Somalia: Letter of Complaint to H.E. Ambassador Sivuyile Bam of AMISOM – “Dereliction of the objectives of the mission and lack of political neutrality” (17.12.2018)

Opinion: Is it the FDLR attacking Rwanda… or is the M.R.C.D?

Are we now seeing a new spike in insurgency from the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), as there have been in the past, which militants and rebels have entered the DRC from Burundi, Rwanda and Uganda to attack in Southern and Northern Kivu. This is something that has been going on for decades and several of militias and rebel outfits has sustained areas, where they are earning bountiful fortunes on the toils of despair in the region. That is well known, but still persists as the civilians and the public is paying the price for this.

However, this year, we have seen return of violent attacks, fatal of such inside the Rwanda. This from groups, which are connected with Rwandan nationals and supported there, earlier in the year, Mouvement Rwandais pour le Changement Democratique (M.R.C.D), who came as alliance between for ex-FDLR leaders, National Council for Renewal and Democracy (CNRD-UBWIYUNGE), Rwandese Revolutionary Movement (RRM and the Party for Democracy in Rwanda (PDR-IHUMURE). Who all came and was willing to attack Rwanda. That happen in June 2018, through the Burundian border at Cibitoka Province from the Kibra Forrest into the Nyungewe Forrest in Ruhengeri District. Where they caused havoc.

Now, over the weekend there is reports that across and around the border of Goma, there has been a tense situation as the FDLR/RNC have worked together and attacked the Rwandans. Killing two soldiers. These reports doesn’t match with other statements coming out.

Nilepost reports: “At least two Rwandan civilians were killed and eight injured when attackers set fire to three passenger vehicles in the southern Nyamagabe district, which borders Burundi, said a Rwandan army official. Army spokesman Innocent Munyengango said in a statement that the army is pursuing the attackers who retreated into Nyungwe Forest, a mountain rainforest area that is home to wild chimpanzees” (Nile Post News – ‘Two Killed in Attack in Rwanda, Near Border with Burundi’, 17.12.2018).

Some claims it is the FDLR in connection with Imbonerakure, the CNDD-FDD militant Youth-Wing, but that is just mere speculation at this point. There is an armed FDLR-Foca and the M.R.C.D. but how powerful they are is questionable at this point. Even as they have a history and has been able to train and mobilize troops in the past.

Why I am thinking this, because it was the alliance of the M.R.C.D that promise to assault and overthrow Kagame, not the dispatched FDLR, the FDLR-Foca has enough havoc to do inside the DRC. With this in mind, with the news of a new insurgency, it seems like the former ex-FDLR with the M.R.C.D is up to something in Rwanda. As they did earlier in the year too. Since they are following the same pattern.

What is also striking is the border tension with Goma, which is on the other side of the Rwandan Republic, which means that is a whole other group. That means they would attack into Gisenyi or similar. Because through the forest your closer to Bukavu, than to Goma. Since Gisenyi and the Nyungewe forest is far apart. Seems like there is two different operations going on. Unless, they are trying to spark a flood of attack on two borders, to stretch the army of Rwanda. However, then you need man-power to have the ability. That is another ballgame.

We cannot know yet, but there mere speculation can begin, as the Rwandan and militants are secretive organizations. Who only claim something if they have something to gain. We have to see, also if the Burundian government want to counter-claim the rumors of Imbonerakure involvement. Nevertheless, that we cannot be prove per now. Peace.

Peacekeeping chief honours Tanzanian troops in Zanzibar, a year on from deadly DR Congo attacks (17.12.2018)

Besides the 15 Tanzanian peacekeepers serving under the blue flag who lost their lives, 44 others were wounded.

DAR ES SALAAM, Tanzania, December 17, 2018 – A year on from the brutal killings of 15 United Nations peacekeepers from Tanzania in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), the head of Peacekeeping Operations (DPKO) paid a visit to some of the victims’ families on Friday, to honour the memory of the soldiers who died in what was the biggest single loss of ‘blue helmets’ in recent history.

Speaking on the island of Zanzibar, home to 13 of the men, Under Secretary-General Jean-Pierre La Croix promised families their loved ones’ service and sacrifice, would never be forgotten.

“I know that it’s difficult to find words to express your pain. But let me assure you, that as you will never forget your brave heroes, we will never forget them as well,” he said.

The peacekeeping chief’s address concludes a two-day visit to the country, where he also met with members of the Tanzanian People’s Defence Force.

On 7 December 2017, suspected Allied Democratic Force (ADF) fighters, a rebel militia based in neighbouring Uganda, ambushed a contingent from the UN Stabilization Mission in DRC (MONUSCO), at its Company Operating Base in Semuliki in the Beni area of North Kivu. A protracted fire-fight ensued between rebels, the UN blue helmets, and Government troops.

Besides the 15 Tanzanian peacekeepers serving under the blue flag who lost their lives, 44 others were wounded.

The North Kivu region in eastern DRC, has been the site of numerous assaults on UN peacekeeping forces. Two months before rebels struck last December, two other blue helmets were killed in action and another 18 wounded in an attack on their base in the same area.

Secretary-General António Guterres has called the 7 December killings an indicator of the growing challenges faced by the UN’s peacekeeping operations around the world, and in remarks directly following the attack, he dubbed the deliberate acts “unacceptable” and “a war crime.”

During 2017, more than 110,000 peacekeepers were deployed across 15 missions around the world, and nearly 19,000 UN personnel work in DRC alone, making it the second largest peacekeeping mission behind UNMISS, in South Sudan.

Since its establishment in July of 2010, 154 peacekeepers have been killed, serving with MONUSCO.

In response to regular attacks in the Beni area, MONUSCO and the Congolese armed forces (FARDC) jointly planned offensive operations, which began on 13 November of this year, where the alliance managed to retake key territory from rebel control, in an effort to build a future free from fear.

 

South Sudan: National Salvation Front – Press Release (17.12.2018)

Opinion: Odinga explanation of his role doesn’t make sense!

The Building Bridges, the Handshake is really a proof of someone trying to be opposition, but acting as government after all. The Jubilee Government got a lot out of the handshake and that has proven all year round. As the Opposition has no say or no voice. Apparently there are reasons for that and President Uhuru Kenyatta must known he did the best bargain ever. He has nearly no issues, no official opposition as they are co-operating. They are trying to get their cut for working with the government.

That is how it looks like and smells like, that is why these answers are proving that in way, because the denial is there too. Look for yourself.

Raila Odinga answers to an interview:

Power is in government and it is wielded by those who hold the instruments of power such as the president, his deputy and ministers. I am not in government. We are out here as opposition and want to see that the government does the right thing for the people; that is our role as the opposition” (…) “Most people are still stuck in the parliamentary system. In a presidential system like ours, opposition does not have to be adversarial. We now critique quietly. What would be the need of shouting when I can get audience with the right person? We have also set up a joint task force to deal with issues we feel are of concern to us. It would be foolhardy to again begin hitting the same government” (Sunday Nation Reporter – ‘Raila speaks on ‘handshake’ deal and state of Opposition’ 16.12.2018).

What is mind-boggling is that a career and second generation politician are trying to cover up for the co-operation deal, that partly makes him part of the government, even if there is no official position. Because, of that the “Opposition” will not Challenge or Question the Government in public, but behind closed doors. Like if their was alliance or coalition. This is like a non-official “Government of National Unity”, which has been elsewhere.

This government has just made a Building Bridges Task Force. Also when saying that the “opposition” doesn’t have to be adversarial or being vocal against the government. That is maybe why the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) and its leadership is super-friendly, close as kin these days. The ODM and Odinga are there in the limelight. They getting awards, they are getting appointed to government boards and medals.

That is maybe why, Odinga is not interested in kicking and screaming, why he is not calling out the Jubilee for their grand corruption or their scandals. The new Odinga is in peace with the President and could look like mates from college. However, they are former adversaries, who now are working closely. That is positive in itself, but at the same time. This is making sure the government got a free slide for this term. As the government has no opposition that matters or challenge them in Parliament or in General. They are an elite, where everyone gets along.

I have a hard to combining this: ‘Calling yourself opposition, but not calling out the government’. I have a hard time, seeing Odinga and the ODM as opposition, as they practically the long arm of the government.

So if your not in the government, why are your doing back-room deals and negotiations as part of the Building Bridges Initiative. Peace.

RDC: CENI – Communique de Presse (16.12.2018)

RDC: Lamuka – Communique de Presse (16.12.2018)

RDC: Lucha Communique – Six militants de la LUCHA detenus et tortunes par la police a Kinshasa (16.12.2018)

Sri Lanka: Special Statement made by the Hon. Prime Minister of Sri Lanka (16.12.2018)

RDC: CENI – Communique de Presse (16.12.2018)