 April, he said the Operation is establishing contacts and working relationships with the new authorities. The international community can also start a dialogue with the new rulers to help create a conducive environment for UNAMID’s departure and for an international follow-up engagement in Darfur, he added.
“The current situation, much as it may not be desirable, provides a chance for the Sudanese to seize the opportunity to resolve all their conflicts, including the one in Darfur,” he continued. “The Council should urge the people of Sudan to have a holistic and all-inclusive approach that is representative of all Sudanese.” Noting that the changes at the federal level have had an obvious impact on Darfur, he cited acts of violence by internally displaced persons and other protesters targeting premises associated with the previous regime. In the midst of those developments, UNAMID has remained vigilant, maintaining a particularly robust posture in Jebel Marra, where clashes between the Sudanese Armed Forces and the Sudan Liberation Army-Abdul Wahid (SLA-AW) faction have continued.
Briefing on the humanitarian situation, the Assistant Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Deputy Emergency Relief Coordinator said the direct impact of recent political events on humanitarian operations has been limited so far and regular operations have continued, including a major campaign to vaccinate children against polio and measles. However, due to the economic crisis, the prices of food and medicines are rising, with the price of sorghum 70 per cent higher than it was a year ago and imports of medicine in 2018 down by one third from 2017, she said. An estimated 5.8 million people, including 1.9 million in Darfur, are presently food-insecure, she noted, predicting that, with the lean season due to start in May, that number will increase.
On the other hand, Darfur has seen significant improvements in security, with some displaced people returning home but 1.6 million remaining displacedDarfur has seen significant improvements in security, with some displaced people returning home but 1.6 million remaining displaced, she said. Humanitarian partners are appealing for $1.1 billion to help 4.4 million of the most vulnerable people, including 2.4 million in Darfur. Noting the presence of nearly 150,000 refugees from South Sudan, she stressed that the situation in Sudan has implications for the broader region. Meanwhile, humanitarian access has improved significantly in recent years, she said, adding: “At this critical time, it is essential to ensure that the people of Darfur and the rest of Sudan receive the support they need.”
Germany’s Minister of State for Foreign Affairs and Council President for April declared: “We cannot simply delink the political developments in Khartoum from our joint work on UNAMID.” Speaking in his national capacity, he underlined the need for a collaborative relationship among the national decision-making authorities, the international community and the United Nations. “If we want to develop a way forward for the planning post-UNAMID, it is essential that we have an in-depth conversation with Sudan,” he emphasized, while pointing out the absence of a counterpart on the Sudanese side with whom to engage in dialogue.
The United Kingdom’s representative reiterated the African Union’s call for a swift return to civilian rule in Sudan, urging the Military Transitional Council to heed the voices of the people, protect protestors and uphold human rights. The representative of the United States said the upcoming strategic review of UNAMID should take into account the impact of recent events on Darfur, including the Government’s ability to protect and provide for the region’s people. If the Government cannot do that, he added, the United States is in favour of the Council considering all options.
South Africa’s representative said the people of Sudan must seize the opportunity to address their differences in an inclusive manner because Darfur’s development is linked to that of the country and the wider region. A credible and transparent transition process will help to unify the nation, he said, urging the Council to rally behind the people’s ambitions and to be guided by regional approaches through the African Union, notably the bloc’s communiqué of 15 April.
Kuwait’s representative was among speakers who emphasized that events unfolding in Sudan constitute a domestic matter in which outside entities must not interfere. China’s delegate stressed the importance of respecting the decisions made by the people of Sudan and of adhering to the principle of non-interference, in accordance with the Charter of the United Nations. The Russian Federation’s representative underlined the absence of grounds for linking the events of 11 April with UNAMID’s future.
Sudan’s representative emphasized the domestic nature of events in his country since December, saying that, in keeping with the United Nations Charter, there is no justification for the Council to discuss it. The exceptional situation calls for the greatest caution in order that all stakeholders can complete a smooth transition and democratic change, he added. He went on to reiterate his country’s commitment to respect all its agreements, including those with the United Nations regarding UNAMID’s deployment and humanitarian access.
Also speaking were representatives of the Dominican Republic, France, Peru, Côte d’Ivoire, Belgium, Poland, Indonesia and Equatorial Guinea.