Benin: Les Democrates – Communique (20.04.2025)

Zambia: Article 19 & 22 of the Cyber Crimes Act is made to incarcerate the “enemies of the state”

22. (1) A person shall not use a computer or computer system

to—

(a) publish or transmit electronic data that is obscene, vulgar, lewd, lascivious or indecent with intent to humiliate, harass or cause substantial emotional distress to another person ; or

(b) repeatedly send to another person electronic data that is obscene, vulgar, lewd, lascivious or indecent with intent to humiliate or harass the other person to the detriment of that person’s health, emotional well-being, self-esteem or reputation.

(2) A person shall not use a computer or computer system to disseminate information, statement or image, knowing the same to be false that—

(a) causes damage to the reputation of another person; or

(b) subjects another person to public ridicule, contempt, hatred or embarrassment.

(3) A person who contravenes subsection (1) or (2), commits an offence and is liable, on conviction, to a fine not exceeding two hundred thousand penalty units or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding two years, or to both” (The Cyber Crimes Act, 2025).

The ones in power in Zambia is getting used to it and wants to stifle other voices. President Hakainde Hichilema and the ruling regime of United Party for National Development (UPND) are now on the slippery slope of the Patriotic Front (PF).

President HH is no different than Lungu. The only difference between them is their face and how they are perceived in the West. HH is a beloved character in the West and is a darling at the moment. His the man and the progressive leader. Nevertheless, there been cracks in that and this law is just opening up the floodgates. This President has already gone after judges and after his predecessor. So, he showed his true self in power by now.

This Cyber Crimes Act is vague and one article alone can be used to silence critics, as it is written in such a manner, that any sort of interpretation of the law enforcement and judges can easily penalize and sanction a citizen. That’s what I am seeing by the Article 22.

Yes, the law has plenty of good articles and punishment on soliciting child porn and lewd procurement of pornography in general, which are good. That should be illegal and is by definition a well thought out of passages of law. However, there are others that needs to be discussed and should possibly be revoked or amended. As these are just tools of oppression of the state.

Article 19 isn’t anything better:

19. (1) A person shall not intentionally and without lawful authority—

(a) use a computer or computer system to relay or retransmit electronic communications to deceive or mislead users of a computer or computer system as to the origin of such communication;

(b) initiate the transmission of multiple electronic messages from or through a computer or computer system for purposes of causing harm or disrupting the computer or computer system;

(c) establish a software application system with the intent to deceive or mislead a visitor to the software application system as to the authenticity of the software application system for the purpose of gaining unauthorised access to information to commit an offence; or

(d) falsify header information in an electronic communication and initiate the transmission of such electronic communication to commit an offence, deceive or mislead users” (Cyber Crimes Act, 2025).

Me just as an layman can read these two articles and be worried about the citizens of Zambia. The people of Zambia should be worried here. These two articles and punitive actions that can waged on people can easily be done. As they are allowing the state to follow this and also gives them reasons to arrest people. Sooner or later cases will open up and people will be detained as a effect of the law. That is just the bleak reality here. This law is existing because HH and his party believes it is for the betterment of the Republic. However, they are the ones in-charge and have the majority. That’s why they think they can get away with this. As HH himself branded similar law as the “Big Brother Law” and called it out. Nevertheless, that’s from a different perspective than actually wearing the crown.

The ones who dares to challenge, question and be vocal online should be concerned. The ones who tries and who acts upon it. They can easily become targets and possibly become felons. That is the future in Zambia. HH has approved of it and this act will make it happen. Peace.

RDC: Ministere de la Justice – Communique No. 098 (18.04.2025)

RDC: Ministere de l’Interieur, Securite, Decentralisation et Affaires Coutumieres – Communique Officiel (19.04.2025)

Cameroun: Collectif des Organisations des Enseignants du Cameroun (C.OR.E.C) – Communique relatif aux Deliberations du C.OR.E.C. (18.04.2025)

The Silent War: What is Kabila’s game-plan? As he returned to Goma on Friday

Former Congolese President Joseph Kabila arrived in Goma, the capital of North Kivu, this Friday. He reportedly passed through Kigali before heading to eastern DRC. This information was confirmed by his entourage” (Justine Kabumba, 18.04.2025).

The former Congolese president arrived in Goma this Friday, after a visit to Kigali. He had been living in southern Africa since 2024. On April 8, in a shocking letter, he announced:

“There is danger at home. I’m returning without delay.” A press briefing is expected in the coming hours, according to several North Kivu media outlets” (Pepele News, 18.04.2025).

After hearing the news that Joseph Kabila had been in Kigali before returning to the Democratic Republic of Congo. You can clearly wonder what is his gambit and game-plan ahead. There are open questions and what does he want to achieve?

What does he want to do now? Because, he wouldn’t risk his lavish lifestyle or the enriched gains he had during his reign. The former President has liven large on the public’s dime and he didn’t mind doing so for years. He sought out a deal with the current President Felix Tshisekedi and he left the country. That seemed all swell and Tshisekedi is now on his second term after getting into office.

That’s why you know it’s been years. We know the FCC-CACH agreement went through the wind and Tshisekedi was able to consolidate power. He did so and played the political game to outwit and outmanoeuvre the ones that challenged him. That was to show who was boss and this is really it.

The recent revelations of the funding and global players involved in the cobalt commodity trading. Only shows how the conflict and how the proxy armies are able to gain funds to operate. However, someone else has to pull the strings and be the backers. As there are known affiliation and support from both Kampala and Kigali in that matter. Would it be out of the question to wonder if Kabila could be the invisible hand that directed it all? He knows the game and he used insecurity to his own benefits in office. If someone knows how to use it and profit from it. Kabila is a brother who knows and he know M23 as he negotiated with them and got them into cantonment in Kasese, Uganda. So, this man knew the people and the ones who could spark it all.

That’s why he can enter Goma without no fear or be afraid of retribution. This man would know what could happen to him and why his in supposed unfriendly territory. The ones believing he could be on a mission of peace and possibility to mediate. Well, is he the right guy? Who has made him a special envoy or even a wiser elder for that matter? Well, after my memos and others… there are no announcement of that and therefore, we should dismiss it until EAC, SADC or AU says a word. However, don’t expect them to utter a single word or even drop a presser anytime soon.

We can now wonder what is his next plot or plan, as Kabila wouldn’t do this without some sort of justification and a reason. If he didn’t think he had an advantage or some sort of opportunity. Then he would have lingered in South Africa. That’s what we know, but what his next play or sort is in thin air. If he is a shadow backer and wants to continue advance of the AFC/M23 than his surely risking his legacy completely. His a man who is waging war in the nation that he was running and tried to never leave. That’s really a compelling story and shows what a man is willing to do.

Kabila isn’t maverick, but a man for the long-con. I just don’t know what the long-con or the short-con in this one is right now. Nevertheless, sooner or later that will be revealed. Peace.

Dr. Kizza Besigye: Open letter – Happy Easter Holiday (17.04.2025)

Uganda: Norbert Mao – Presentation of a Statement on the Impementation of the Supreme Court Rulign on Civilian Trials in Military Courts (17.04.2025)

RDC: Collectif des Mouvements des Wazalendo du Sud-Kivu – Communique No. 05 (16.04.2025)

The Silent War: Global Witness Report states that Luxembourg based commodity trader Traxys is trading in Coltan from M23

An investigation by the organisation Global Witness reveals that the commodity trader Traxys bought coltan from the Democratic Republic of Congo, smuggled into Rwanda, and linked to the financing of the M23 armed group. According to information gathered by Global Witness, Traxys, a major player in the Luxembourg-based commodities sector, purchased 280 tonnes of coltan from Rwanda in 2024. An analysis of trade data and smugglers’ testimonies suggests that much of this coltan comes from conflict zones in eastern DRC, where the Rwandan-backed M23 is active. Coltan, an ore containing tantalum, is used in the manufacture of electronic products such as mobile phones and electric cars. The M23, which controls mining regions such as Rubaya in North Kivu, takes advantage of the exploitation of these resources to finance its military operations. According to UN experts, this trade has enabled the M23 group to generate an estimated $800,000 per month in revenue” (Actualite.cd – ‘DRC: Luxembourg-based Traxys accused of buying conflict coltan from Rwanda’ 15.04.2025).

The warfare and the coordinated efforts of March 23 Movement (M23) and the Alliance Fleuve Congo (AFC) had to be backed somehow. The coordinated efforts across the borders have been known, as well as the left cantonments and the sudden reappearance of well known leaders to region too. It is such a story and shows how well funded, logistically supported and how they have managed to keep the operation at float.

War isn’t cheap. Weapons, ammunition and advanced weaponry aren’t something that is easily to come by. Neither is it sold on the free market or in a way that it anyone can access it. Therefore, there have to be backers and financial ones who can help with liquidity, funding and create a lifeline to continue with such operations.

The M23 and other proxy armies are no different than others. They are there on business and using their “cause” as a shield. They are there to pillage, loot and ensure their backers are getting points on the dollar. The cursed wealth of minerals in the Kivu Provinces are haunting it. As it makes it a target and a possible place to create insecurity and ensure the weakened FARDC can be pushed away. That’s what the M23 and their backers has succeeded in doing, as they have claimed to fight the FDLR, but has instead been enriched through financial schemes and trading coltan through the use of the Luxembourg based commodity company Traxys.

That shows there are global financial backing and foreigners involved in the conflict. As the M23/AFC clearly has a vision and a reason to partake in the conflict, as it is profitable. The UN Experts Report have already proven that and without a doubt, the Global Witness Report only shows culprits and who is behind it. As they are the ones that get the conflict minerals to the global market and usage in whatever device or finished products to be sold on massive scale. That’s what is going on here.

We know that the Kigali and the M23 backers will deny this. The same is reasonable of Traxys, as they don’t want this on their reputation, but Traxys has been known for this for years and not only the DRC, but also in Columbia. So, the business-people running Traxys don’t mind a little blood for the minerals to trade.

This is just showing again how money is made out of conflict and enlarging it, as they are making the M23 more able and capable to fight this war. The business of conflict minerals and such is so huge that it can cover expenses and enlarge an operation. That gives M23/AFC leverage and also options, as the currency gotten by ill gotten gains are just so sweet. Peace.