Opinion: Austin Powers aka BoJo trying to be jolly in Uganda and Kenya!

There is one of these lost stories that deserves to questioned, as the United Kingdom who are toiled in issues on their own continent, with trade and with borders are suddenly sending their Secretary of State Boris Johnson, the former columnist who hasn’t written much of any good about these nations he is visiting. The visit is coming in the same weeks as the Brexit is a hot potato and the United Kingdom needs secure partners for their economic activity.

So the United Kingdom suddenly sending their Secretary of State for Foreign Commonwealth Affairs Johnson to Uganda and Kenya, seems to be more an internal needed boost for the United Kingdom, as they need to know that they have trading partners when the article 50 of the Lisbon Treaty get notified. The negotiations and the unknown agreement with European Unions, leaves lot of trade and transactions in the wind. Therefore, the need to diversify and get new connections is more important.

That UK have a long history on the continent and has done despicable things is well-known, that they have gone in only in the interest of the ones in Oxford Street, London or even business in Belfast over the ones in real need in the Protectorates or Colonies. So the United Kingdom Government have most of the time been more reassuring for the ones on the British Isles over the ones in the colonies. Her Majesties civil servants have served London and than offered a token of goodwill if needed be.

Therefore reading this of the visit seems like to good to be true!

Boris Johnson, the UK Secretary of State for Foreign Commonwealth Affairs, called on me yesterday at State House, Entebbe. Our discussion focused on regional security, especially the situation in Somalia. We also discussed trade and investment between our two countries” (Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, 16.03.2017).

NAIROBI, 17 March 2017 (PSCU) – President Uhuru Kenyatta this evening held talks with UK Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs Secretary Boris Johnson who paid him a courtesy call at State House, Nairobi. President Kenyatta and the British Foreign Secretary discussed promotion of industry and manufacturing. They also exchanged views on the strengthening of trade between Kenya and Britain as well as with the rest of the Commonwealth countries” (Uhuru Kenyatta, 17.03.2017).

First, that Boris Johnson isn’t caring much about the regional troubles, unless it bring work to Birmingham, Swindon or to Yorkshire. If the trade is being done and export from Kenya and Uganda, it is the British Exporters earning the major coins, not the Kenyan producer or the Uganda merchant. The needed tax-base has to be settled in the United Kingdom.

Secondly, the Commonwealth idea is to keep the sphere of the former colonies in a circle where the British and United Kingdom interest get traction and creates development on models where the British manufacturing and technology get traded to them. So that the former colonies get more ideal production from the Leyland and Vauxhall of today. Not buy Fiat or even Tesla. Buy British and serve British values and than if your a good boy, you get British direct aid.

Third, it is connected, but the uncertain future of trade within the European Union, makes the UK so edgy that they have to forge close relationship to make sure they have more open markets to have their bazaar and also sell their repacked tea.

So do I believe he was just visiting in goodwill and care of the Commonwealth nations, no! I do believe he came to be able to have strengthening the markets and get better surplus of funds with the counterparts of Uganda and Kenya. This because he knows that he doesn’t have to dole out much funds or follow heavy institutional policies to get it implemented. Therefore, he traveled here and tried to forge it even more. Peace.

Opinion: UK has double trouble with N. Ireland and Scotland; they deserve equal treatment like UK gets from the EU!

Well, the United Kingdom government has enough issues with the negotiations with European Union to think about their own fragile Union. United Kingdom is a forged Union between England, Wales, Northern Ireland and Scotland + a few bonus British Isles that couldn’t create much fuzz. However, the Northern Irish and Scottish government main parties are forging possible problems for the United Kingdom. That is proven with the decision of closing the door to the European Union and trying to find out how the relationship with the rest of Europe will be.

Certainly the Tories and the Prime Minister Theresa May would like to have much power as possible and look as brilliant as she can. But she has obstacles on the way and her path was created with the trust put into the system. The fragile Union we’re hold because all parties felt they benefited. If Wales are losing millions of grants from European Union to building roads around Swansea, where will the lost funds come from? That is the sort of issues that Tories and the White Hall have to figure out.

That Theresa May are a conning politician is proven with her way and her track-record, she is reckless and not caring of the price for her glory. Therefore, she couldn’t get elected on the prospect of genuine ballots and with campaigning. She was wise to forge alliance and make sure the Brexiteers we’re part of vital roles in her cabinet after David Cameron stepped down as he took the loss like a gentleman. Still, PM May are more focused on achieving most possible for the Tories benefit, than understanding that the Northern Irish and Scottish initially want another path. That would make the Tories and the United Kingdom less powerful as their own Union would be slimming by the minute. Just take a look at the Scottish question as she put her mind into it as well.

PM May address new Scottish Referendum:

“Theresa May declared Brexit was “not a moment to play politics” today in a rebuff to Nicola Sturgeon’s demands for another Independence referendum during negotiations with the EU” (…) “The Prime Minister said the passing of the Bill authorising departure talks was a “defining moment for our whole country”, making clear she would not allow separate negotiations north of the border” (Murphy & Crerar, 2017).

Second Scottish Referendum:

“Sturgeon said her government’s mandate to call the second poll was “beyond doubt”, and, with the UK set for a hard Brexit, said she had set a timeframe that would allow Scotland the chance to decide on independence before it was “too late to choose a different path in a timely way”. She added that any vote would take place after the UK’s exit negotiations with the EU27 had concluded but before the Brexit process was complete – when uncertainty over Britain’s future will arguably be greatest” (…) “Sturgeon said any attempt by May to withhold permission for Scotland to hold a second vote would be “tantamount to the UK government, having sunk the ship with the Brexit vote, trying to puncture Scotland’s lifeboat as well” (Maguire, 2017).

Scottish Government stance in 2013:

“The advantage of independence is that the people of Scotland will have the sole and final say. We will not be taken out of the EU against our wishes as may turn out to be the case if we are not independent” (…) “ Within the EU there will be important opportunities for future Scottish governments to determine priorities and maximise the benefits of our membership” (…) “The Scottish Government, supported by the overwhelming majority of Members of the Scottish Parliament, believes that membership of the EU is in the best interests of Scotland. It is our policy, therefore, that an independent Scotland continues as a member of the EU” (Scottish Government, 2013).

So if you look at the History the Scottish government and the Holyrood House have been since before the first referendum been clear about the important of independence from rule from London and secondly the value of being a Member State in the European Union. As the Brexit negotiation and the United Kingdom leaving the state of membership, this is clearly not in the minds of the Scottish. They do not want to leave the European Union, but United Kingdom government does not want to relieve them.

The United Kingdom, the White Hall and the English men doesn’t see the Scottish as equal. Still, former Prime Minister David Cameron was a decent guy who gave this as an opportunity in 2012:

“The governments have agreed to promote an Order in Council under Section 30 of the Scotland Act 1998 in the United Kingdom and Scottish Parliaments to allow a single question referendum on Scottish independence to be held before the end of 2014. The Order will put it beyond doubt that the Scottish Parliament can legislate for that referendum. It will then be for the Scottish Government to promote legislation in the Scottish Parliament for a referendum on independence. The governments are agreed that the referendum should meet the highest standards of fairness, transparency and propriety, informed by consultation and independent expert advice” (UK Gov & Scottish Gov, 2012).

So if the United Kingdom government and Scottish government could agree in 2012 for a Scottish referendum and could amend the Scotland Act of 1998 so there was legal framework to support this. But why hasn’t there been anything concrete for the Northern Irish, which has been a tool for Englishmen to control over the Ireland. But that is my understanding of it, and Theresa May continues on that, as Sinn Féin wants now to make sure they are connected together with the Republic of Ireland. Take a look!

Prime Minister Theresa May to Northern Ireland:

“Speaking as she delivered a statement to Parliament on last week’s European Council meeting, Mrs May said: “There are a set of circumstances which the secretary of state for Northern Ireland has looked at this issue, and it is not right to have a border poll at this stage” (…)  “What we should all be focusing on is bringing the parties together to ensure that we can continue to see the devolved administration in Northern Ireland working, as it has done, in the interests of the people of Northern Ireland” (Newsletter, 2017).

North Ireland Referendum:

“Now, Sinn Féin’s new leader, Michelle O’Neill has said that Northern Ireland should hold a referendum on leaving the United Kingdom and joining the Republic of Ireland “as soon as possible” (…) “A referendum on Irish unity has to happen as soon a possible” (Loughnane, 2017). “There is an urgent need for a referendum on Irish unity as the British government has refused to listen to the majority of people in Northern Ireland over Brexit, according to Sinn Féin” (…) “Ms O’Neill said Brexit would be a disaster for the economy and people of Ireland. “To us in Sinn Féin that increases the urgency for the need of a referendum on Irish unity and that needs to happen as soon as possible” (O’Brian, 2017).

So when you see the pattern you see how the Tories says that Northern Irish and Scottish Government shouldn’t play government or play on their wish of what could be in their best interest, since White Hall and Tories knows better. Even as the Brexiteers and Tories negotiations haven’t started, how the Brexit will end is still uncertain. Therefore, there is little evident that the Central Government in London can deliver to Edinburgh or Belfast. They could just secure their own interest, why should the Northern Irish or Scottish perspective get much traction when the Prime Minister already claims their will is not important now!

The Tories government could have understood their wish and given them a chance, but instead the London acts superior and as royals inside the Union. They are doing what they have claimed the Brussels European Commission has done to them. That is the acts of Theresa May is what the United Kingdom and His Majesties Government (HM Gov.) said about the European Union and their bureaucracies. So that London should be careful to address the Scottish National Party and Sinn Féin are righteous in their will and opinion.

That the Scottish government want a new referendum is understandable if the same government that we’re adamant and clear in their will of being a Member State in 2012; would not change their opinion in such short time. That the Northern Ireland wants to be secure that they have soft borders and has a genuine relationship with rest of Ireland and Dublin. That shouldn’t be seen as strange, it is shorter road to Dublin than to London.

If the Tories government think they can override Belfast and Edinburgh, than they are doing the same as the Brexiteers have claimed all along the Brussels did to London. It is time for the Tories to wake up and smell the coffee.  They have to either decide if they want it black, or with milk or even sugar. Tories want it all in the bag and have the biggest trade-off with the European Union, but if they lose the Scottish and Northern Irish.

So the London government should offer a token and give them a timeline and let them have polls inside the parliaments in the other states that are part of the Union. Since the United Kingdom was allowed to discontinue the Member State status within the European Union, so the Northern Ireland and Scotland should be able to if they want to leave London alone. Peace.

Reference:

Loughnane, Alan – ‘Sinn Féin call for referendum on Northern Ireland leaving the UK’ (14.03.2017) link: https://www.joe.ie/news/sinn-fein-call-referendum-northern-ireland-leaving-uk-581421

Maguire, Patrick – ‘Nicola Sturgeon calls second Scottish independence referendum’ (13.03.2017) link: http://www.newstatesman.com/politics/uk/2017/03/nicola-sturgeon-calls-second-scottish-independence-referendum

Murphy, Joe & Crerar, Pippa – ‘Brexit ‘not a time to play politics’ says Theresa May in clash with SNP over Scottish independence vote’ (14.03.2017) link: http://www.standard.co.uk/news/politics/may-clashes-with-snp-over-call-for-new-scottish-independence-vote-a3489266.html

Newsletter – ‘May tells Sinn Fein not right time for border poll’ (14.03.2017)  Link: http://www.newsletter.co.uk/news/may-tells-sinn-fein-not-right-time-for-border-poll-1-7866494

O’Brian, Tim – ‘Pressing need for vote on Irish unity, says Sinn Féin’ (13.03.2017) link: http://www.irishtimes.com/news/ireland/irish-news/pressing-need-for-vote-on-irish-unity-says-sinn-f%C3%A9in-1.3009166

Scottish Government – ‘Scotland’s Future – Your Guide to an Independent Scotland’ (November 2013)

United Kingdom Government and Scottish Government – ‘Agreement – between the United Kingdom Government and the Scottish Government on a referendum on independence for Scotland’ (15.10.2012)

Burundi: Le Ministère de la Défense Nationale annonce qu’aucun Groupe armé n’a été aperçu traversant la frontière entre le Burundi et le Rwanda (13.03.2017)

South Sudan: NRF/NRA Posistion Paper on the Emerging of Different South Sudanese Fighting Opposition Groups in light of Search for Solution to the Ongoing Nationwide Crisis (10.03.2017)

Mystery piece: SPLM-IO secret of the General’s death!

Today’s resignation of Col. Nyarji Jermlili Roman, there is revelation of a weakness that can only benefit the rest of the rebels and the government troops itself. As a key sentence from Col. Nyarji Jermlili Roman that said:

“Finally, it is worth mentioning that, over three years, you intentionally failed to supply our forces in Equatoria with arms and the necessary logistical support, an act that endangered many of our men’s lives because their capacity to defend themselves was greatly affected, hence the death of Gen. Elias Lino Jada, and Gen. Martin Kenyi, among others” (Col. Nyarji Jermlili Roman, 11.03.2017).

Even reports in the mid-year last year showed that he was a powerful rebel and an important ally of the SPLM-IO rebellion towards the SPLM/A. This with the Dr. Lam Akol Ajawin with his own outfit National Democratic Movement (NDM) and the newly created by Lt. Gen. Thomas Cirilo Swaka with his National Salvation Front (NSF), who is now co-operating with Gen. Khalid Butros Bora of the South Sudanese Democratic Movement (SSDM).

So the SPLM/A has enough rebel outfits with military experience on their hands as the Japanese peacekeepers are leaving, but the greed of foreign workers paying $10,000 United States Dollars (USD) for visa in the South Sudan. That must be to get enough revenue to pay for the military operations and to battle the rebellions.

Certainly the SPLM-IO earns on the many more rebellions as the government forces has troubles to contain them alone, still the defeats of respected rebels like General Matin Kenyi, the General Staff of Training and seen as the leader of the Equatorians. Even in 2016 he was the ones who raided in Yumbe district in Uganda. So, the rebel was known also outside of South Sudan.

So this leader and rebel were important to the struggle of Dr. Riek Machar and SPLM-IO. The only proof of his death before was a little tweet by The Bell South Sudan, who wrote on the 14th August 2016 that he died in a battle in Lobonok and he died together with 14 more persons. Therefore, this today is the second message of his death, but since it is the Deputy Spokesperson of SPLM-IO.

The proof that SPLM-IO wanted it buried and not told is evident. As if died in August 2016 and it is now revealed, the SPLM-IO we’re afraid if more people wanted to leave and if the Equatorial states. Certainly the SPLA and the government can be proud of this moment, as the important generals and training officers is dying. Therefore, there is weakness in the SPLM-IO when they keeps silent of the death of central command.

The accountability by the rebels is not a good sign if they we’re to rule, they would just be other former warlords to rule the republic. As they cannot excel with information of the losses and then you cannot trust if they are really winning. Since their reports will be biased and less sincere as the withheld information is vital to their leadership, like the fall of the leader of Kenyi.

We can only wonder what sort of brigades that has been lost or vital positions, as the SPLM-IO want to seem stronger and wiser than they actually seem to be. SPLM/A are the winner in this one, even as the amount of rebels are rising on all fronts, and the wish for another less greedy and less corrupt Central Government. President Salva Kiir Mayardiit seen like a lost soul with the resignations and deflections, but with this he seems a bit stronger; since the SPLM-IO and Dr. Riek Machar cannot tell of their losses. It gets released with more people deserting from him as well, as SPLM/A has people creating their own outfits. The whole picture becomes more scattered as the famine and more issues approach.

Certainly, SPLM-IO has lost a vital and important General in Martin Kenyi, another reason for not telling about it and spelling out to the world about his fall. As his important position both locally and for training of soldiers must been seen as giant beating from SPLA. Therefore, President Kiir knows that his army has done something big in the late 2016 to weaken the rebels. Peace.

South Sudan: Resignation letter from Deputy Spokesman NLC in SPLM-IO Col. Nyarji Jermlili Roman (11.03.2017)

South Sudan: Lt. Gen. Faiz Ismail Fatur Boy resignation from SPLM/A-IO to join National Salvation Force (NSF) – (09.03.2017)

South Sudan: Equatorian Governors in the SPLM-IO on Declaration of National Salvation of South Sudan (09.03.2017)

World Bank Group President Calls for Urgent Action on Hunger Crisis (08.03.2017)

WASHINGTON, March 8, 2017—World Bank Group President Jim Yong Kim today issued the following statement on the devastating levels of food insecurity in sub-Saharan Africa and Yemen:

“Famine is a stain on our collective conscience. Millions of lives are at risk and more will die if we do not act quickly and decisively.

We at the World Bank Group stand in solidarity with the people now threatened by famine. We are mobilizing an immediate response for Ethiopia, Kenya, Nigeria, Somalia, South Sudan, and Yemen. Our first priority is to work with partners to make sure that families have access to food and water. We are working toward a financial package of more than $1.6 billion to build social protection systems, strengthen community resilience, and maintain service delivery to the most vulnerable. This includes existing operations of over $870 million that will help communities threatened by famine. I am also working with our Board of Directors to secure the approval of new operations amounting to $770 million, funded substantially through IDA’s Crisis Response Window.

The World Bank Group will help respond to the immediate needs of the current famine, but we must recognize that famine will have lasting impacts on people’s health, ability to learn, and earn a living. So we will also continue to work with communities to reclaim their livelihoods and build resilience to future shocks.

We are coordinating closely with the UN and other partners in all areas of our response. We know that resolution to this acute crisis will not be possible without all humanitarian and development actors working together. We call on the international community to respond robustly and quickly to the UN global appeal for resources for the famine.

To prevent crises in the future, we must invest in addressing the root causes and drivers of fragility today and help countries build institutional and societal resilience.”

Background

A famine means that a significant part of the population has no access to basic food, suffers from severe malnutrition, and death from hunger reaches unprecedented levels. Children under five are disproportionately affected. A famine can affect the well-being of a whole generation. Famine was officially declared on February 20 in South Sudan, impacting approximately 100,000 people, and there is a credible risk of other famines in Yemen, Northeast Nigeria, and other countries. Ongoing conflicts and civil insecurity are further intensifying the food insecurity of millions of people across the region, and there is already widespread displacement and other cross-border spillovers. For instance, food insecurity in Somalia and famine in South Sudan are accelerating the flow of refugees into Ethiopia and Uganda. The UN estimates that about 20 million people in Nigeria, South Sudan, Somalia and Yemen are on the “tipping point” of famine. Drought conditions also extend to Uganda and parts of Tanzania. The last famine was declared in 2011 in Somalia during which 260,000 people died.

South Sudan: A Fruitful Discussion between Gen. Khalid Butrus Bora of SSDM/A and Gen. Thomas Cirillo Swaka of NSF (07.03.2017)