Zambia: UNPD – People Power, Our Power, Our Land (30.11.2018)

God’s time is the best and no man can change God’s calendar.A mango tree does not worry when the orange tree is producing fruits in it’s season.

We celebrate 20 years of UPND existence in our own way and God’s calendar in line with ‘People Power,Our Power,Our Land in the midst of economic and political struggle for a better Zambia.

God has been with us for these years to prevent and defend democracy from being buried by political vandals.

The party has grown and spread like fire to all parts of the country since the demise of the founding father the late Anderson Mazoka and may he rest in peace.

Had it not been for UPND to be in opposition under the wise leadership of President Hakainde Hichilema and his visionary team, there was not going to be a strong voice to speak for the voiceless and the down trodden.

Zambians could have been fearing to exercise their democratic right.

It is worthy to celebrate the party’s existence and with Mr Hichilema’s courageous and visionary leadership including members sustaining the party under difficult times.

Without UPND in opposition Zambia could have been reversed to a one party state a long time ago.

And UPND has remained strong when other political parties within a space of one year died while others just continue existing on paper.

We have planted a strong political foundation for opposition political parties to survive.

Once in government; we shall provide condusive environment for any opposition political party to freely offer checks and balances as oppose to Patriotic Front who are always oppressing the opposition.

The slow movement of a lion doesn’t show weakness or being tired but calculated steps to get it’s prey.

We never went to the streets to fight our stolen victory but sought legal intervention because we respect the rule of law and trusting God to see us through.

It is not how fast one builds a house but how firm and strong it will be when the storm comes.

Happy 20 years of experience in opposition and now it’s time to run government with a vast experience of leadership from the opposition.

People Power,Our Power,Our Land!!

Issued by:
Neto Halwabala
UPND Deputy Spokesperson
Southern Province

President Bongo medical transfer from Riyadh to Rabat: 36 days abroad and Counting!

In Libreville they are awaiting and wondering when President Ali Bongo will return from his sickness and hospital visits in Saudi Arabia and now in Morocco. As President Bongo has been gone for 36 days, as the unverified reports are saying he got a stroke while visiting a conference in Riyadh early October. Now, it is the end of November and nothing is certain yet. Except there is no good hospital for treatment in Gabon to save his ass.

That is what we really can learn from this, where a President first has to take major treatment in the Saudi Arabia and that will now get the last relief of treatment in Morocco. Clearly, Bongo, the Second Generation of failing President in Gabon. You are clearly failing, when you cannot get healed where you reside and rule. You know your doing a terrible job as an Executive, when you cannot use the services, that your government is providing the citizens. Because, the President doesn’t feel safe enough or healthy enough to return to Libreville.

The Communique from the Ministère de la Culture et de la Communication — Département de la Communication in Morocco said this today: “This transfer “comes in accordance with the wishes of His Excellency President Bongo, in agreement with the Constitutional Institutions of the Gabonese Republic and in accordance with the opinion of the doctors,” according to a statement issued by the Moroccan Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Wednesday. The wife of Gabonese President Sylvia announced Tuesday on her Facebook page that her husband would leave the Saudi capital on Wednesday for Rabat, saying that the transfer was “made possible by the very significant improvement” in the state of health of her husband” (…) “President Bongo must be joined in Rabat by several Gabonese officials, including the chief of staff, the secretary general, the chief of protocol or the spokesman of the presidency, as told to AFP an official source to the Gabonese Presidency” (Maroc.ma – ‘Communiqué: Le président gabonais à Rabat pour un séjour de convalescence’ 29.11.2018).

What is rich about this, is that Omar Bongo died officially in Morocco too. Therefore, that he is moved there is a worrying sign of the medical treatment and also the medical condition of Bongo. It is nothing official about his death. This is just an official movement of a patient, who happens to a President. A Second Generation, who is ruling a country. Where he isn’t a suitable patient.

That is the staggering tale, that the same that happen to the father is now happening to the son. Of the same Republic and the same ruling regime. The same sins are repeating. Now like father like son, they are transferred. They are both being moved as patients abroad, but the length of the stint is creating a power vacuum and the VP/PM has already altered the Constitution to take action. Which has created a Constitutional Crisis in a way, where they have taken while Bongo is gone. Therefore, this shows how fragile the system is, when one family rules supreme and there isn’t building of institutions.

This is a mockery of a great nation, of a people who deserves better. The Gabonese doesn’t deserve this, they deserve someone who represent them and make sure the leaders can heal back home. That is the truth and it should be stated. Bongo 1st Generation should have had capacity in all the years of his reign to build proper Health Care and Hospitals in Gabon. Instead, they have enriched themselves and built fortunes for themselves. They have not been there for the public and been public servants. As they should have been.

That is why the Second Generation of President, also have to seek medical treatment abroad. Because none of them cared about the hospitals back-home. Which is showing the tragic state of affairs, that they left behind. Peace.

Sri Lanka: TNA letter to President Sirisena – “Appointment of a Prime Minister who commands the Confidence of Parliament” (29.11.2018)

Opinion: The sad realities of the Ugandan involvement in South Sudan!

Today, it was two vital reports that came out on the subject. Both was how the National Resistance Movement, the NRM and President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni and his government have been involved in the South Sudan civil war. For me this wasn’t shocking or really news. The reports locally has been there.

That the Uganda People’s Defence Force (UPDF) have supported the Sudan People’s Liberation Army (SPLA) with arms, guns and weapons training. Even in the midst of an United Nations Embargo. Which wasn’t long ago, that the Uganda President promised to continue to supply the South Sudanese counterparts. However, none of that has gotten as a MEMO to the Western partners of Ugandan war-machine. Who has continued to supply them with arms and later on been traded to third parties in South Sudan.

While the guns and arms been flowing, the refugees has seek shelter and relief in Northern Uganda. As the same Western partners has donated funds as the massive refugee flow from across the border. As they are fleeing the conflict and civil war. The same Ugandan government, to trick the numbers and schemes to fund various operations of the state, even buy an expensive plot for a parking lot for the Office of the Prime Minister, has used them. This is the sort of activity happens from the government, who supply arms to the conflict, they are asking the same foreign donors to help with trouble it creates.

The UNCHR has spent a total of $129,9m in 2016 and $210m in 2017 on the Refugee operation in Uganda. This while the Ugandan authorities has ballooned the numbers and added over 300,000 refugees, which was ghosts. Therefore, the UNHCR and OPM had to after the scandal have a registration and verification drive, which also cost the UN Agency money. For instance, the OPM claimed to pay for 72 civil servants working on UNHCR projects and paying them salaries, but there was no clear documentation if they really existed or had a job. There was also procurement done without prior authorization or documents going up to about $34,4m, which was not approved off or cleared by the UNHCR.

When you combine these reports, show how blatant disregard the Ugandan government have, how they are both the mediator, the arms supplier and the refugee relief. While getting both the value for money for the arms, they are getting benefit on the refugees and they are supplying high-ranking government officials because of it. You can clearly get the gist of the operation.

The Ugandan government have been earning and using the conflict to gain monetary gains, in each side of the bargain. By circumventing the arms-embargo, while being a mediator and official “peace-maker” and hosting the refugees from the same conflict. That is really staggering, when your combining all the efforts and tricks done, to get another buck. Earning fortunes on others misfortune. Peace.

Brexit: Bank of England dropped projected forecast and its bleak!

The Bank of England dropped their scheduled Stress Test Report of the possible outcomes of the Brexit. To say it was a joyful read, it really wasn’t, it is a dark chapter and proves what is at stake. That the politicians and the ones fighting to be sovereign from the European Union (EU) without concerned about the consequences. What is important about this BoE Stress Test, is that its an estimation and anticipation if certain variables are put into play. These are banking experts predicting the economy, that haven’t always worked out, but it give a feeling of the possible future.

To be honest the “No Deal” is a devastating affair. Shaving off 8% of the GDP. Rising unemployment up to 7,5%, Sterling falls 25% to below parity with the Dollar and house prices falls with 30 %. All of this is staggering consequences, where the shrinking economy, currency losing value and the main asset of the people lost value over night, going down to thirds of values, meaning more people will struggle to pay their mortgage and many more will lose their jobs. Therefore, this will be deep and impactful decision, where massive amounts of people will be hurt. By the mere outlook and forecast should stop anyone from considering it.

While the HM Government Plan are put to running up to 4 % of the GDP shaved off. The key part of the Report goes on the possible damage a non-deal does. That is also the one says how dire it would be. This has also been warned by both the Energy Industry, the Automobile Industry and others. Who has said the No-Deal would be damaging. That was most likely anyway, as the trade barriers, the hurt will be more constant and more companies will flea to greener pastures.

That is the reality, that the Brexiteers doesn’t care about. They don’t care if they risk 8 % of the GDP in a giant swoop. As long as they are not tied or into the Common Market. As long as they are out, the implications and the added stress to the economy doesn’t matter. That is the reality, many of the politicians doesn’t care to. As they are earning on the Brexit and making careers. They are not minding the hurt or damage. They are just smiling and saying it is for the best of the United Kingdom. When it really isn’t, they are all blaming the Bank of England. Because, they have nothing more fruitful to deliver the public.

This is predictions, forecast number if certain aspects and variables happens. These is not pseudo-science, but testing and estimating. It gives a certain forewarning about what might happen, if the HM Government does do a “No-Deal”. This shows what could be the possible cost. That should worry anyone, as this is the livelihoods, the homes and the businesses, who will disappear and not come back in long while. There will be plenty of Factory floors empty and take-away shops. Who suddenly are emptied in the towns and the cities. That because, someone wanted to prove a point to Brussels.

I am not a Remainer or such, but the Brexiteers are foolish for this one.

Are they willing to do this much damage? Are the British willing to risk possibly so much? Who would do so?

The HM Government Deal are bad too, they are possibly hurting half of the “No Deal”, which also shows how bad that is, but “No Deal” is massively worse.

Brexit will hurt, now the MPs and the Public have to decide what they want and how much they are willing to suffer. Peace.

For en gjeng: Regjeringen kan man tydeligvis ikke ha opplysningsplikt på!

Dagens politikere, spesielt de på Stortinget er så arrogante. De kan legge alle lover og rammeverk for oss borgere. De er våres representanter, men de kan ikke ha ettersyn på seg selv og sin egen handlinger før eller etter tiltredelse av sitt verv som representant for oss. Det ble bevist i går, når det ble stemt for lovforslag som tilsa at alle Regjeringsmedlemmer skulle kunne registrere og bevise sine tidligere arbeidsinteresser ovenfor Stortinget.

Lovteksten som ble nedstemt var denne:

«(1) Kongen i statsråd kan pålegge regjeringsmedlemmene og statssekretærene å registrere sine tidligere oppdragsgivere og oppdragenes innhold der vedkommende har arbeidet med å fremme politiske eller næringsmessige interesser» (Representantforslag om opplysningsplikt for statsråder og statssekretærer, 2018).

Dette viser hvor redde de for å vise sine tidligere stillinger, sine samarbeidspartner og økonomiske interesser. Vi har allerede sett dette tidligere ved flere anledninger der Statsråder og Stortingsrepresentanter ikke vil registrere sine gaver og verv. Derfor, vil det være viktig for etterrettelighets skyld at disse ville bli lovpålagt. Slik at en kan vite om Næringsministeren har sær-interesser, eller om Fiskeriministeren må gjøres inhabil fordi en eier fiskeri i Nord-Norge.

Dette er slikt som har skjedd før og har vært en greie. Det var også en ting når Sylvi Listhaug ble minister for første gang og kom fra First House. Der hun ikke ville si hvem hun hadde jobbet for og gjort lobby virksomhet for. Det er dette som skaper etiske og juridiske spørsmål. Der en kan ane at disse fortsatt kan ha innflytelse og også spille inn på de vurdering og lover som en vil fremheve i riket sal.

Det er derfor, hvis disse yrkespolitikerne skal representere oss. Borgere. Så burde de være på parti med borgerne, ikke næringsinteresser. De burde ikke være redde for å legge ut og si sin fortid. Før de ble Statsråd eller Stortingsrepresentant. Dette burde være det første og beste. Der de kan vise sitt snitt og være redelige. Legge med dokumentasjon og vise hva de har gjort. Slik at vi vet om mulige åpenbare habilitetsspørsmål og også om mulige komplikasjoner vedrørende tildelinger av midler og konsesjoner. Dette vet vi ikke per dags dato. Fordi man trenger ikke innsyn eller registering av dette.

Derfor, som en vanlig borger. Så er jeg skuffet over dagens arrogante politikere. Som forventer at oss borgere må registrere og bevise dokumentasjon for alt. Vi er lovpålagt til å bevise og legge til grunn valide dokumenter til de saker som angår oss. Vi må følge gjeldene lovverk og følge spilleregler. Men de som lager lover og er den lovgivende forsamlingen i landet. Klarer ikke å være reale og etterrettelig. De skal være over oss og ikke være slike som oss.

Det er det tydelige signalet. Når de på Stortinget, ikke kan vise til og være etterrettelige. Hvordan kan vi vite om de vil være der for oss eller for særinteresser som har betalt de tidligere og lovet stillinger etter endt stortingsperiode?

Peace.

Joint Press Release, the Ministry of Health and the World Health Organization: Clarification on alleged Ebola Death in Kabarole District (28.11.2018)

Cameroon: South West Region – Manyu Division – Press Release (27.11.2018)

Brexit: Keir Starmer MP letter to David Lidington MP on the HM Government Legal Advice concerning Brexit (27.11.2018)

ZANU PF Youth League Press Statement (27.11.2018)