RDC: Province du Sud-Kivu – Communique Officiel (05.11.2017)

Opinion: President Mugabe is a Goblin!

In the Merriam-Webster definition of Goblin says: “an ugly or grotesque sprite that is usually mischievous and sometimes evil and malicious” (Merriam-Webster – ‘Goblin’ link: https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/goblin). For someone who has ruled the republic of Zimbabwe since 18th April 1980 first as Prime Minister and as President since 22nd December 1987. Clearly, he has had his time make the impression of being a goblin.

He has used tactics of oppression, he has even killed his opposition and consolidated all power of the republic around him. The Zimbabwean government are all built around him and his family. Therefore, the rising inflation’s and the problematic currency problems. The lacking yields of the agricultural industry, as it was a breadbasket of Southern Africa in the 1980s, but since then has needed aid and imports of food stuffs to survive. Combined with lacking institutional building, as it was built around him.

The use of army who was trained by North Koreans to silence certain parts of Zimbabwean public in the 1980s. To certify his rule and to conquer all hearts. The Elephant Brigade and the whole use of force to kill and massacres that silenced the opposition for decades. This with the economic oppression and the elitism in the Zimbabwe African National Union – Patriotic Front (ZANU-PF). The ZANU-PF control and use of funds has decapitated and depleted the budgets as the Vice-President is billing the government for living at luxurious hotel in Harare. The same with his family who imports Rolls Royces and sell Zanu-PF regalia, while the amount of people living from hand to mouth is insane.

The courts are built and managed by Danish Aid, if they even still support the courts who are falling apart. The water system is down in Bulwayo and in Harare, it is so bad that the tap-water can be poisonous. This while Members of Parliament are getting payed for their loyalty in plenty, as the state pays them millions of dollars per year. The most fancy cars and splendid houses in the capital are owned by ZANU-PF Cronies or businessmen connected to the Mugabe clan. There aren’t anything the government are eating.

It is so bad with pay for soldiers and civil servants, that there has even been open battles between soldiers and police officers in the central business district of Harare. This proves the mental and breakdown of government support, when they are late paying their security officers and the ones who are on the barricades for this depleted state system. That the state doesn’t have resources to tackle drought, lack of medicines in the hospitals, the load-shedding of power and to get the citizens out of unemployment. As many are struggling to import and export through South Africa, and the diaspora in South Africa is the reason for the existing foreign exchange that are currently there.

The oppression and abiding poverty is the reason for this and Mugabe has no trouble with it, as long as his family can afford a luxurious house in Dubai, stay in hotels in Johannesburg, ride Rolls Royces and travel to Singapore for health care treatment.

For someone who has been the Executive for 37 years, 6 months and 18 days should have delivered some good governance and institution, instead it has been built around him and he is still in-charge. With that in mind, he is a goblin, even a hob-goblin. We can say doing this to his own people is evil and malicious. When he couldn’t use any of his time to make sure people had industry and continued the success of agricultural exports as it did when he took power in 1980. This is certainly like goblin. Goblin Robert Mugabe, at your disservice! Peace.

DRC: Mining Fraudster Col. Abbas Kayonga creates military stand-off in Bukavu!

That the man gets to duplicate a government office and safety commission for exports of minerals from South Kivu. Abbas Kayonga was able for years to duplicate and double commission for checking and securing exports of minerals between South Kivu and Rwanda. Clearly, he was wise enough and used his connection within the local government of South Kivu. But, they must have been tired off it and also the tricks that has been done. As some has been caught by his duplicated commission like in 2015 and others has worked together with him.

Kayonga, must have had connections with the miners and the mineral extraction industry, which means they were able to work with him and also make the documentation legalized through his duplicated operation. That must have been the reason of the colonel Kayonga rise to fortune and possible collections of weapons, as he could have a stand-off with the army after desisting to stand down from his commission. Something he didn’t want to do. But first some context, before what happen today in Bukavu, as he wouldn’t accept, because it has been his racket for years. Take a look!

South Kivu export of Minerals to Rwanda:

The situation in South Kivu is a little more difficult because of the confusion between the

commission against mining fraud, the SPC / South Kivu and the cell fight against mining fraud in

South Kivu led by Mr. ABBAS KAYONGA” (…) “ In Bukavu

information report that the head of the fight against mining fraud cell itself would be involved in

facilitating the smuggling of minerals to Rwanda. 3 main reasons seem to confirm this:

1. The people worked with the RCD (Congolese Rally for Democracy);

2. She lived in Rwanda for several years after reunification;

3. The creation of an anti-cell against mining fraud by the Governor of South Kivu parallel to

the national commission against mining fraud that has a focal point in South Kivu. To understand how the smuggling of minerals between the DRC and Rwanda was being harvested reliable data on the operation of networks operating in the minerals transit areas in Rwanda to Kigali Gisenyi, Kibuye and Shangugu” (SAM-PPA, 2015).

The technical unit in charge of the field operations of the South Kivu mining commission, Kayonga Abbas, seized 60 tons of cassiterite, coltan and olfram in 2015. It handed over these minerals to the Police of the Mines. Their owners paid the public treasury a sum of 33,380 dollars to recover their parcel. Kayonga Abbas laments the involvement of some military officers in mining fraud” (Nyota, 2016).

The Civil Society Coordination Office of South Kivu is delighted by the dismissal of Mr Abbas Kayonga from the Anti-Fraud Unit in South Kivu. Yesterday Wednesday night evening of the dead city around 19h, he would have been surprised to cross in Rwanda, a large shipment of tourmaline. He would have resisted the agents of the DGDA to the point of trying to come to arms. Fortunately he has been mastered. It is a sigh of relief for the population and especially the traders of South Kivu who were hunted down by the latter with imposition doublet, “says the message of Patient Bashombe” (…) “Remember that the anti-fraud cell of the province was a pure duplication of the DPMER. Thing that the civil society through the FEC have always lambasted. Despite the length of the night, the sun finally appears. Beware of all accomplices of fraud, embezzlement, corruption, … and other antivaleurs in the DRC, and particularly in South Kivu. These suicidal practices only accentuate the suffering of the people. The watchful eye of civil society is open and active. Here the opportunity to draw the attention of Governor Claude Nyamugabo to put order in the mining sector. There is food and drink, “says Patient Bashombe” (Lubambo, 2017)

According to security officials, the police officers were deployed to the home of the head of the Anti-Fraud Service which had been suspended on 2 November by Governor Claude Nyamugabo for harassment. This official, prosecuted official sources, is being guarded by armed men who are known neither of the Army nor the Police. The same sources reveal that there would be a cache of weapons at his home in Muhumba” (Radio Okapi, 2017).

Reports indicate that gun battle broke out following an attempt by the Governor of South Kivu province, Claude Nyamugabo, to arrest the provincial anti-smuggling Unit boss, Abbas Kayonga at his home in Muhumba Island. Sources on ground indicate that the Governor allegedly accuses Kayonga of involvement in fraudulent mining and asked him to resign after smuggled minerals were intercepted. It is believed that Kayonga refused to resign and resisted any attempt to arrest him, alleging that the confiscated smuggled minerals belonged to the sister of the area governor. Kayonga, guarded by private security, was seen with a fully loaded machine gun in his garden during the standoff in which grenades and bombs were going off in the area. The crossfire left two of his guards wounded and one of them later this afternoon was reportedly dead from bullet wounds. Eye witnesses say residents in the area were seen fleeing to avoid being caught up in the fracass. Meanwhile, other residents have taken advantage of the situation and looted a church and shops. “This has created losses for Rwandan traders.We have asked residents on Rwandan side to stay calm. We are talking to DRC officials who say that it’s an issue of indiscipline and it will resolved,” the Mayor of Rusizi, Harelimana Frederic said” (Sabiiti, 2017).

So clearly, the gig was up and the time for it stop had to appear. There been rumors of his connection to Rwanda and that he used his connections to build houses and buy land in Rwanda. While could clearly be connected with the mineral industry of Rwanda and their export networks, which is connected with the Kivu provinces. That has been going on for decades. He has just used the commission to make agreements and funds. If not he wouldn’t have all these guns and guards as a civil servant in Bukavu.

This is clearly stopping one racket out of plenty, who are living off and sponging off the mineral extraction and export from South Kivu province to far hinterland. Kayonga is just one out of many, but his story is an example of someone trying to make a government institution, when there already are one and is able to live off it for years. That is what the government has accepted and wonder why it took so long to stop it as well. Since they must have known about the double check-up and commissions who looks into the matter of mineral exports in the province. That is really unique and that Kinshasa has accepted this behavior is something you also should think about. I don’t have the answer, but a reasonable pay-off and envelopes between them might have occurred now and then. Peace.

Reference:

Nyota – ‘Fraude minière: 60 tonnes de cassitérite et de coltan saisies au Sud-Kivu’ (17.02.2017) link: http://www.nyota.net/2016/02/17/fraude-miniere-60-tonnes-de-cassiterite-de-coltan-saisies-sud-kivu/

Lumbambo, Adonis – ‘Suspension d’Abbas Kayonga : Le bureau de coordination de la société civile du Sud-Kivu jubile et charge l’incriminé’ (02.11.2017) link: http://www.laprunellerdc.info/2017/11/02/suspension-dabbas-kayonga-le-bureau-de-coordination-de-la-societe-civile-du-sud-kivu-jubile-et-charge-lincrimine/

Radio Okapi – ‘Sud-Kivu : des tirs entendus depuis le matin à Bukavu’ (05.11.2017) link: https://www.radiookapi.net/2017/11/05/actualite/securite/sud-kivu-des-tirs-entendus-depuis-le-matin-bukavu

Sabiiti, Daniel – ‘Rwandan Traders Stranded At DRC Border As Gunfire Rocks Across’ (05.11.2017) link: http://ktpress.rw/2017/11/rwandan-traders-stranded-at-drc-border-as-gunfire-rocks-across/

Save Act Mine (SAM-PPA) – ‘INTERIM REPORT OF MONITORING PROGRAM OF THE CHAIN

APPROVISIONNMENT MINERALS’ (August-September 2015)

South Sudan: “Issuance of Orders to the Chief of Defense Force of the SPLA, 2017 A.D.” – The order stop of privileges of Gen. Paul Malong Awan (30.10.2017)

South Sudan: Anei Malong States that Gen. Paul Malong Awan lost his privileges (03.11.2017)

The government has escalated its move against my father Gen. Paul Malong Awan by removing his privileges

This afternoon my father was informed he must release his body guards to their units, surrender his cellphones, guns and that all visitations of any kind to him including those from family members children and wives are not permitted except with approval from the authorities.

This message was delivered by Lt. Gen. Magar Buong Aluenge on behalf of the SPLA Commander in Chief and the President of the Republic of South Sudan, Gen. Salva Kiir Mayardit. Lt. Gen. Buong was accompanied by the Director General of Military Intelligence.

Since we are all in the dark on the reasons behind this escalation, I am informing the public of this move to ensure that they are in the know in case of further escalations.

_ The End _
Anei Malong

South Sudan: National Salvation Front/Army (NAS) – “On Clashes with Kiir” (30.10.2017)

Visiting WFP chief warns of impending humanitarian disaster in Democratic Republic of Congo’s Kasai region (31.10.2017)

WFP is ramping up emergency assistance there, planning to reach 500,000 of the most vulnerable by end-December, and many more early next year.

KINSHASA, Democratic Republic of Congo, October 31, 2017 – A humanitarian catastrophe is looming in the conflict-ravaged south-central Greater Kasai region of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), the head of the United Nations World Food Programme warned yesterday as he wrapped up a four-day mission to the central African country that included a visit to Kasai. Some 3.2 million people in the region are severely food insecure, struggling to feed themselves and in need of assistance.

“As many as 700,000 babies and children could starve in Kasai in the next few months unless enough nutritious food reaches them quickly”, David Beasley said. “We need access to those children, and we need money – urgently.”

Kasai’s traditionally high rates of malnutrition were pushed higher following the eruption last year of inter-ethnic violence characterised by large-scale killing, the wholesale destruction of villages and crops, and the targeting of hospitals, clinics and schools. The region now accounts for more than 40 percent of the DRC’s 7.7 million severely food insecure.

WFP is ramping up emergency assistance there, planning to reach 500,000 of the most vulnerable by end-December, and many more early next year. Dozens more staff are being deployed, an additional 80 off-road trucks are being brought in to deliver food to remote areas, and the WFP-run United Nations Humanitarian Air Service (UNHAS), presently flying aid supplies and aid workers to seven locations in the region, is being expanded.

But WFP’s emergency operation, launched in August, has so far been financed by internal borrowings, and only one percent of the US$135 million required through mid-2018 has been secured from the international community.

While the violence in Kasai has diminished in recent weeks, banditry and extortion are commonplace. Moreover, in a region the size of Germany with multiple active militias and a road network that is largely impassable during the September-December rainy season, humanitarian access is set to remain a challenge.

WFP’s work in eastern North Kivu province, also witnessed by Beasley, is likewise constrained by access challenges and limited funding. Just 250,000 of the province’s one million displaced people – victims of two decades of conflict – are receiving assistance, and only half rations.

Much of DRC’s population is dependent on subsistence farming, and competition for land is often at the heart of its violence. Many conflict-displaced families who had returned to their villages in North Kivu and Kasai told Beasley they could not resume working their fields, such was their fear still of being attacked.

“I have met too many women and children whose lives have been reduced to a desperate struggle for survival”, Beasley said. “In a land so rich in resources, that’s heart-breaking. And it’s unacceptable.”

Beasley acknowledged donor concerns about limited return on investments in a better future for the Congolese people, noting that some governments have threatened to redirect such funding to countries where they say it will have more impact.

“I hear those concerns”, Beasley said. “But let’s not hold innocent women and children responsible for the failings of others.”

“What the brave people I met over the last few days want most of all is peace – peace to be able to grow their own food, to rebuild their lives and to build a brighter tomorrow for their children. It’s a simple, powerful message, and I have conveyed it to President Kabila, urging that he do his part to bring about much-needed change.”

UNHCR expresses concern over humanitarian situation of South Sudanese refugees in Khartoum (26.10.2017)

Latest reports indicate that some 220 shelters in Dar Es-Salam’s open area were removed by police on 23 October, reportedly leaving some 2,000 South Sudanese refugees without shelter.

GENEVA, Switzerland, October 26, 2017 – UNHCR’s Representation in Sudan is concerned about the inadequate response to the humanitarian needs of South Sudanese refugees in Khartoum. Over the past few months, thousands of refugees have been relocated or had their shelters demolished without adequate planning and consultation with the communities.

Latest reports indicate that some 220 shelters in Dar Es-Salam’s open area were removed by police on 23 October, reportedly leaving some 2,000 South Sudanese refugees without shelter. Other refugees have been relocated to Bantiu site in Jebel Auliya locality and Naivasha site in Omdurman where inadequate reception planning has resulted in over-crowding, inadequate shelter, and over-stretched water and sanitation facilities.

UNHCR has welcomed an initial visit jointly held by the Government and the UN in late August 2017 to Bantiu site in Jebel Auliya locality to make a general assessment of the situation of the South Sudanese refugees. That visit witnessed clear and urgent humanitarian needs in water, sanitation, shelter, health and education. Planning is underway for a more detailed Government – interagency assessment of the open areas in Khartoum state. A rapid assessment, supported with full access, will allow UNHCR and other actors to start providing much needed support.

UNHCR acknowledges the Government of Sudan’s wish to find more sustainable options for hosting South Sudanese refugees who are currently living in “open areas” in Khartoum state and stands ready to discuss those options, bearing in mind the importance of a consultative process with key stakeholders including the refugee communities. Pending these longer-term options, UNHCR is hopeful that the immediate humanitarian needs of the South Sudanese refugees in Khartoum will be addressed in a timely manner to avoid unnecessary suffering. In order to address the immediate and longer-term needs of South Sudanese refugees in Khartoum, agencies will also require donor support.

Across states, UNHCR is working to assist Sudan’s refugee response through providing basic services for over 450,000 South Sudanese refugees verified as newly arrived in the country since 2013, in partnership with the Commission for Refugees. UNHCR commends Sudan’s generous and open policy for hosting a large number of refugees.

The Government of Sudan estimate is that there are some 1.3m South Sudanese refugees in the country. UNHCR is working with Sudan to ensure all these refugees are captured through registration.

UN should investigate ‘suspect’ appointment of Mugabe, WHO chief should meet Zimbabwe victims & apologize (23.10.2017)

GENEVA, Switzerland, October 23, 2017 – The non-governmental human rights group UN Watch welcomed the WHO’s cancellation of its “absurd, immoral and insulting” appointment of Robert Mugabe as goodwill ambassador but called for a full, independent and international inquiry into any possible deals made between the WHO chief—Ethiopia’s former foreign minister—and Zimbabwe’s ruler.

There must be more to the story. How could Dr. Tedros, a sophisticated political figure, have chosen to honor a man who has brutalized human rights activists, crushed democracy dissidents, and turned the breadbasket of Africa and its health system into a basket-case?” asked UN Watch executive director Hillel Neuer.”We regret that Dr. Tedros’ statement shows no remorse, nor any mention of Mugabe’s gross human rights abuses. On the contrary, he seems to double down and justify his decision by speaking of the need to ‘include everyone’, presumably tyrants as well.”

“We ask Dr. Tedros to agree to a meeting in Geneva of victims of Mugabe, which we will gladly organize, giving the WHO chief a chance to compensate for the damage he has done to the cause of human rights in Zimbabwe. He should now honor the victims, instead of the perpetrator.”

“The tyrant of Zimbabwe is the last person who should have been legitimised by a U.N. position of any kind,” said Neuer. “Something is very ill at the U.N.’s world health agency.”

Opinion: Dr. Tedros rescinded Mugabe as a Goodwill Ambassador, but he has now shown his admiration of dictators!

The public outcry and the shaming of the appointment of Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe as World Health Organization Goodwill Ambassador has really hurt the newly elected director-general. Clearly, Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, the Ethiopian Director-General didn’t consider how the world view of Mugabe and his position in the United Nations Organization. WHO has ideals and barren structure of the human rights and the needs for health care across the nations and member states. So with the backslash and the disappointing idea is now proven. The character of the leader is at least shown.

Parts of Dr. Tedros Adhanom statement today:

Over the last few days, I have reflected on my appointment of H.E. President Robert Mugabe as WHO Goodwill Ambassador for NCDs in Africa. As a result I have decided to rescind the appointment. I have listened carefully to all who have expressed their concerns, and heard the different issues that they have raised. I have also consulted with the Government of Zimbabwe and we have concluded that this decision is in the best interests of the World Health Organization. It is my aim to build a worldwide movement for global health. This movement must work for everyone and include everyone” (WHO, 2017).

What is striking and what is unique, is that he is taking away the honor to Mugabe, but at the same time. He was in close connection and talking with them. Not trying to figure it out on his own. I am sure if the public and the human rights organizations didn’t blast the hell out of the decision. He would still be the Goodwill Ambassador for NCDs in Africa. Surely, he can pick someone with a little flair and legitimacy for it. Not someone who has been thieving and looting since the 1980s. There must someone else who has the ability and the compassion to care about the subject.

We can clearly see that the WHO General-Director have no trouble with dictatorships and the totalitarian leadership, since he can easily honor them and work for them. If they do quell opposition and hurt citizens who oppose the central government. He will most likely be behind them and give them honorable notes. The Ethiopian Revolutionary People’s Democratic Front (EPRDF) has teached him well, as the years in the central government of Addis Ababa have served him well.

We can just imagine who is the next man or woman he appoints, what sort of person will that be? Is he inflicted from the party at home he represent, as they haven’t had democratic principals and neither respected their liberties or freedoms. This being in Amhara and Oromia states, as the people are demonstrating the control and the oppression of the EPRDF. A party that he has been part of and in the close-knit centralized leadership. That should set off some signals and the ones who said this before his win, wasn’t strong enough or able to get enough votes.

What we do know, he is compassion and care for the longstanding dictators, that he will serve them and give them honors. We know that now, as the role he had in Addis Ababa is now reflected on the position in the World Health Organization. Peace.

Reference:

World Health Organization (WHO) – ‘Director General rescinds Goodwill Ambassador appointment’ (22.10.2017) link: http://www.who.int/mediacentre/news/statements/2017/goodwill-ambassador-rescinded/en/