Tchad: Field Marshal Déby for life

In N’Djamena, the capital of Tchad the President since 2nd December 1990 is now known as the Field Marshal (maréchal) of Tchad, Idriss Déby Itno, President of the Republic, the head of state (chef d’État).

This is Idriss Déby Itno who today on the 10th November 2020 proclaimed that his standing for yet another term in April 2021. This is another term in office after being the head of state for 31 years. Tchad is clearly lacking manpower and people with skills. Since they need the same man for so long.

Déby helped a coup in the 1982, but years later himself fled to Sudan in exile because of another foiled coup in 1989, but achieved his goals in 1990. Since then he has reigned supreme in the Republic. Where he has changed the laws and ensured his reign.

Officially in 2016 he won his “fifth” term, but then you are erasing the first term, which was his coup d’etat. The International Media will state his running for the 6th Term. However, that is not reflecting the timeline and years, which he wasn’t elected.

For the simple reason, Déby won the first post-independent election in 1996. Alas, he had a term in office before being elected. The Chadian President is officially on his 5th Term, but then again we are erasing his first years. This is why this is his 6th Term and his running for 7th term and because of constitutional changes he can run again for his 8th Term in 2027. As the terms of Presidency has gone from 5 to 6 years as well.

The Field Marshal, the Head of State and President of Tchad hasn’t any plans to step down. Expect the elections to be fixed and rigged in his favour. The opposition will be in trouble and he will control everything. There will be jammed phone-lines, social media blackout and internet blockage. The state will be under lockdown after the polls. That is what these sort of folks do. While playing like they are legitimate leaders.

Déby will do this. It is the nature of these things. He will run for his 7th Term, even if media and elsewhere will state it’s his 6th Term. That is because of lack of counting the first six years in office. This is something happens elsewhere as well. It is like the first coup years of an administration is erased after they have held an election. An unwritten rule of sorts, which just happens to occur everywhere.

Déby usually serves the same fate as others in his stead. The ones who took power this way isn’t leaving office, but lingering for life. That is what he does, but also boosting more titles to make himself look grandeur. He needs to look big and have certainly a huge ego. Therefore, he cannot leave office.

An office he has had since 1990. It seems like forever and plenty of the citizens in his republic doesn’t remember other Presidents than him. That isn’t strange, but reflects more on Déby himself. This is what he has made and it all falls down on him.

Déby is yet another one of those self-styled President for life. Who will use all legal means to stay in office and leaves no plan of any successor. Idriss will be remembered for this. The up-coming election is only a charade, because we know the results already. The books are written and headlines are predetermined. It is only a a waiting game, where we know the results even before it starts. Peace.

Kenya: Office of the Inspector General – National Police Service – Enforcement of COVID-19 Protocols and Regulations (05.11.2020)

Kenya: Joint NGO Press Statement – Establishment of Covid-19 Special Enforcement Unit (SEU) is Misplaced and Must Be Rethought (05.11.2020)

Kenya: Police Reforms Working Group – Kenya (PRWG-K) – Imperatives for Policing Transformation: An Intial Response to Building Bridges Initative Implementation Road Map (30.10.2020)

Opinion: The BBI is a way to upgrade the political elite

Today was the official launch after the newest Building Bridges Initiative for National Unity Report was delivered. It is just mere days since it came to the public. Since the it has been praised and questioned. The motives are clear as day. That this Report will make the President more powerful and ensure the reign of the one will give way to a stronger Commander-In-Chief and Head of State. In a manner, which haven’t been seen in a while

The BBI Report also ushers in other positions, which is also appointed by the President. Also, others who are de facto weakening the independence of the Judiciary. Which is all things the current President wants.

They are trying to sell this a referendum the public wants or needs. The final stage of rejuvenating the Constitution to perfection. Ensure the bottlenecks and the failing issues are closed. They are sealing of the quarters, the National Assembly and giving doughnuts to counties. That is just the mere reality. In a way to make it a national need, instead of the elites with a few wordings. While the biggest changes are in-connection with the Presidency and the Higher Ranking positions. Which all will benefit the political elite. They will make things more stable, but give the President more power.

The BBI has been a way to make Raila Odinga a Kingmaker and made him government spokesperson. Odinga have become a man who works for the government, while his party been officially the Leaders of Opposition, which is a juxtaposition, if there ever was one. It has sidelines Deputy President William Ruto, but he will now jump on the train to sing this reggae too.

President Uhuru Kenyatta bough a piece of mind with the Handshake. He brought the Opposition to a standstill and soften the blow of the fraudulent elections of 2017. It has given him a free space and only offered tokens to the opposition. This is why he hasn’t faced anything of substance or such. That is why this BBI is favouring his needs and what he wants.

Kenyatta is getting all the things he wished he had. Because, he never accepted the powers given to the Judiciary and the Courts. Neither, has he approved of the things that has given his less power as the Executive. Uhuru wanted so much more and not just having partial power. That is why his all for these changes. It would be a blessing for him and therefore, it is the sort of legal changes, which he wants to anoint in his term.

The BBI is an exercise for a very limited few. They might say it is for the public and the betterment of the public. They have a few anecdotes and words, which reflects the needs of Kenya. However, they are minor, but the important are the ones that affects the central leadership. These are the ones winning in this battle and the BBI is for them.

This here isn’t for the poor of Kisumu, Lodwar, Marsabit, Wajir, Kilifi or in Lamu. No, this is for the political elites of Nairobi. This is troubles made for the political elites and their dynasties. The BBI is the upper echelon and the cartels. They claim maybe to serving the public doing this, but the ones gaining from this is the big-men. The loser is the general public who are pawns in their game.

Just like the rigged elections took the public for granted. The same does the BBI. It is just all flair, show and a circus sprinkled with a power move for the almighty. There are no generosity or charity here. Only a poignant fact that the ones in power intends to stay and use their time to consolidate it.

The BBI is a trick, which is there to fool. They come with the idea, ideals and ethical conundrums, but the key aspects is to deliver more to the most high. Peace.

Kenya: Kongamano La Mageuzi (KLM) – Kenyans, Don’t Be Fooled: Reject the BBI Nyayosi (25.10.2020)

Kenya Medical Practitioners Pharamacists and Dentists’ Union: KMPDU Statement on Building Bridges Initiative Report (22.10.2020)

The BBI Report: The highlights of elite ideals

The new Highlights of the Building Bridges Initiative that has been published online. The 23 pages of the BBI Report. Which seems like revised edition of the 2019 release. The BBI got an extension in 2019 and is now a own Committee. Therefore, they needed to release something to viable and relevant.

The BBI is showing that they are planning to implement the same things as before. Now, the elected President will appoint an Prime Minister. There will be a Leader of Opposition, which is the runner-up of the Presidential Election. That person will be ex-officio MP. While bing part of the Parliament. These two ideas are alone just for the political elite and not to better society. This is simple ideas, where the political elite is creating two more offices and make them legal by law. Without them doing anything substantial to the issues that are there.

The BBI also will change the name of Cabinet Secretaries to Cabinet Ministers, which can also be technocrats, these being appointed leadership by the President. These will like the Leader of Opposition will become ex-officio MPs. That means they will get the perks, which the ex-officio MPs are getting. That shows the practicality of the scheme itself.

While creating a position of Prime Minister, the same BBI will abolish the Chief Administrative Secretary. This shows, that they are entitled with one role, which is more official, then the CAS is today. To add a mandate for one person. It is to give the PM more of a statutory role and in the end make the “Chief of Staff” redundant.

What is also striking is the sudden add of a Special Magistrate to combat Corruption. Corruption, which is eating up society and taking away valuable currency from the state and the operation of the state itself. The idea itself isn’t foolish. However, that will just be another office, which will combat the same problem. They also want to strengthen the Ombudsman, but the Director of Public Prosecuter (DPP) are not mentioned. The DPP is the one out there and the same with the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC). Therefore, there are already mechanisms, but they are not working, because its deliberately done so. So, to create another office… is just a smokescreen. It will not stop the cartels, the corruption and such. Only show-case the small cases, but the big-fish like always.

These are just my first view of the highlights of the BBI Report, which was released today. It wasn’t anything spectacular, but more a ordinary formula. Which has been used in a while. Nothing really surprising. However, a publicity stunt in a way.

Trying to make BBI relevant and assess the situation. The BBI is clearly not there to revolutionize society, but instead secure the elites. There is nothing else I can see in this. Maybe I am jaded, but I am not seeing it differently. As someone from the outside looking in.

The BBI seems to be saving grace for Kenyatta with the blessing of Odinga. Giving Kenyatta time to do what he likes, while Odinga gets to bask in glory. This highlights of the BBI Reports. Doesn’t sing any other song. It is the same tune, but with the same formula. Peace.

Kenya: Cabinet Despatch (16.10.2020)

It should have been “Cabinet Dispatch” right?

African National Congress (ANC): Statement on the ANC on the Economic Recovery Plan announced by President Ramaphosa (15.10.2020)