Nile Basin Initiative: Agreement on the Nile River Basin Cooperative Framework – Announcement by the Nile Basin States on the Entry into Force of the Nile River Basin Cooperative Framework Agreement (13.10.2024)

Opinion: Fix potholes before you connect yourself to Bangui…

“Together with the Central African Republic, we want to persuade the governments of Congo and South Sudan to construct a road from Arua [in Uganda] through Congo to Obo, and another connecting Yei, Yeribi, and Yambio in South Sudan to CAR” – President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni (09.10.2024).

After 62 years of Independence from the United Kingdom, Uganda celebrated its independence yesterday. On that day it was revealed that the President, the Head of State and the Commander-in-Chief, President Museveni wants to build a road from Uganda to the Central African Republic (C.A.R).

The idea in itself isn’t bad or a suggestion that is just pure hogwash. No, the ideal of connecting the region and having workable roads across the Republic’s would be good for trade, moving goods and people moving across the borders. However, there is no sustainability report or planned investment of infrastructure to do this. Meaning this is done on a whim and because someone had a good idea…

There are already problems with the roads that the Ugandans and their contractors are building in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). As they have the use of Dott Services and such, which just shows what sort of enterprise this is. It isn’t about the roads in itself, but about a way of enriching someone and using public funds that way. The roads are just a means to an end.

The roads and the development projects to the Central African Republic would be in the same fashion. The bitumen, the gravel and whatnot wouldn’t really be there. Neither would the state doe the rights with the owners of the territories or ensure the longevity of it. No, it is a white elephant created to make someone really wealthy. I wouldn’t be surprised if the roads become no existent or even a never-ending story. A budget post that never gets enough or a forever pending issue, which was a fever dream of the Head of State.

The State House and the Government of Uganda has already lacked infrastructure within the borders and within its own territories. There is a lack of feeder-roads, proper highways and roads to fulfil the needs of the citizens, business and the farmers to get their produce to market. Therefore, building even more roads outside the nation is outrageous.

UNRA cannot even compete or have enough budgets to ensure the needs of the Republic. They cannot build or keep up with the costs of keeping the upkeep of the day. The roads, bridges and such are lacking funding. That’s why there is lack of secondary or options when a bridge is broken-down. This has been shown again and again over the last decade. Everytime something goes badly… the state doesn’t have funds or ability to fix the bridge that was rotten or destroyed by years of neglect. Therefore, it is really unique that Uganda wants to connect to Bangui.

The pothole(s) of Kampala wants a word. The UPDF Engineering Brigade needs a word too. Dott Services wants another project and budget post to misuse funds. That’s what it does, and we can see it coming. There will be issues and reasons for all sorts of delays, but still the funds were processed and send to the company building. Meanwhile, the roads are non-existent, but the money was spent on it.

That’s what we could foresee… this won’t be a good look or bring any sort of prosperity. Neither will it help the connection of the nations or create a common market either. It will be a way to create budget posts and a way of paying off people. This can be done without any proper or ability to be transparent, accountable or do what they promised to do. Therefore, who thinks this will ever happen. Except on paper and they will talk high-and-mighty about it. Peace.

RDC: Ensemble pour la Republique – Declaration Politique – “Le Peuple Est Temoin” (07.10.2024)

RDC: Groupe Politique de l’Opposition – Declaration des Senateurs d’Ensemble pour la Republique Membres du Groupe Politique de l’Opposition (04.10.2024)

RDC: Presidence de la Republique – Cabinet du Chef de l’Etat – Communique de la Cellule de Communication de la Presidence (03.10.2024)

DRC: The M23 controls the coltan production…

“In North Kivu, the consolidation of the M23’s administrative control over the territories of Masisi and Rutshuru has allowed it to take total control of coltan production. Trade in the Rubaya region, which is said to supply more than 15% of the world’s tantalum production, brings in around USD 300,000 per month to the armed group. This situation is very worrying and must be stopped” (…) “The criminal laundering of natural resources of the DRC smuggled out of the country strengthens armed groups, maintains the exploitation of civilian populations, some of whom are reduced to de facto slavery, and undermines peace-building efforts. Unless international sanctions are imposed on those who profit from this criminal trade, peace will remain elusive and civilians will continue to suffer” – Bintou Keita, Head of the MONUSCO (01.10.2024).

The Alliance Fleuve Congo (AFC) or the March 23 Mouvement (M23) are now in control of vital mineral resource and the extraction of it in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). The DRC and the FARDC is losing out because of all it. The Kinshasa regime is losing vital taxes and possible revenue by the collection of funds that is in the hands of the M23.

This here is a loss of not only the captured areas and where the M23 resides on a daily basis. The loss of lives, the burden of production and how they operate to extract the minerals from the region. However, this here is a proof of “blood diamonds” or conflict “minerals” which is enlarging the pockets of rebellion and militias within the DRC. This here gives leverage and wealth to the commanders who are in charge and the ones that is funding the operation as well.

For years there been reports of the illicit trade of mineral resources from the region. The routes of the conflict minerals have been going across to Rwanda and Uganda. Those who are also claimed to behind the M23 to begin with. Therefore, nothing here is surprising, but it shows how profitable the conflict and the usage of militia warfare is in the region.

What the Head of MONUSCO Bintou Keita is saying is relevant, but also stating to what extent it is. The UN Experts Reports has over the years explicitly stated the way the minerals are exported and who operates within the spectrum. Now it is coming to light and how vastly the M23 is earning on it. They have a “gold” mine in their hands and can easily access funds to pursuit the mission of “annexing territories” and continue the fight against the FARDC or their allies.

The concern here is that this won’t affect or stop the illicit trade in general. As the mineral are exported and sold into the multi-national businesses that uses it. They are generating massive wealth of the extraction of the mineral resources and the M23 can continue to operate with loads of cash-flow into their operation. Therefore, the trade of Coltan becomes not only a question of cost-benefit, but it becomes problematic regarding the usage of it. This is supporting a rebel and a militia to be able to earn profits in the lines of electronics or electronic vehicles for that matter.

This here should hit the headlines worldwide, but I know it is lucky if it goes into the bulletins or a page 7 story, which is caught in between ads and ignored stories from the world. That’s where this will end… and Kinshasa government will not get the help or the manpower to be able to takeover their own territories or even cease the export of coltan from the DRC. Peace.

RDC: Union pour la Democratie et le Progres Social (UDPS) – Department de la Justice et Droits Humains – Communique (24.09.2024)

RDC: Action des Patriotes pour l’Emergence du Congo (APEC) – Declaration Politique (23.09.2024)

RDC: Alliance Fleuve Congo (AFC) – Communique Officiel (08.09.2024)

RDC: Front Commun pour le Congo (FCC) – Communique du Front Commun pour le Congo (FCC) sur le Drame du 2 Septembre dernier au Centre Penitentiaire et de Reeducation de Kinshasa (05.09.2024)