ONLF Press Release: Disinformation about Abdikarin’s refoulement to TPLF-led Ethiopian regime by the Somali regime of Farmajo (02.09.2017)

The Chairperson of the African Union Commission Urges the People of Kenya to Respect the Judgement of the Supreme Court (01.09.2017)

UK’s United Nations Security Council Draft Resolution sets a certain tone to the new possible mandate of AMISOM!

The United Nations Security Council (UNSC) Member State of the United Kingdom (UK), wrote a draft resolution on the African Union Mission to Somalia (AMISOM) and the operation there. The draft resolution says a lot things. But what is important is the intent of the mission and the scope of it. As if, the United Nations and the donors of the funding will uphold its core and the security operations intact. If they will continue to feed the nations of peacekeepers or wishing for another fate. That is why a Draft Resolution from the UK are important.

Here is the key quotes from resolution:

Decides to authorize the Member States of the AU to maintain the deployment of AMISOM until 31 May 2018, and to reduce the level of uniformed AMISOM personnel to a maximum level of 21,626 by 31 December 2017, to include a minimum of 1,040 AMISOM police personnel including five Formed Police Units, with a further reduction of uniformed personnel to 20,626 by 30 October 2018, unless the Security Council decides to accelerate the pace of the reduction, taking into account the capabilities of the Somali security forces thus far” (UNSC, P: 3, 2017).

Decides to authorize AMISOM to pursue the following strategic objectives:

(a) Enable the gradual handing over of security responsibilities from AMISOM to the Somali security forces contingent on abilities of the Somali security forces and political and security progress in Somalia;

(b) Reduce the threat posed by Al Shabaab and other armed opposition groups;

(c) Assist the Somali security forces to provide security for the political process at all levels as well as stabilization, reconciliation and peacebuilding in Somalia” (UNSC, P: 3, 2017).

Requests the Secretary-General to conduct a comprehensive assessment of AMISOM by 15 April 2018, working closely with the African Union and the Federal Government of Somalia, to take stock of the transition thus far including the development of Somali security institutions, and to make recommendations on the progressive transition from AMISOM to Somali security responsibility including over the electoral period, taking into account the capacities of the Somali security forces” (UNSC, P: 5-6, 2017).

This is the newest draft resolution on the AMISOM, the previous one was made on the 27th May 2017. When the United Nations Security Council voted it to extended the mission until 31st August 2017. Now that is tomorrow. Therefore, the key statements from that is:

The Security Council today decided to authorize member States of the African Union to maintain the deployment of the African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM) until 31 August” (…) “The Council also decided that the Mission would maintain its current maximum deployment level of 22,126 uniformed personnel. It further authorized AMISOM to take all necessary measures in carrying out its mandate” (UNSC, 2017).

So the draft wants less deployment in Somalia, the UK draft says the AMISOM will cut by 1500 soldiers. This means brigades pulled back to their republics. That being Kenyan, Ugandan or Burundian troops sent home. The other important part of it is to make reductions and assess more thoroughly the mission. As the mission of peace-building and creating a stronger Somali National Army. That the Secretary General will work on a transition away from the AMISOM. This is another state than before, because the UNSC and AMISOM has been naturally extended without any core assessment of their mission. The peacekeeping mission has been important, but will a possible leaving the Somalian Federation open doors to an uncertainty of the security situation. Since the Somalian republic has been in dire straights since the fall of Said Barre in 1970s. The time for rebuilding and not civil-war is important. The AMISOM mission has not been able to stop that even, as the Al-Shabaab has had the ability to create havoc. Therefore, the battle-zones has shifted.

This draft sets the tone of what that could be possible mandate and willing of the United Nations to support. As the Member States and the Security Council votes for tomorrow. The uncertainty and the reports from the Secretary General. And wanting the AMISOM to give more power to the Somali National Army (SNA), this is powerful shift of will. This idea to engage more directly the transition and the government of Somalia. The SNA will get more training and less deployment of the peacekeepers to make sure they can be more independent. The AMISOM will continue its mandate to 31st May 2018.

We have to see what the United Nations Security Council votes and what resolution that will be put forward. Peace.

Reference:

United Nations Security Council (UNSC) – ‘United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland: draft resolution’ (25.08.2017)

United Nations Security Council (UNSC) – ‘Security Council Authorizes African Union to Maintain Mission’s Deployment in Somalia until 31 August, Unanimously Adopting Resolution 2355 (2017)’ (26.05.2017) link: https://www.un.org/press/en/2017/sc12843.doc.htm

Opinion: Ambassador Mahboub Maalim in an interview states the IGAD failure in South Sudan and why!

The Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) have been in-charge and had a pivotal role in the peacemaking in South Sudan. Not that it has stopped the civil-war that has escalated since June 2016. The Sudanese People’s Liberation Movement/Army (SPLM/A) and Sudanese People’s Liberation Movement/Army In-Opposition (SPLM/A-IO), also between more rebel fractions inside the Republic, as the Ugandans are trying to enforce unite inside the SPLM. This as there are different states that the rebels and opposition have been strong, while the United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) has not had the leadership to secure the Protection of Civilians sites in the Republic. Therefore, the interview of Mahboub Maalim of IGAD in New Vision was exposing something dire. Take a look!

Ambassador Mahboub Maalim on IGAD:

First of all, I am an employee of President Kiir, among other presidents. So, to ask me what I can tell him, is like asking your house helper to tell you to change something in your house. But this is on a light note. President Kiir has been told a lot by his compatriots, heads of state from the region and African Union (AU), and those in the international community circles. People know that the South Sudanese do not have to continue dying after having achieved what they fought for. The situation in South Sudan is very unfortunate, and like you have said, IGAD has done a lot to try to stay on top of it. Recently, the heads of state of IGAD appointed a special IGAD envoy for South Sudan. Hopefully, we will see a lot of changes in the run-up to the operationalisation of the peace agreement in South Sudan” (…) “If the people in South Sudan are saying that we have failed them, I would not get surprised. If I was in their shoes, I would say the same. If I was like them, sitting in a sewage-logged UN camp in my own country, I would feel the same. But just to encourage them, IGAD has tried very much to ameliorate the problems in South Sudan since the problems started in 2013. In 2014, IGAD heads of state had a special meeting to just discuss South Sudan. It has never happened in our history that over 14 heads of state convene to discuss one subject. South Sudan is at the heart of everybody. Of course, whether this will be solved today or tomorrow depends on the goodwill of the South Sudanese themselves” (Lumu, 2017).

That the Ambassador said one vital thing, that he could not push the member states around. Since he could not tell what was wrong in someones else house, like to President Salva Kiir Mayardiit and his South Sudan. The Ambassador also wasn’t shocked if the they felt the IGAD had failed. They have really failed since ARCISS (Agreement for a Resolution of the Conflict in South Sudan, Agreement on the Resolution of the Conflict in the Republic of South Sudan, 2015). Doesn’t seem to be revived or anywhere near being fulfilled.

President Kiir and Dr. Riek Machar of SPLM/A-IO are really battling for supremacy. Together with all the deflectors and deserters from both major armies that are making the situation more problematic. Since the IGAD has not made the peace-agreement work, nor had the capacity to make a successful negotiations between all parties. The South Sudanese should feel betrayed, when the Ambassador Mahboub Maalim are saying: “I am an employee of President Kiir, among other presidents. So, to ask me what I can tell him, is like asking your house helper to tell you to change something in your house”.

So it is not like the IGAD wants to rock the boat, as it is an entity respecting its member states and their direct leadership. Peace.

Reference:

Lumu, David – ‘IGAD boss applauds Uganda on South Sudan’ (23.08.2017) – New Vision Article

Burundi – CNARED-Giriteka: “Declaration du CNARED a L’Occasion du 17 eme ANNIVERSAIRE de la Signature de l’Accord d’Arusha” (28.08.2017)

Under-Secretary-General for Political Affairs urges Somalia to continue reconciliation and State-building process (25.08.2016)

NEW YORK, United States of America, August 25, 2017 – The United Nations Under-Secretary-General for Political Affairs, Jeffrey Feltman, visited Somalia from 24-25 August. During his visit, accompanied by the Secretary-General’s Special Representative, Michael Keating, he held discussions with the President of Somalia Mohamed Abdullahi Mohamed, Prime Minister Hassan Ali Khayre, Speakers of both Houses of Parliament, the Minister for Constitutional Affairs, the Chair of the National Independent Electoral Commission, and Special Representative of the African Union Commission Chairperson.
“The political commitment of the Federal Government of Somalia to deliver results for all Somalis is impressive” said Mr. Feltman. “These include job creation, infrastructure, fighting corruption, strengthening civil service and improving security.” He urged the Somali Government to continue addressing issues critical to successful peacebuilding and state-building processes, including the advancement and conclusion of the constitutional review process, to advance federalism in the country. Preparations must begin now to lay the groundwork for elections based on universal suffrage in 2020/2021.

Mr. Feltman emphasized the importance of strengthening accountability mechanisms to address and prevent human rights violations. “We also urge the Government of Somalia to ensure dialogue and meaningful participation of women, youth and minorities in the political and reconciliation processes,” he said.

Commending the efforts of the African Union Mission to Somalia (AMISOM) and the Somali security forces in the fight against Al-Shabaab, Mr. Feltman emphasized the need to intensify efforts to develop increasingly capable Somali security forces. This will play a key role in facilitating the transition of security responsibilities from AMISOM to the Somalis, and in achieving long-term security. “The fundamental importance of the African Union support, and the role that AMISOM plays in peace-building in Somalia cannot be overstated,” Mr. Feltman stated.

The Under-Secretary-General for Political Affairs reaffirmed the support of the United Nations to the Federal Government, along with key international partners, in implementing a viable National Security structure and a comprehensive approach to security that includes countering violent extremism and improving local governance.

Opinion: President Museveni praises Equatorial Guinea for it’s rampant Oil-Corruption; wants to learn his tricks!

In these days the President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni of the Republic of Uganda are on a state visit in Malabo, visiting and learning tricks from the Equatorial Guinean President Teodoro Nguema Obiang, who has used the oil to enrich himself and his loyal subjects. Not build a welfare state, but make sure the family of Obiang get wealthy. Certainly, Uganda is preparing for their own oil production in the Lake Albertine basin, as the pipeline building from the production to the Port Tanga in Tanzania.

This is why President Museveni are visiting Equatorial Guinea to learn the tricks of the trade, as the state of Uganda are still in the dark of the oil-deals between the international companies and the state. We can wonder how the funds will be spoiled and how Museveni plans to use the oil funds for personal gains. If so, he wouldn’t praise President Obiang, who has his whole career to spend the oil profits from his republic. This is what Museveni wants to learn, since his career has been tricking out all sorts of play from Ugandan republic. The petroleum profits can be misspent and hidden just like in the republic of Obiang. Take a look!

President Museveni’s praise:

We are therefore in Equatorial Guinea for two things: looking at how to support prosperity of one another and how to push for our strategic security. I also congratulate Equatorial Guinea for using it’s oil and gas very well. When I was last here for the AU Summit, I noticed gaps between the airport and the city centre. Today, all these gaps were gone. In their place are new, well-planned buildings. And I see the city is refurbished. Some people say oil is a curse but in Equatorial Guinea it is a blessing” (Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, 26.08.2017)

Business in Equatorial Guinea:

Since the discovery of the offshore oil deposits, many investors have shown great interest in the country. Foreign direct investment inflows into the country had thus been consistently high for the past years. Nevertheless, in 2016 the FDI inflow amounted to USD 54 million, a sharp decrease from USD 233 million recorded the previous year (and the historical peak of USD 2.73 billion in 2010) . The total stock of FDI in the country is currently at USD 13.4 billion” (…) “Corruption in particular is problematic. In addition, the business climate of the country remains rather unfavourable for investment. Cumbersome procedures and high compliance costs slow licensing and make starting a business more difficult. Weak regulatory and judicial systems may discourage foreign investment as well, along with high credit costs and limited access to financing. The government controls long-term lending through the state-owned development bank. Equatorial Guinea ranked 178th out of 190 countries in the 2017 Doing Business report published by the World Bank, losing three spots compared to the previous year” (Santander Trade, 2017).

Son of the President on trial:

The corruption trial of Teodoro Nguema Obiang Mangue, the son of the president of Equatorial Guinea, ended in Paris on 6 July with the prosecution calling for a three-year jail term, a €30 million (US$34 million) fine and the confiscation of assets. The Tribunal will return a verdict on 27 October. The 48-year-old vice-president of Equatorial Guinea was not in court to hear the prosecution’s claim that he used money stolen from his country’s treasury and laundered through a shell company to fund a lavish lifestyle in France” (Transparency International, 2017).

This was what that is well-known of the Equatorial Guinea corruption and the son of President has also had challenging cases in the United States. Now the son is also having alleged fraud and criminal charges in France. Clearly, the Ugandan President has already known for corruption behavior. Therefore, even a state agency of PPDA has some words, that the government needs strict regulations before procurement and infrastructure development. This will be clearly important when it comes to petroleum industry. Take a look!

PPDA strict regulation on public procurement:

Public procurement is a key pillar of the public financial management system. The country’s budget and plans are translated into actual services to our people through the public procurement system. It is also the link between the public sector and the private sector as it is the medium through which the private sector does business with Government. Public procurement therefore involves large sums of money and as our budget grows with the priorities of Government remaining infrastructure development, the proportion of the budget earmarked for public procurement remains significant and therefore calls for strict regulation” (PPDA, 2017).

Audits and investigations by the Public Procurement and Disposal of Assets indicate that corruption in the procurement process manifests more in the evaluation of bids, reported to be at 58%. PPDA’s Manager Capacity Building Ronald Tumuhairwe says such corrupt practices lead to awarding of contracts to incompetent individuals hence shoddy works in several government projects” (…) “He adds that the second process where corruption manifests is awarding of contracts at 12.5%, followed by receipt and opening of bids, reviewing evaluation of bids, advertising and signing of contracts” (Sebunya, 2017).

President Museveni clearly has own agencies saying it is important with strict regulations on procurement and infrastructure developments like the ones needed for oil industry in the republic. The regulation of oil industry is lax, to make sure the state isn’t transparent with its profits and taxation of the industry. This is what Museveni wants, that the state and the public doesn’t know the contracts or the agreements between the parties involved. That is something President Obiang surely have the capacity to teach Museveni. And how to make sure his family is earning from the state resource, instead of the public and the state itself. Peace.

Reference:

Transparency International – ‘ON TRIAL FOR CORRUPTION: FRENCH PROSECUTORS DEMAND JAIL TERM AND €30 MILLION FINE FOR OBIANG’ (11.07.2017) link: https://www.transparency.org/news/feature/on_trial_for_corruption_french_prosecutors_demand_jail_term_and_30_million

Santander Trade – ‘EQUATORIAL GUINEA: FOREIGN INVESTMENT’ (August 2017) link: https://en.portal.santandertrade.com/establish-overseas/equatorial-guinea/investing-3

Sebunya, Wycliffe – ‘Corruption manifests most in the procurement process – IG’ (25.08.2017) link:http://radioonefm90.com/corruption-manifests-most-in-the-procurement-process-ig/

PPDA – ‘EVALUATING INNOVATIVE ANTI CORRUPTION POLICIES IN PUBLIC PROCUREMENT IN UGANDA’ (02.08.2017) link: https://www.ppda.go.ug/evaluating-innovative-anti-corruption-policies-in-public-procurement-in-uganda/

Somalia: Bancroft Statement on the Operation in Bariire (25.08.2017)

Correction – Somali National Army conducted security operation near Bariire (25.08.2017)

Somali National Army conducted security operation near Bariire (25.08.2017)