South Sudan: Sudan People’s Liberation Movement – SPLM, National Liberation Council – NLC Meeting – Resolutions (04.05.2018)

Opinion: Did the allocated funds of the 2018 Budget for the General Election, become the War-Chest of Zanu-PF?

On the 7th December 2017, the Finance Minister Patrick Chinamasa released the budgets for 2018. In that one, there was to allocations that is striking for today’s action. That is the 13th Cheque and the funds for the General Election.

The 13th Cheque was quoted with this: “A provision of US$176 million has been set aside for the payment of the 2017 13th Cheque awards” (…) “The programming of the above commitment during the first half of 2018 will be guided by revenue inflows, taking account of cash flow requirements of other National programmes, such as the General Elections”.

However, that wasn’t enough for that, so the direct funds for the General Election: “The 2018 Budget will provide resources amounting to US$132.2 million in support of the 2018 Harmonised Elections budget”. Therefore, there funds in the budget for the General Election and should be plenty. If you combine these allocated funds the amount would be US$308,2millions. And considering today’s news, part of these funds has found their way to the ruling party campaign.

Because Zimbabwe Independent wrote this today: “ZANU PF will today launch a momentous US$200 million general elections campaign at the Harare International Conference Centre amid revelations that several foreign governments, struggling parastatals as well as slush funds and investments from the security establishment will illegally contribute to the massive war chest” (Owen Gagare – ‘Zanu PF launches $200m campaign’ 04.05.2018).

There might be foreign funds to the ZANU-PF as they want to get rights and possible profits from the natural resources of the republic. However, the amount of funds needed are already baked into the budget, just that the state could be using directly from the allocated funds, instead of giving it to the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission or anyone else securing the electioneering. Because 200 million US Dollars would leave behind 108,2 million US Dollar for the actual election. That wouldn’t be the first time a state party using state resources in campaigning. It is too common in the world, to be healthy. However, it is a practice that many does.

Therefore, I don’t think the reported Chinese or that the dictator from Equatorial Guinea has directed funds to the party war-chest. Unless, I see invoices and see the transcripts of the funds sent over. Because, they don’t need to do that, to get simple gates of mineral extraction in the Republic. That cost much less then 200 million US Dollars. You don’t need to pay that much and offer so much to get cover, get contracts and get fixed space in the Republic. That is overpaying and also serving the ZANU-PF an overload of cash.

Would believe more that the ZANU-PF are actually using the allocated US Dollars from December 2018, as they have plenty to eat off and not buy expensive ballot-boxes or having exported BVR Systems. Instead make it cheap and spend on itself ahead of time. The party could eat the funds themselves.

Why I question the numbers even more, as the reports in March 2018 showed a sudden shortfall of funds for the ZEC, this was the quote from the chairman: “Chigumba said government has committed to availing $98 million of the $148 million needed to bankroll this year’s harmonised elections” (…) ““We did present a budget of $148 million to parliament and the treasury has committed to providing us with $95 million dollars,” said Chigumba to the Media Portfolio Committee” (AllAfrica – ‘Zimbabwe: Election Budget $50m Short, but ZEC Says Ready Regardless’ 09.03.2018).

I understand now why the state only delivered and allocated 95 million US Dollars, because that gives the state a war-chest of 200 million US Dollars. Because that is 295 US Dollars spent and allocated to both the campaign of ZANU-PF and barely enough for the ZEC. In that regard, the state has still free funds of 13,2 millions US Dollars. That can be spent on other electioneering, might even grace some wheels. Since they are yet to be released, it wouldn’t be shocking if they went directly to Zanu-PF instead.

It wouldn’t be surprising, but the funds matches perfectly, nearly to neat. It might be monies from China that makes sure of the giant war-chest of the ruling regime. But this isn’t a regime well-known for its transparency or accountability. Therefore, Zanu-PF has the character and the history to pull these stunts off. That is why it is special, that the ZEC had the allocations in march adding to 95 Million US Dollars, while the party had 200 Million US Dollars. Meaning that the unused funds are 13,2 Million US Dollars, who has to figure one way or another into someones pocket.

It didn’t take much work or add the figures together. I know that the Herald will write what the President Emmerson Mnangagwa needs, even have all the adverts and the praises of the master. They are the servants anyway. However, I feel free to question this. As it is very obvious. Not so unlikely too… Peace.

Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights: On World Press Freedom Day, Human Rights Lawyers call for Reform of Media Laws ahead of Elections (03.05.2018)

Agreement to stop fighting in South Sudan needs to be upheld (03.05.2018)

Special Representative of the Secretary-General and head of the United Nations mission in the country (UNMISS), David Shearer said UNMISS would continue to fulfill its mandate.

JUBA, South Sudan, May 3, 2018 –  The surge of violence in South Sudan’s Unity region “looks set to continue despite the Cessation of Hostilities Agreement that was signed last year,” according to the Special Representative of the Secretary-General and head of the United Nations mission in the country (UNMISS), David Shearer.

He made his comments during a visit to Leer and Dublual in the Unity region to see first-hand the impact of the deteriorating security situation on communities.

“The Cessation of Hostilities Agreement needs to be fully implemented. All sides need to abide by what they agreed to and their actions on the ground carefully monitored and scrutinized,” he said.

“The intensification of the conflict is having a serious human impact. Hundreds of people are sheltering next to the UN base. We saw tukuls (huts) burnt to the ground. We were told that elderly people and children had been killed and medical clinics ransacked,” said the Head of UNMISS.

“I met a little girl who had been shot through her stomach and back. She is just one example of dozens of people injured and killed over recent weeks,” said David Shearer. “We also know that hundreds, if not thousands, of people have fled into the swamps and are surviving on wild vegetables and fruit.”

David Shearer and a team from the UN Mission in South Sudan met with both Government and Opposition leaders in the area, urging them to lay down their weapons, reconcile, and work together to build durable peace.

He said the signing of the Cessation of Hostilities Agreement last year had given the peace process momentum, but that it was at risk of unravelling without genuine political will.

“Earlier this year it felt like we were moving in the right direction. But after seeing the effects on civilians of this conflict, I believe there is a real risk that the situation will deteriorate further and undermine the chance for lasting peace.”

David Shearer said UNMISS would continue to fulfill its mandate.

“Our job is still to protect people and help them get through these dark times so that the peace process can work and we can find a durable solution. We will do all we can to support the people of South Sudan,” he said.

Zanu-PF Primaries: Amb Christopher Mutsvangwa letter to Cde. Engelbert Rugeje (03.05.2018)

South Sudan: Dr. Marwien Akot rebuttal to Prof. Andrew Akon on ‘President Kiir fitness to rule’ (02.05.2018)

Zimbabwe: Government Press Statement on the Teacher’s strike (02.05.2018)

Zimbabwe Teachers’ Association (ZIMTA): Circular Letter Number 13 of 1 May 2018

South Sudan: Office of the President – “Re: Dr. Mawien Akot’s Parody in the Cyber Space” (30.04.2018)

Zanu-PF Primaries Day 2: The saga of electoral mismanagement continues!

What we have learned from two days of chaos, problems and issues internally within Zimbabwe African National Union – Patriotic Front (ZANU-PF). The state of the ruling party isn’t that strong, the ability to organize internal elections is not a good sign for the coming elections. Zanu-PF should feel humiliated and also get humble. Because they got big steps before the elections, if they want to deliver free and fair. Because they used state resources, they used methods of intimidation, the police, rowdy youths and others to create chaos. They didn’t have decent ballot boxes.

They used cardboard boxes for food or whatever, unsealed and ready vote in the elections. Therefore, who knows what could happen after within that tally and transmissions of these results will be put in questioned. No matter how trustworthy the Returning Officers or the Polling Officials are, because of the organization of it all. It can be put in jeopardy. The trust of the results, is not directly on the persons involved locally, but the system as a whole. Therefore, this is breaking the trust in the party, instead of making it stronger into the General Elections.

Zanu-PF should know how to do this, instead they are repeating 2013 and 2008. The Party just continue to play itself. Because they expect to get away with murder and no investigation of it. They expect that people will accept it and that the candidates are put-up for grabs in a farce, a side-show and the bingo competition compared to a real credible election. Even some candidates are missing on the ballots, meaning their part of the elections wasn’t there. They we’re put up to be elected, but on election day their nomination fell through. Clearly, there is rigging, looting and making sure the corrupt party stays corrupt. That is why the party uses state resources to hold these elections. No matter how un-serious and foolish it looks like!

This is not what the military would have anticipated when they could easily maybe change the central leadership, take out the Goblin and install President Emmerson Mnangagwa. Also been able to get the Vice-President Constantino Chiwenga. However, they have not taken out the rotten party system of cronyism, looting and desperation, that is lingering on. Long past the Mugabeisms have fled the scene. They are there and is visible in the cracks of a horrible internal elections. For someone following, it is a joyful occasion, even if its partly not.

Instead of showing progress, they are showing the same. Instead of building a party and showing the signs of improvement. They are showing more of the same, just adding a scarf and a militant VP. Like those can patch up the hurt. Also securing more fractions and internal squabbling ahead of the internal elections. Where accusations and rigging will be featured, where either G-40, Lacoste or whatever parts of the party will hinge on each other like wasps does sugar.

All of this isn’t shocking, but it’s disappointing that a party ruling for 37 years and onto its 38 are at this state. This careless, this ruthless and this blatant disregard for the people, the members and the ones they are supposed to represent. That is the visible sign from the Zanu-PF Central Committee should be is disarray and also disgusted by their own work. Unless, they are preoccupied with where to loot next and doesn’t look around.

ED Has My Vote Campaign, should hit a halt, the party should look into itself and if they want to be a serious contender with a fair elections later in the year. Then there needs miracles, because right now. The only thing this party is good at doing is planning military coups, not holding elections. Why do I say that, because its the President who has appointed the national Electoral Commission too. So that means same kind of cronies as internally in the party. That means the end-game might be same as seen the last two days. That is grim, that is dark and not a bright colorful masterpiece of perfect, however, its more cardboard and skirmishes. That is not an election, but a farce. Mnangagwa should shake his head and know he has pulled a Mugabe. Not a good look, unless he pulls his scarf around in it and squeeze, maybe then he would get another result. Peace.