Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights (ZLHR): High Court Bans All Traditional Leaders from Politics (16.05.2018)

South Sudan: UN humanitarian chief urges parties to cease hostilities, protect civilians and aid workers (16.05.2018)

High Court of Zimbabwe ordered that Council of Chiefs doesn’t have to automatically support Zanu-PF (14.05.2018)

South Sudan: SPLM-IO – “Meeting of Comrade Dr. Riek Machar with IGAD Council of Ministers Delegation” (15.05.2018)

Opinion: Expect Nelson Chamisa to be crucified!

Let me be clear, the rally and the race for the Presidency has begun, all parties are having rallies and the biggest contenders are the ruling regime Zimbabwe African National Union – Patriotic Front (Zanu-PF) with their incumbent President Emmerson Mnangagwa, he will use all tricks, all of the state machinery and not do anything in that regard. If he blows the budget, misuse government institutions and resources, that is to be expected. Already, the media are in favour of the state machinery and the state party line. That being that they praise anything and everything Mnangagwa does.

However, the main contender Nelson Chamisa of the Movement for Democratic Change – Alliance (MDC-A). is under cross-fire every single day. Not that is doing anything wrong, he might slip up and that will be taken advantage of. Trust me, he is the least candidate in the race that can do anything wrong. He will be under so much fire and scruitiny, that you would think he created a world-war and a major crisis. If Mnangagwa did the same, they will be silent about it or not even make much fuzz. That is because the Chamisa program and stances are in sharp contrast to whatever Zanu-PF stands for at this point.

Zanu-PF already proclaimed their war-chest, their massive PR show and campaign rallies, they are ready to go all guns salute, even when they are not interested in changing electoral laws, since that will make it easier for them to win. All of the Electoral Commission are appointed by the man and directly controlled, so the results could be managed in their favour. Therefore, it is far from a level playing field in this race. None of the 100 other candidates got anything in significant resemblance of the Zanu-PF. That the MDC-A/T has a big organization and a massive standing in the public is visible. However, they don’t have the state behind them and neither the resources to compete.

Chamisa might have the swagger, the strength and resilience to compete, but he will be under-fire for every single word he utters. He cannot say anything wrong or be close to be misunderstood by anyone. Mnangagwa can sleepwalk, be dizzy and even mumble rap like Future on stage, and still be praised by state friendly media houses. Nevertheless, if Chamisa did the same, they would say he needed to go to the hospital and get a mental exam. That is just the way it is.

This will be unfriendly, the Op-Eds will crucify Chamisa and the MDC. They will tarnish him, they will look through his history and pin-point all the past mistakes, ex-girlfriends and his missteps against Tsvangirai if they have too. As long as the purpose, is to make Mnangagwa the king and the holy of the holiest. Chamisa will be the ugly duckling, the mockery of the Republic and the insane drunk uncle, which you don’t want to invite to your party.

Therefore, expect madness, expect a headache and nonsense in Formula One speed. There will be no redemption, there will be no mercy. Only the Zanu-PF way and nothing else, if so Gen. Chiwenga will order his troops and they will ask you to salute to His Excellency. They will not beg for it, they will take it. Peace.

South Sudan United Front/Army (SSUF/A): “Re: Attacks on Raja or Elsewhere in South Sudan” (14.05.2018)

South Sudan: IGAD High Level Revitalization Forum – Summary of Consultation (12.05.2018)

United Nations Officials condemn targeted and widespread sexual violence in South Sudan and call for the immediate cessation of the attacks against civilians (11.05.2018)

Sexual violence as a widespread and systematic tactic of war continues in South Sudan, reportedly to punish civilians who are perceived to be associated with a particular political or ethnic group.

The United Nations has received reports of attackers demanding money, alcohol and cattle through threats of violence and intimidation, including sexual violence. Testimonies indicate that women and girls of all ages have been subjected to rape, including pregnant women, lactating mothers, and girls as young as four years old. Information collected over the past week indicates that at least 66 women and girls have been raped since attacks began on 21 April, with the total number of cases likely to be much higher. In addition, dozens of women and girls are believed to have been abducted, with some having been released after enduring days in captivity.

In former Unity state, young armed soldiers, reportedly affiliated to the SPLA, allegedly attacked the island of Meer, where a number of civilians, including women, children and the elderly, were reportedly killed and injured, while others, including children, drowned as they tried to escape. Instances of abductions and sexual violence against women and girls, were also reported.

The three United Nations Officials call on all parties in South Sudan to immediately end the use of sexual violence, cease the commission of atrocities, and hold the perpetrators of these heinous acts accountable as a matter of priority. The three Officials urge the parties to the conflict to honor the commitments they have made to address conflict-related sexual violence and to protect the civilian population, and further call on the Government of South Sudan to abide by the Agreement on the Cessation of Hostilities, Protection of Civilians and Humanitarian Access they signed in 2017. In 2014, the Government of South Sudan signed a Joint Communiqué to end sexual violence and recommitted to an Action Plan to end and prevent the recruitment and use of children and all other grave violations against children. In 2015, the SPLM-IO signed an Action Plan to end and prevent the recruitment and use, as well as the killing and maiming, of children and in 2014 issued a Unilateral Communiqué on conflict-related sexual-violence. “The United Nations stands ready to support national efforts to end, prevent and address conflict-related sexual violence in South Sudan and to improve the protection of civilians, including children”, the three Officials stated.

Zimbabwe: ZHDA Press Statement on Health-Specific Allowances (11.05.2018)

Sudan People’s Liberation Movement Youth League – Uganda Chapter: “Youth League decries USA’s Diplomatic Overtones on Peace Process” (09.05.2018)