Cameroon: Ministry of Public of Works – Press Release on the state of Wouri Bridge in Douala (29.03.2019)

Total Disconnect: A New Sim-Card Registration Drive by the UCC!

Those who don’t know history are doomed to repeat it.”Edmund Burke

The Uganda Communication Commission (UCC) must be a idle force of civil servants, a big bunch of lazy people who has very little to do or even trying to make up work. Because yesterday, a breaking news, which shouldn’t be breaking news is happening again.

The UCC and the Telecom Companies have had several of drives and issues with their SIM-Cards over the last few years. As the companies was even suspended from trading SIM-Cards for a while. That is what has happen. However, it is no returning. The UCC and National Resistance Movement (NRM) likes to toy around with the public and the Telecoms as they are fountains of funds, apparently.

In this spectrum, lets build a timeline before yesterday. The first deadline for registration of SIM-Cards was on 21st April 2017. Second deadline was on the 19th May 2017, but that wasn’t enough either. Because of that, it was postponed to the 22nd May 2017. Alas, that was not the finalization. The registration run continued until 30th August 2017. This was the final one of that SIM-Card Registration drive. 

The issues in the last go around was between National Identification and Registration Authority (NIRA) with the National ID Number (NIN) activation on the SIM-Cards, as well as the technical difficulties with the UCC and the Telecoms. Therefore, as the OTT Tax is in play, the state should know, whose is who and know who pays the tax or not. The SIM-Cards should be registered in some sort of system already.

That was the issue of 2017. Now the UCC is revising this and reissuing the same sort of activity. For whatever reason they have. As they now did on the 29th March 2019. Why it is weird, is that the Telecoms had new guidelines selling the SIM-Cards from beginning of August 2017. Therefore, the need shouldn’t be there?

However, this is the latest: “The Uganda Communications Commission (UCC) has directed all telecom companies to verify the identity of their subscribers who hold multiple phone SIM cards” (91.2 Crooze FM, 29.03.2019).

Didn’t the new guidelines of August 2017 set the status clear of the ownership of the SIM-Cards, even if they have dozens of phones. The new guidelines from two years ago should have been proper and established the ownership. Especially, since all the SIM-Cards needs the NIN have to be registered now. Alas, that is apparently not the case.

How, bad can you do a job? Or how lazy are you, since you have to repeat it again? After reviewing and revising it, two years ago and tanking the Telecom Industry, because in the last go-around the state blocked the sale of the SIM-Cards. Therefore, expect something similar in this circus too. Expect it going back and fourth. Suddenly, the President will come with an final order combined with the Minister of ICT Frank Tumwebaze.

That is just how these things goes. The State House has to have a finale say, before the stamp of approval. Than, this saga might be close to end, before it returns to years later with a new modification. Peace.

IGAD: Kampala Declaration on Jobs, Livelihoods and Self-Reliance for Refugees, Returnees and Host Communities in the IGAD Region 28th March 2019, Kampala, Uganda (28.03.2019)

Brexit: In the middle of nowhere…

Pay attention to where you are going because without meaning you might get nowhere.” A.A. Milne

Prime Minister Theresa May whose career has gone towards this day, this important day of leaving the European Union. The deadline day for leaving, which was set for today. The final votes today in the House of Commons on her deal with the EU. Which she and her cabinet has used two years negotiating and the best things her people was able to pull through. That has been voted down for the third time today. Also, any other sort of amendment. So, on deadline day, the Tories, Labour, SNP, DUP or anyone else roaming in Parliament couldn’t agree upon anything.

As this is happening, the President of the European Commission Donald Tusk has issued an Crisis Meeting in Brussels with EU27 and the possible end of the Brexit with a “No-Deal” on the 12th of April 2019 instead of today the 29th March 2019. That is two weeks over time. The milk is spilt by being on the counter for that long. The same is happening to the Brexit too.

The longer this is prolonged with the Tories and PM May at the helm. It is only getting spoiled. The results are watered down. The engagements of the government and the diplomacy is failing. Whatever, PM May though would happen today. Didn’t happen, her Molotov Cocktail and sweet offering of resignation didn’t get the troops behind her. She couldn’t even muster the whole Tories to stand by her deal on this Brexit Day.

This is a wimpy and wobbling government, a cabinet and party, which is commonly known for losing in Parliament. Who is not having the majority or even getting enough rebels above from the other party lines to vote for their agenda or in this manner, the Withdrawal Agreement. That is the weakness of this government. PM May is like a boat, who doesn’t know where to find safe harbour of even a safe haven in the midst of storm. She is caught out at see, cannot see land or even see lights to save herself or her boat. That is who she is at this very moment.

That she was trying to do a kamikaze move of jumping on the sword, so that the other leaders in her party could take over and salvage whatever that was left. Certainly, the Tories must feel the fatigue and the lack of clarity. Three times voting for the same thing and it has resulted in the same thing. A resounding loss for the government. Now, it is clear, that the UK and EU are going into hardships. As the UK and Tories cannot decide how to move forward. They could never get into a way, which complies with EU laws and regulations, an the internal infighting within the Tories, their marginal but needed coalition member the DUP; And than being able to get majority for that plan.

Now, we can await the verdict of the EU. As the UK leaps into a possible NO-DEAL territory, which means hardships, lack of control and congestion. Also, lots of new regulations, more hampering movement and who knows what. Since they are an Third Country to the EU without measured statutes or agreements put in place. This will clearly be hurting the economy of the UK. The elites of the Tories will not mind, but the public of UK will feel it on their pocket and prices on goods.

Well, this is the grand, stable and steady leadership of Theresa May, the Tories had two years time to finish it and still couldn’t find ways to settle it. It never would be easy, because there is all alliances, all stakeholders and the also the outside forces of the EU, which the UK has to follow in some way or another.

Let see how this goes to 12th April 2019. Expect a devastating no-deal. Don’t expect a General Election or a new Referendum. Because, there is only the MPs of the Tories who are allowed to be asked about the “No Confidence” in the PM more than ones and the MPs themselves, who are allowed to vote for the same deal three times. However, public is only allowed to vote ones for the most costly and self-harming ballot in their life-time. Alas, there is a double-standard there, you can cherry-pick that one.

This is all made by the PM and her party, who could have fixed it. They could have negotiated and tried other avenues. But seemingly they didn’t, the David Davis, Boris Johnson, Dominic Raab and so on. Has all played their part, but not delivered anything significant. Peace.

Russian Probe: Attorney General William Barr letter on the Special Counsel Mueller Report to the Judiciary Committee Chairmen Sen. Graham & Rep. Nadler (29.03.2019)

Sudan: 100 Days of Protests and Counting!

Freedom is not something that anybody can be given. Freedom is something people take, and people are as free as they want to be”James Baldwin

Since 18th December 2018, the uprising and riots against the dictatorship of President Omar Al-Bashir, who has ruled the Republic since 30th June 1989. That shows how long he has lingered in power and continued to rule. As the President had anticipated to go into a new election and take another term.

The Sudanese have shown resilience, strength in midst of terror. Where that state has issued State of Emergency and all other measures to silence the demonstrations, the riots and uprising against their President and his party. The National Congress Party have used all methods to stop the demonstrations.

They have used live-bullets, killed and hurt the civilians showing up for demonstrations. The state have gone door-to-door, ambushed and attacked hospitals, issuing warnings to employees of sacking if they went to the streets. The state have issued warnings of keeping cash at home and not in the bank. There been so many steps issued by the state to silence and stop this.

Still, the days have gone, the amounts of demonstrations have risen, the sizes too. Even as the leaders, journalists and activists have been put behind bars. Several of people have been killed because of their bravery. They all defied the powerful state, who uses the Rapid Support Force (Janjaweed) and National Intelligence and Security Services (NISS) against the protesting public.

Every single one of the fallen, their sacrificed will be remembered, as part of the people who stood up against a tyrant. Who had everything and who ate everything. While the public had nothing or little to go by. As the President used his tyranny and his draconian laws to stop the public from engaging or having a significant role in society. The state has done what it could to stop the civil society from existing.

Therefore, the strength and resilience of the public is really inspiring, that they are continuing. Going to the streets and addressing the state, continuing to make noise and stand-up for their rights.

They will continue to fight for their right. That is justified and no one deserves to be under a dictatorship. Al-Bashir doesn’t value other people lives, except for his own. That is why so many has died under his reign and protesters been taken out like they were nothing. This is who he is and the Sudanese are ready for change.

To see the Old Man fall! Peace.

République démocratique du Congo – Note d’informations humanitaires pour la Province de Haut-Katanga, HautLomami, Lualaba et Tanganyika (29.03.2019)

Brexit: Statement by the European Commission on the vote on the Withdrawal Agreement in the House of Commons (29.03.2019)

Brussels, 29 March 2019

The Commission regrets the negative vote in the House of Commons today. As per the European Council (Article 50) decision on 22 March, the period provided for in Article 50(3) is extended to 12 April. It will be for the UK to indicate the way forward before that date, for consideration by the European Council.

A “no-deal” scenario on 12 April is now a likely scenario. The EU has been preparing for this since December 2017 and is now fully prepared for a “no-deal” scenario at midnight on 12 April. The EU will remain united. The benefits of the Withdrawal Agreement, including a transition period, will in no circumstances be replicated in a “no-deal” scenario. Sectoral mini-deals are not an option.

Ebola virus disease – Democratic Republic of the Congo (29.03.2019)

Response teams are facing daily challenges in ensuring timely and thorough identification and investigation of all cases amidst a backdrop of sporadic violence.

GENEVA, Switzerland, March 29, 2019 – The ongoing Ebola virus disease (EVD) outbreak in the North Kivu and Ituri provinces saw a rise in the number of new cases this past week. At this time, response teams are facing daily challenges in ensuring timely and thorough identification and investigation of all cases amidst a backdrop of sporadic violence from armed groups and pockets of mistrust in some affected communities. Despite this, progress is being made in areas such as Mandima, Masereka and Vuhovi, where response teams are gradually able to access once again and acceptance by the community of proven interventions to break the chains of transmission is observed.

During the last 21 days (6 – 26 March), a total of 125 new cases were reported from 51 health areas within 12 of the 21 health zones affected to date; 38% of the 133 health areas affected to date (Figure 2). The majority of these cases were from remaining hotspot areas of Katwa (36), Butembo (14), and three emerging clusters in Mandima (19), Masereka (18) and Vuhovi (17), in addition to a limited number of cases in other areas (Table 1). All cases link back to chains of transmission in hotspot areas, with onward local transmission observed in a limited number of towns and villages within family/social networks or health centers where cases have visited prior to their detection and isolation.

As of 26 March, a total of 1029 confirmed and probable EVD cases have been reported, of which 642 died (case fatality ratio 62%). Of 1029 cases with reported age and sex, 57% (584) were female, and 30% (307) were children aged less than 18 years. The number of healthcare workers affected has risen to 78 (8% of total cases), including 27 deaths.

Community engagement efforts to encourage greater local participation and ownership of the outbreak response is ongoing and has yielded some success in many areas. In Butembo and Katwa this past week, a total of 4171 households have been visited by community health volunteers and Red Cross volunteers. This past week also saw the establishment of nine community committees to enhance direct dialogue with healthcare workers and empower community members to partake in the decision-making process of the local response. Special dialogues are being held in the communities where there have been the most frequent incidents. Herein, an anthropologist first meets with the community to ascertain their concerns, then arranges for communal meetings where these concerns can be discussed, including amongst local youth leaders, women’s associations, traditional practitioners, and healthcare providers.

As of 26 March, 324 EVD patients have recovered and been discharged from Ebola Treatment Centres. In Beni, local NGOs and international teams are currently conducting eye care training for ten ophthalmologists and establishing dedicated eye care clinics to provide screening and eye care for EVD survivors. To date, 145 survivors have been screened in these clinics and a total of 293 survivors have enrolled in the survivor’s programme.

Notable strides have also been made in improving IPC capacities in healthcare facilities. Since January, IPC field teams have decontaminated over 250 healthcare facilities and households, provided over 100 supply kits, and trained over 3000 healthcare workers in IPC. A recent National IPC workshop has been completed to aid the implementation of new IPC strategies, while the establishment of an IPC task force has further improved partner communication and coordination at all levels. The work is, however, is ongoing and IPC teams continue to respond to new instances of nosocomial transmission with the emergence of clusters in previously unaffected communities and health facilities.

These local successes do not come without its challenges. When visiting communities in high risk areas, Ebola response teams sometimes face security challenges. Though no major security incidents have been reported over the last 10 days, the overall situation remains fragile. WHO and partners have recently established operational analysis and coordination centres to both gain a more holistic understanding of how we can engage communities more effectively, as well as further increase operational awareness of the day to day operations to ensure the safety of frontline healthcare workers and the communities they are aiding. WHO and partners have also strengthened physical security in the treatment centres and accommodations of healthcare workers.

Finding a balance between providing adequate operational protection to community members at risk of Ebola and healthcare workers while simultaneously winning the trust of communities remains an iterative learning process. WHO is constantly evolving the response efforts to address these operational challenges and will continue to step up collaboration with communities to increase acceptance on the ground.

*Data in recent weeks are subject to delays in case confirmation and reporting, as well as ongoing data cleaning

**Total cases and areas affected based during the last 21 days are based on the initial date of case alert, and may differ from date of confirmation and daily reporting by the Ministry of Health.

Comoros: The heist of Assoumani!

How come the total Percentage if you combine this official announced documents, become 100,01%. That CENI have to address, right?

The incumbent President Azali Assoumani was re-elected in a sham election on the 24th March 2019. It was anticipated after last year constitutional referendum, allowing someone to re-run from the same island. Even if there in all previous elections has been a rotation between the three major islands of the Union of Comoros. These being the Anjouan, Grande Comore and Mohéli. This was revised and changed, so that Assoumani could do what he did over the weekend.

He wanted to make sure that he could hold-on to power. Just like he ensured the revision of Article 13 in Constitution of the Union. That is the sort of leader Assoumani is. A selfish former army-man, a former coup leader, who has no issues using the military and arresting opposition leaders. Arresting journalists to hold grip into power.

I called him the new Big-Man. Truly he is by the stature of things. Even as he starts his second illegitimate term, which a rigged elections going in his favour and no need for a second round. That is how special Assoumani is.

Today, there been three killed in demonstrations against the results of this election. As the army has shot in the air and certainly some of the bullets have hit the civilians demonstrating in Moroni, the Union’s Capital.

If this had been an ordinary Comoros Presidential Elections, there would be someone else’s turn, but Assoumani is such a scumbag, that he revised the laws to fit himself. He sets himself over the Constitution and the average Comoran citizen. That is just the sort of man he is. Also, he needs them guns, the authority and the state apparatus to be behind him. Because, he has no authority or legitimacy without it.

The Police has dispersed protesters on the 25th, 26th and today on the 28th March. This all because of the polls on the 24th March and the announced results on the 26th March, saying that Assoumani won his second term, as previously expected. Because, why else would he in the year advance change the Constitution to fit his narrative, right?

The Opposition have retaliated by operating as a parallel government, launching a National Transitional Council, this is started by 12 of the Opposition Candidates in the Election. They are saying the election was filled with irregularities and want it annulled by the 3rd April, if not they will start with Civil Disobedience and a General Strike on the 4th April. So, there is a rocky road ahead of the newly elected and incumbent President. As, major part of the political spectrum is siding against him.

This is a self-serving, militaristic individual with no heart, but for his own belly. He will not bring greatness to the Union or any sort development. He will only selfishness and greed, that why he needs the highest office, so he can grab as much as possible. Nothing else matters. That is what his kind does. The Big-Man, the dictator and the ultimate betrayal of democracy. Peace.