Ethiopia: Notification on the third COVID-19 death in Ethiopia (10.04.2020)

Kenya: Ministry of Foreign Affairs – Press Release on the Situation and Treatment of Kenyans in China (10.04.2020)

African Union: Communique of the Bureau of the African Union (AU) Executive Council Teleconferance Meeting held on Thursday, 9 April 2020 (09.04.2020)

Ethiopia: Notification Note on COVID-19 Situational Update (10.04.2020)

Opinion: Trump wants to be the man on the moon

If you believed they put a man on the moon

Man on the moon” R.E.M. – ‘Man on the Moon’ 1992

We are in the middle of a Coronavirus / COVID-19 epidemic crisis in the Republic and Worldwide. What does the President Trump and his team do? They write up a Executive Order to Mine the Moon. This is not a skit from Saturday Night Live. The Trump Administration is clearly showing their mismanaged ways with this.

This EO was written and published on the 6th April 2020. At a time the death numbers are rising, the amount of cases of COVID-19 is spiralling out. The United States of America is in the midst of crisis the Trump administration cannot handle. That is why the President is holding erratic press conferences. Instead of governing, because that takes work, listening to advice of experts and actually using the institutions that is there too.

Trump could have used the Defence Act to get the US companies to produce the needed ventilators, PPE equipment and everything else needed for the crisis. However, Trump only did that once to one Company and did it super late. Also, he never listened to warnings for months. Neither, did he use the Pandemic Team, which he dismantled and also cut the funds to the CDC. Therefore, it was a perfect storm.

That is why now has made a random Task Force, but its more a display team of loyal cronies and family members, than experts doing their duties. Because, if they try to, they will be stopped by infighting and lack of coordination. There is no coordination between FEMA, CDC and the White House. It is a patchwork attempt to beat an enemy. Which Trump neither understands or grasps.

He even cannot show real emotions, as he wants people to forget the ones that dies. He writes this as he written an Executive Order to Mine on the Moon. Stop International Treaties in Space. Because, the possible prospects of Fortunes on a far away Moon is better than nothing. Even if the ability or industrial efforts is at bare minimum. Unless, he has some alien forefathers that got the Tesseract to amplify the production of NASA.

Trump is misguided and lacks skills of governing, that he does this in the midst of a pandemic. That the President issues this and priorities this as citizens dies. As hospitals are struggling and the pandemic creates lockdowns all across the Republic. That a President wants to play George Lucas and Han Solo.

Instead here we are, we’re seeing this nonsense. Seeing the acts of mischief and distaste. A man who rather golf and score babes, than actually govern. A man who cares more about ratings on TV, than on saving lives. More about quick profits for his companies, than delivering life-saving policies. That is the President of the USA.

Why care for people, when you can eat cheese on the moon with Wallace and Gromit. Peace.

Burundi: Communique de Presse du Ministere de la Sante Publique et de la Lutte Contre le SIDA sur le Suivi des Actions de Prevention et de Riposte Face au COVID-19 (09.04.2020)

Eswatini: Ministry of Health – COVID-19 Update (08.04.2020)

Ethiopia: Will Abiy use this State of Emergency to crack-down on others?

I tend to support ‘State of Emergency’ measures put forward by a state or a government, when it will be done to battle insurgency or against epidemic. I understand them both. The Prosperity Party and Prime Minister Ali Ahmed Abiy is issuing his first one. It is not new with “State of Emergency” in Ethiopia. Therefore, I am sceptical and hesitant.

Even if this State of Emergency is issued for 5 months. The plan is to be delegated and controlled by the Council of Ministers, instead of the Command Post. Because of the history of Command Post. Just like people doesn’t trust the Liyu Police in the Ogaden Region. It is reasons for that, the violence, the crack-down and misuse of power towards the citizens. The same is the worry of the soldiers stationed in Amhara beating on supports of FANO. Just like the soldiers going against the querro in Oromia and so fourth. This sort of State of Emergency usually tends to be like that.

Even if this State of Emergency is placed because of the COVID-19 or Coronavirus. I have a feeling it will be used to get people more submissive to the Prosperity Party and the leadership of Addis Ababa. Expect Gondar, Jigjiba, Dire Dawa and Bahir Dar to be hit in these times. I wouldn’t be shocked to see leaked viral clips of assaulting soldiers to innocent civilians. Even reports of arrests and burning houses. Because, that is how these things to spiral out.

I’m awaiting blocked phone-lines, expect social media black-out and internet blockage, which the state has used rampantly in the Oromia region. Therefore, now that they have a legal basis. Have orders from the Central Government, the PP can act like the EPRDF did in the past and can shield information will suppressing the voices of the various regions. While using the COVID-19 as a excuse to do it. It is the perfect storm. The way of preparing the violence before the postponed elections and ensure supremacy. Without having to battle the alliances elsewhere.

The social distancing, the washing hands and the closure of state has happen elsewhere. The world is under a near global lockdown and states has issued similar means. However, the PP and its predecessor EPRDF has misused this in the past and that is not in ancient times. But it was done in the last decade and lots of systemic violence to stop the eruption of protest against the regime. Therefore, with the knowledge of that. I am worried. That is done to dismantle the voices against the government and not stop the spread of the virus itself.

The pictures of soldiers walking in the streets of Amhara, the voices of concern from Ogaden and the arrests of OLF leaders in Oromia. Shows the reasons for fear and worry. If your not, your ignorant to the way the leadership in Addis Ababa has controlled the Republic.

I hope I am wrong, because this COVID-19 is no joke. It is dangerous and contagious. It spreads so quickly and kills. While we have no direct cure or have vaccine for it. Therefore, there is a need to drastic measures to await the possible cure. However, the state who uses lockdown measures has to do it transparently and do it in the open. So the public can trust and live with it in hope, that the government act for their best interests.

Well, in this regard, I am worrying. I hope I am wrong. Because, that would have been nice. However, history teaches us things and the way people operate. Leadership can do reforms, but the reoccurent theme is that only goes skin-deep and is in rhetoric. Not in actual change of protocol nor actions. This is why I fear things. The TPLF is maybe out of the PP. However, the PP is still more of the same and they might strike with vengeance. Now that they have the opportunity. Peace.

Uganda: State House Anti-Corruption Unit – Press Statement (09.04.2020)

EFF Statement on Premiers placing their faces on Sanitizers distributed to Combat COVID-19 (09.04.2020)