South Sudan: IGAD Partners Forum re-affirms continued support to the peace process in South Sudan (22.01.2018)

As part of the continuous engagement with stakeholders of the High-Level Revitalization Forum (HLRF) on South Sudan, State Minister Hirut Zemene and IGAD Special Envoy for South Sudan, Ambassador Ismail Wais briefed members of the IGAD Partners Forum (IPF) on Monday (January 22).

During the briefing session, Co-Chairs of the meeting State Minister Hirut and Ambassador Wais have given particular emphasis on two major issues. They have, primarily, pointed out that despite violations, the signing of Cessation of Hostilities, Protection of Civilians, and Humanitarian Access in Addis Ababa on December 21st was pivotal to ensure stability in the country. Co-Chairs noted violators would be singled out and be accountable.

The Co-Chairs have praised the AU Commission, the IGAD Special Envoy for the Republic of South Sudan, the IGAD Partners Forum, the High-Level Co-Facilitators of the HLRF, the AU High-Level ad-hoc Committee, JMEC, the UN, the Troika and the International Community, who have tirelessly worked to ensure the signing of the Agreement ahead of the expected time.

The second point the Co-Chairs raised was that those few violations will not undermine the next phase of the HLRF scheduled to be held on the 5th of February, 2018.

Praising the efforts being exerted by the IGAD towards ensuring a long-lasting peace in South Sudan, Members of the IPF have with one voice pledged their continued support to the Revitalization Process.

Zimbabwe: Press Statement by the Chief Secretary to the President and Cabinet, Dr. M.J.M. Sibanda on the Mandatory Declaration of Assets by Senior Public Service Officers (23.01.2018)

The Chairperson of the African Union Commission Condemns the Recent Violence in the Democratic Republic of Congo (22.01.2018)

ADDIS ABABA, Ethiopia, January 22, 2018 – The Chairperson of the African Union Commission (AUC), Moussa Faki Mahamat, strongly condemns the violence following demonstrations organized on 21 January 2018 in Kinshasa, and deplores the reported loss of life.

The Chairperson of the AUC encourages the Congolese stakeholders to fully honour the commitments entered into, on the 31st December 2016, in order to consolidate the gains made and deepen democracy in the country. He further stresses the importance of confidence-building measures and respect for fundamental rights and freedoms as guaranteed by the Constitution.

Furthermore, he reiterates the call for the proportionate use of force in the maintenance of law and order.

The Chairperson calls on all political actors to create a conducive environment for the conduct of free, transparent and fair elections on 23rd December 2018 and urges all concerned to ensure that the electoral calendar is strictly complied with.

The Chairperson reiterates that the AUC will continue to engage all the Congolese stakeholders to show restraint and promote dialogue in the interest of stability in the DRC.

The Commission will also continue to avail support towards the holding of peaceful and transparent elections and calls on the international community at large to provide the financial and logistical support in order to meet the timelines set by the Commission Électorale Nationale Indépendente (CENI).

Statement attributable to the Spokesman for the Secretary-General on the Democratic Republic of the Congo (22.01.2018)

NEW YORK, United States of America, January 22, 2018 – The Secretary-General is disturbed by reports of the killing on Sunday of at least six people during protests calling for the full implementation of the 31 December 2016 political agreement in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Reports also suggest that 63 people were injured. He calls on the Congolese authorities to conduct credible investigations into these incidents and to hold those responsible accountable.

The Secretary-General urges the Congolese security forces to exercise restraint and to uphold the Congolese people’s right to freedom of speech and peaceful assembly. He also calls upon all concerned to ensure full respect for places of worship.

The Secretary-General, once again, calls on Congolese political actors to work towards the full implementation of the 31 December political agreement, which remains the only viable path to the holding of elections, the peaceful transfer of power and the consolidation of stability in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

Stéphane Dujarric, Spokesman for the Secretary-General
New York, 22 January 2018

RDC: CENCO – “Bilan provisioire de la marche pacifique organisee par le Comite Laic de Coordination (CLC) le diamanche 21 janvier 2018” (22.01.2018)

RDC: Declaration du Comite Laic de Coordination (CLC) – (22.01.2018)

South Sudan: JMEC Demands Full Support for CTSAMM (22.01.2018)

Opinion: ED might say every right thing now, but follow his actions!

The new Zimbabwean President Emmerson Mnangagwa might say all the right things. ED might also order a lot of good things. Like he early did order all sort of actions to get back money that has been stolen in the previous administration. Get the funds that has been embezzled during the 37 years under President Robert Mugabe. Still, even with the days without possible problems and also no charges. There hasn’t really come any funds back to Zimbabwe after this order.

ED might say he is for press freedom. Also that he is for free and fair elections. Might speak of possible international investors and get better investor climate. ED might spread the news of public interactions and give credible interviews to international news-organization. All of that might stem from the changes of leadership, because ED will act differently to foreigners, than Mugabe who despised them. That is well known, that is why he even came with blazing thunder in his last United Nations address.

ED might say he will changes things, but since November, what other thing has changed then giving #ThisFlag Evans Mawarire his official freedom. Giving way to opposition parties and letting them all demonstrate once against the Mugabe. Since then, the Zimbabwe hasn’t really changed. The cabinet is filled with lots of same old faces. The government is contained by the army who ushered in ED. They have more power than before.

The Herald has been praising ED and had for long ads filled with praise. They have main articles and usually positive towards the new President. Zimbabwe Broadcasting Company (ZBC) is only still showing live from ZANU-PF rallies and following the family of ED. Like today they showed one rally of the ruling party and also followed the first lady speaking. The MDC-T and others are not usually shown on the channel. Clearly, many things haven’t changed since Mugabe left office.

Other than Grace Mugabe struggling to move her valuables from South Africa and Zimbabwe into Botswana. Where her sons and other family members moving expensive luxury cars and its leaked to the media. Wonder if that was picked up by government and they wanted the former Presidential family to pay taxes on these luxurious items? That would have been noble example. Not only the former G-40 members of cabinet who are eating charges and struggling to redeem themselves after Mugabe’s fall.

That ED has talked about fighting corruption and making the courts proper. Haven’t been proven, it is very selective who is charges and who is criminal of the old elite. That is also concerning, that many in the cabinet is previous leaders, who has done their thing during Mugabe. They will not change, maybe the rhetoric and the ways of ED are different. Still, the reality of people lingering in prison. That political activists are still not 100 % free. That the governance and the state functions are still not functioning. That government services is still depleted. It will take time to fix that and to make it less about one person and build institution. However, ED hasn’t open the doors yet.

ED might do the talk, he promises elections and changes in governance. However, his actions and the ones of the government hasn’t been fruitful yet. Their still pursuing bond-notes, there is still no substantial changes. Some Members of Parliament has been kicked-out and a few officers in the Police Service. Therefore, it is minor changes, like the army took major part of the Cabinet. That should worry, since the army is boasting the same Zanu-PF, just without Mugabe and ED instead. If you don’t see, then your reading the nice print from ED, instead of asking why he is changing the Zanu-PF in anyway?

ED should have started to reform the Zanu-PF more, if he wants to be really serious. The one bringing down the goblin. Doesn’t have to do much, but assess the whole government to assist the government with proper governance. Which means in general, that the ministries will not only give cars to chiefs, but he will actually make Ministries actually do their duty and deliver to the citizens. Its not a magic wand, but acting with the simple ideal of taxation and representation.

ED can do this and also give details on how the election will be and how the they will try to make framework for level playing-field for all parties. Usually, the ruling regime is running over the parties and humble them through the campaigns, even using the state to oppress the others. Therefore, it is time to see if it is all talk or reality. If he is bluffing or planning to open society. Risking it all or besieging his new position.

Time will tell, but not eat it all up and believe that he will change it. ED will not only do it, when he knows that he gets political currency without to much cost the regime. Peace.

RDC: Nonciature Apostolique en Republique Democratique du Congo – “Note Technique – Bilan Provisoire de la Marche du 21 Janvier 2018 (Selon Provinces Ecclesiastiques)” (21.01.2018)

RDC: L’Union Des Minstres Chretiens Francophones du Sud (UMCFS) – “Concerne: La position de l’UMCFS face a la Situation du Pays” (19.01.2018)