South Sudan Crisis: Nespresso suspends operation; Machar is losing friends and allies; Updates from Yei and Unity!

Just as the news of Nespresso suspending their imports of coffee from South Sudan, the South Sudanese Authorities are saying that they need to cut in the Health Care budget for next year. This is happening as the possibility for a peace between the fractions becomes smaller and the window is closing. Because the SPLM/A-IO of Dr. Riek Machar has fewer friends as the Ethiopian, Democratic Republic of Congo, Kenya or Uganda does not want to host the Rebels.

While the news  awhile back we’re that Dr. Riek Machar and his close allies we’re taken through DRC and on the Congolese soil with help of MONUSCO and the United Nation Peacekeepers sent him after fleeing Juba. This happens as the violence between SPLM/A-IO and SPLM/A, the Government party that are led by President Salva Mayardit Kiir and new First Vice-President Gen. Taban Deng Gai who has been part of SPLM/A-IO and we’re even a close ally of Dr. Lam Akol back-in-the-day when there where rifts between Gen. John Garang and Dr. Riek Machar.

Machar shows the history of rebellion towards the leadership around him, as he wants to be leader of all leaders and run it; something he seems to think he is entitled too. That is my opinion, when he even tried in early 1990s to overcome the liberation hero Dr. John Garang de Maribor. That President Kiir has taken oven for and got now the same accusation from the SPLM/A-IO as Garang got from SPLM-Nasir in the 1990s; strange how the past gets recycled in the present?

Just reported from the DRC:

“Riek Machar’s militia are not welcome in northern Democratic Republic of Congo where locals say they are a security risk. DRC’s government, after protests from the locals, has asked the UN mission in the country, MONUSCO, to move the 750 militiamen. The Congolese government has asked the UN to remove them by October the 10th. Last week, local officials wrote to the government in the capital Kinshasa warning that the South Sudanese militia are a security risk in the area” (The National Courier, 04.10.2016).

As written the Congolese Authorities are not welcoming Machar’s rebels and for certain the MONUSCO, blue helmets are moving rebels from one area to the next as they are seen as threat in DRC, but okay to have in Khartoum. Even as Sudan has said they won’t really cater to him either they are still letting him be there after the MONUSCO left him there earlier in the is calendar year.

On the Coffee Export:

“The Governor of Yei River State David Lokonga Moses says his state has lost investment and development opportunities due to the presence of insecurity in the state” (…) ““The prevailing insecurity in the state has hampered the use of these tractors and other plans for this sector. In a related development, the USAID has earmarked a grant of 3.5 million US dollars through the National Government to promote coffee growing in Yei River state. Only that we have been interrupted by this insecurity. All this efforts will strengthen the economy of the state. We are really by far being eyed by the international community to be given support for development.” (…) “Notice of Correction: An earlier version of this story emphasized that USAID had given millions for coffee development in Yei River State. This was based on a remark by Governor Lokonga taken out of context. He was in fact stressing that insecurity in the state has resulted in a loss of investment and development opportunities” (Radio Tamazuj, 03.10.2016).

As the Nespresso suspends the operations in South Sudan, the USAID coffee growing project have been also interrupted by the insecurity of the state. Yei River and Yei have been in the cross-fire and surely makes farming impossible.

More on trouble in Yei: 

“Jacob Aligo Lo-Lado, MP and Minister of Local Government in Yei River State has admitted that roughly 100,000 people trapped in the town amid increasing insecurity in the area as reported by the UN refugee agency last week” (…) “Aligo told Radio Tamazuj yesterday that Yei residents fled their homes following fighting in July, but they returned after the security situation was restored in the area. He pointed out that the locals are currently experiencing shortages of food and basic services due to the closure of roads” (Radio Tamazuj, 04.10.2016).

Here you see the more troubles in Yei, as there been reported that SPLM/A-IO had taken over the area and the fighting between SPLA and rebels have continued since July as the reports we’re then that SPLM/A-IO closed the roads towards Uganda. Because the Machar rebels fears the support of UPDF that has helped President Kiir in the past.

Shooting Police Officers:

“Police spokesman Justin Daniel said that a group of attackers assaulted the police post at Nyelo Sunday before fleeing the scene of attack to Nelo village, where they purportedly shot dead a village chief. “The general security situation is under control except some isolated incidents by some people trying to cause havoc and to cause panic to the citizens but our police personnel are there. The incident of Nyelo is being investigated and as police, we condemn and treat it as a barbaric and terrorists act. There is no justifiable cause to kill some people trying to secure the safety of the road for travelers. We are also told that the same attackers after fleeing the scene of the crime went and killed an innocent village chief at Nelo”, police spokesman said in a statement broadcast also by South Sudan broadcasting corporation” (Radio Tamazuj, 04.10.2016).

This is incidents happening on the road between Juba – Nimule road, as the village is on road. Therefore the Police Command and Police Post is on an important roads as it led to the capital and the proof of occurring violence as a reaction to another act that involve the Village chief of Nelo killed. This might be a “small act”, but significant in the matter of who it concerns and the extent of killings happening.

In Morobo and Kaya:

“The SPLA says Morobo and Kaya have never been under the control of the militias as they have claimed for the last few days. The SPLA spokesman says the militias have been celebrating fictitious victory won from Nairobi hotels on the social media” (The National Courier, 04.10.2016).

This is the official reports and what is the honest truth is hard to say, but if there we’re battles its not likely that the SPLA will concede defeat, either does the SPLM/A-IO as they want to be ahead of SPLA/M in the matter of territory. Even as they need shuttles to get out of foreign territory as they don’t want their 750 rifles and personnel away from Congolese Soil. Together with the establishment of the rebel outfit of National Democratic Movement of Dr. Lam Akol who has been a sworn ally of Dr. Riek Machar; proves that the rebels and opposition is not as solid following the instruction and leadership of Machar as they once did.

Killings in Unity:

“James Yuaj, spokesperson for the SPLM-IO in South Sudan’s Unity State on Monday accused government forces of opening fire on civilians killing three people and injuring four other including two women. Speaking to Radio Tamazuj, Yuaj accused government forces of being behind the attack in Adok area” (Radio Tamazuj, 04.10.2016).

So here we can also see that there been killings in another state, this in Unity as the proves of the state of affairs and fragile instability of the government versus the rebels who know has a plan to use arms to move and get rid of the SPLM/A as they want to install the SPLM/A-IO, but they have also the NDM who has their powers. Together with the rebels in Darfur who are the SPLM-N who also fights and could also prove their flexibility and pour into the states on the border.

This here crisis is far from over, the South Sudan leaders are more used to their guns and ammunition instead of dialogue; it is ironic that Dr. Lam Akol that are grabbing guns and arming people as he was blaming Dr. John Garang de Maribor for his wishes to use military option over dialogue to deal with the SPLM/A-Nasir of the 1990s. People tend to forget that part too. But that is two decades ago and think Dr. Lam Akol forgotten himself and how he defended dialogue during that time; now he grabs the guns as well!

Well, this is enough for now, depressing enough. Peace.

Unforgiving #SpyTapes judgement against Zuma and NPA (Youtube-Clip)

“Pretoria, 24 June 2016 – President Jacob Zuma has suffered another legal blow. Zuma and the NPA have been denied leave to appeal the so-called spy tapes ruling. eNCA reporter Nickolaus Bauer has more from the North Gauteng High Court” (eNCA, 2016)

My Letter to President Zuma after the “Spy Tapes” verdict of late was recently deemed “irrational” time to rethink you position Mr. President!

Oslo, 30^th April 2016.

Dear His Excellency President Jacob Gedleyihlekisa Zuma!

I still hope you are okay in your grand home and travelling still like the President of the Republic of South Africa. I know that you’re still having lots of hot soup and getting more time to spend in court or fellow hired lawyers to represent you and your lordship.

I am writing to you again as the allegations of corruption is becoming the envy of reign. Not that you have written and made progress, policy even of magnitude for the South African people. You are in the headlines because of the acts of corrupt behaviour and intended conspiracy of using the Executive branch to gain monetary gains. That is not Statesman supposed to do. Parts of you know that right?

“President Zuma improperly benefited from the measures implemented in the name of security which include nonsecurity comforts such as the Visitors’ Centre, such as swimming pool, amphitheater, cattle kraal with culvert and chicken run”. (Public Protector Report 10.5.3, p 431)

I am also pouring my heart to you as the Nkandla scandal is just fresh in mind and the Constitutional Court case was not in favour and you have to pay-back to the tax-payers the money you used on the fire-pool and amphitheatre in Kwa-Zulu Natal homestead. So it’s not like you have had breathing space between the allegations and even verdicts entailing the trailing prospects to your name. Not that you are famed for Nobel approach to life or deceive in the matter of economic prosperity and education of your fellow citizens. Your last name Mr. President is synonymous with Corruption. In the next Merriam-Webster dictionary your photo will be right under the word “Corrupt”. And “Acts like a Zuma” and the word in google will be “Corrupt”.

This is not easy to write to you as I am the man who you hire to clean your pool in Nkandla. As I am not even a ANC Stalwart or ANC member, I am foreigner with squat to say really. I only have my word and my mind. So I still don’t expect you or any of your loyal men in the National Assembly to take my words into account. But I might show you the opinion and demeanour the rest of world has of you.

But today, I don’t write the letter because of the Nkandla, have already addressed to you and think you should consider the proposal I had when I wrote it back then. So I will not readdress it and repeat myself to much. As that is something more than often do, as you constantly gets you name caught up in court and get petitions against your actions. Even cases that been dismissed, gets back to life and hunts you.

As the Democratic Alliance Versus Acting National Director of Public Prosecution and others (19577/2009) ZAGPPHC 255 (29.04.2016) that was on the 29^th April the current decision on the big spy tape case of 2009 is now here:

“Having regard to the conspectus of the evidence before us we find that Mr Mpshe found himself under pressure and he decided to discontinue the prosecution of Mr Zuma and consequently made an irrational decision. Considering the situation in  which  he  found himself, Mr Mpshe ignored the importance of the oath of office which demanded of him to act independently and without fear or favour” (…)”It is thus our view that the envisaged prosecution against Mr Zuma was not tainted by the allegations against Mr McCarthy. Mr Zuma should face the charges as outlined in the indictment” (…)”This Court, for the reasons stated above, finds that the decision of 1 April 2009 by Mr Mpshe to discontinue the prosecution of the case against Mr Zuma is irrational and should be reviewed and set aside” (North Gauteng High Court, Pretoria, 29.04.2016).

This must be a slap on the His Excellency the ghost of the corrupted past hits back at you. That another judge calls the former verdict a irrational one and deem it unfit; as the judge see the case upon fresh review and new process to get into the facts of the matter. That cannot be a great look, you have to pay-back the tax-payers for the fire-pool and now you have to again go through a public view of the old “Spy Tapes”. As you don’t have enough on your plate as your son have quit his job at Oakbay Investments, as the ties to the Gupta Family supposed to not be entangled in your political vision. That as much as the triple finance minister brawl of December 2015, had nothing to the with the use of money for a private plane or other procurement that the state did not have funds for.

So the controversy around never get muted Mr. President. This continues to pressure you position, just as much ever before. At this point you have again a review and over 700 counts of alleged conspiracy of corruption. That must be hurting as you are supposed to be an Executive and the grand leader of the country. The statute of the Presidency, the head honcho and the Commander-in-Chief isn’t supposed to be this much in the court room or have your name synonymous with corruption.

If you are not supposed be a thief or a gangster I would have understand Mr. President. But you have not planned for this. You thought this chapter was done and you could continue with being the leader and grand master with some flash. Instead the Democratic Alliance and the Higher Court have pulled more gasoline on the fire. The one burning sensation that does not cured with taking a shower.

Mr. President, Jacob Zuma you have now more counts on you than the worst criminals. You have now had more cases had more allegations then anybody I know who actually are a current President and also a majority party President. That is in an achievement and not a positive one. All the other issues and trade-agreements that have hunted you; they are following your shadow no matter where you walk.

So His Excellency Jacob G. Zuma, you are the man who still is the head of the ruling party ANC and also the President, means you are the Markie man in the National Assembly. You should be man of honour and man of valour of justice as you represent the chamber; that set the standard for laws and regulations. That makes your position valuable and also significant. Something you already know as you have had for few years now already. You should consider resigning or start seeking for succession as the dishonour you put into the courts, national assembly and your own party says it all Mr. President.    

This is just written to you as a consideration and a kind reminder. As I know you won’t directly read any of my letters, but I hope some of your advisors will. And parts of me wish that you would step down as you tarnish the reputation of the ANC. The ANC who was a benchmark and was a party to look up to for guidance and inspiration as he leaders had character and was men of integrity and solidarity towards fellow citizens. That is what is missing in the ANC and you Mr. President is symptom of what the party is missing. Peace.

Best regards

The Writer of Minbane