Security Council press statement on Somalia (27.02.2018)

NEW YORK, United States of America, February 27, 2018 – Security Council press statement on Somalia:

The members of the Security Council condemned in the strongest terms the two terrorist attacks of 23 February 2018 in Mogadishu that killed and injured innocent Somalis.

The members of the Security Council expressed their deep sympathy and condolences to the families of the victims, as well as to the people and Government of Somalia. The members of the Security Council wished a speedy recovery to those injured.

The members of the Security Council commended the swift response of Somalia’s security forces, AMISOM and other first responders. They thanked the African Union and the Government of Somalia for opening an investigation into an incident between AMISOM’s Quick Reaction Force and NISA near the KM4 checkpoint.

The members of the Security Council reaffirmed that terrorism in all its forms and manifestations constitutes one of the most serious threats to international peace and security.

The members of the Security Council underlined the need to bring perpetrators, organizers, financiers and sponsors of these reprehensible acts of terrorism to justice and urged all States, in accordance with their obligations under international law and relevant Security Council resolutions, to cooperate actively with the Government of Somalia and all other relevant authorities in this regard.

The members of the Security Council reiterated that any acts of terrorism are criminal and unjustifiable, regardless of their motivation, wherever, whenever and by whomsoever committed.

The members of the Security Council reaffirmed the need for all States to combat by all means, in accordance with the Charter of the United Nations and other obligations under international law, including international human rights law, international refugee law and international humanitarian law, threats to international peace and security caused by terrorist acts.

The members of the Security Council paid tribute to all Somali and international actors working to bring peace and stability in Somalia.  The members of the Security Council reiterated their determination to support peace, stability and development in Somalia.  They underlined that neither this nor any other terrorist attack would weaken that determination.

Nearly two-thirds of the population in South Sudan at risk of rising hunger (26.02.2018)

Sustained assistance and access critical to prevent hunger reaching its highest level ever.

JUBA, South Sudan, February 26, 2018 -More than 7 million people in South Sudan – almost two-thirds of the population – could become severely food insecure in the coming months without sustained humanitarian assistance and access, three United Nations agencies warned today.

If this happens, this will be the highest ever number of food insecure people in South Sudan. The period of greatest risk will be the lean season, between May and July. Particularly at risk are 155,000 people, including 29,000 children, who could suffer from the most extreme levels of hunger.

In January, 5.3 million people, or nearly half of the population, were already struggling to find enough food each day and were in “crisis” or “emergency” levels of food insecurity (IPC Phases 3 and 4), according to an Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC) report released today.

This represents a 40 percent increase in the number of severely food insecure people compared to January 2017.

The report comes one year after famine was declared in parts of South Sudan in February 2017.

Improved access and a massive humanitarian response succeeded in containing and averting famine later last year. Despite this, the food insecurity outlook has never been so dire as it is now.

The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) and the World Food Programme (WFP) warn that progress made to prevent people from dying of hunger could be undone, and more people than ever could be pushed into severe hunger and famine-like conditions during May-July unless assistance and access are maintained.

“The situation is extremely fragile, and we are close to seeing another famine. The projections are stark. If we ignore them, we’ll be faced with a growing tragedy. If farmers receive support to resume their livelihoods, we will see a rapid improvement in the country’s food security situation due to increased local production,” said Serge Tissot, FAO Representative in South Sudan.

A growing tragedy that must not be ignored

Overall hunger levels have risen due to protracted conflict that led to reduced food production and constantly disrupted livelihoods. This was further exacerbated by economic collapse, which impacted markets and trade, making them unable to compensate for the decrease in local food production.

Prolonged dry spells, flooding and continued pest infestation, such as Fall Armyworm, have also had a damaging impact.

“The situation is deteriorating with each year of conflict as more people lose the little they had. We are alarmed as the lean season when the harvest runs out is expected to start this year much earlier than usual,” said Adnan Khan, WFP Representative and Country Director. “Unless we can pre-position assistance rather than mount a more costly response during the rains, more families will struggle to survive.”

In areas like Unity, Jonglei, Upper Nile, and Central Equatoria, riddled by reoccurring outbreaks of violent conflict and displacement, the proportion of people suffering from extreme food insecurity ranges from 52 to 62 percent – more than half the states’ combined population. The number is expected to keep increasing unless people find the means to receive, produce or buy their own food.

Mapping hunger – projections for the first half of 2018

  • February-April 2018:  6.3 million people in IPC Phases 3 (“Crisis”), 4 (“Emergency”) and 5 (Catastrophe). This includes 50,000 people in IPC Phase 5.
  • May-July 2018: 7.1 million people in IPC Phases 3, 4 and 5. This includes 155,000 people in IPC Phase 5.

1.3 million children under five at risk of acute malnutrition

Conflict and worsening hunger have led to already soaring rates of malnutrition. Without assistance, as of May, more than 1.3 million children under five will be at risk of acute malnutrition.

Malnutrition rates are set to rise once the rainy season starts in April. Once this happens, many communities will become isolated and unable to reach medical services. The rains will make the country’s dirt roads unusable, and it will become more and more difficult to deliver supplies to medical centres.

“We are preparing for rates of severe malnutrition among children never before seen in this country,” said Mahimbo Mdoe, UNICEF’s Representative in South Sudan. “Without an urgent response and access to those most in need, many children will die. We cannot allow that to happen.”

Of particular concern are the areas around Leer, Mayendit, Longochuk and Renk where children under five face extremely critical levels of malnutrition.

Response to date

Last year, FAO, WFP, UNICEF and their partners rolled out their largest ever aid campaign, saving lives and containing famine. In 2017, agency partners conducted more than 135 rapid humanitarian missions to the most hard-to-reach areas, providing life-saving assistance to over 1.8 million people.

FAO provided 5 million people – many in difficult-to-reach or conflict-affected areas – with seeds and tools for planting, and fishing kits in 2017. FAO has also vaccinated more than 6.1 million livestock to keep animals alive and healthy. This has been vital as most of the population rely on livestock for their survival.

UNICEF and partners admitted some 208,000 children with severe acute malnutrition in 2017 and plan to reach 215,000 this year. Together with WFP, UNICEF took part in 51 rapid response missions in 2017 to reach communities cut off from regular aid assistance. The Rapid Response Mechanism (RRM) will remain a key means of accessing conflict-affected communities in the coming months.

At the peak of its response this year, WFP aims to reach 4.4 million people with life-saving food and nutrition assistance. WFP is pre-positioning food in areas likely to be cut off during the rainy season, so people will not go hungry. WFP plans to pre-position 140,000 metric tons of food and nutrition supplies – 20 percent more than in 2017 – in more than 50 locations across the country.

South Sudan: 19 Senior Officers of the SPLM/A-IO deflects to National Salvation Front (NAS) – (26.02.2018)

Kenya: Infrastructure Projects (SGR and a Truck Road) will destroy parts of Nairobi National Park!

The value of Nairobi National Park as a tourism site is dwindling and with amp-speed, the government are preparing all sorts of activity, to take away the natural environment and make sure for what they seems as progress. Like always with this KANU government, sorry Jubilee, the Court Orders are not followed. This time being a Chinese Contractor building the Standard Gauge Railroad (SGR). However, leaked documents proves that the government plans more activity in the NNP. They are not caring about the environment and want to make quick bucks on the area.

Seemingly on the 23rd February 2018 the construction of the Standard Gauge Railroad (SGR) as reported by Kenyans United Against Poaching (KUAPO) wrote:

We have just received an alert that work on SGR Phase 2A has started within the boundaries of Nairobi National Park. Reports are coming in that about 40 workers with heavy machinery have started work near the embankment close to east gate and a construction camp that was set up last week. The area is heavily guarded by KWS rangers who are now not allowing anyone to get close. If these works are related to SGR Phase 2A, they are in contravention of the STOP ORDER currently in place as well as ongoing contempt of court proceedings. Either way, these works are in violation of EMCA and the WCMA and must be stopped immediately” (KUAPO, 23.02.2018).

The Environmental Management Consultancy (EMC) has invited stakeholders to a meeting on the 2nd March at the KWS Safari Walk Hall. This because the EMC are planning to build and operate certain projects in the NNP. They are planning construction a road from the Inland Container Depot in Embakasi Nairobi to access road line A which is a 3.8 kilometers road along the NNP, so this road are linking the Nairobi Inland Container Depot (ICD) and the Southern Bypass road for eases for the trucks. This is on orders by the Kenya Railways.

So it is not enough that the SGR are built true the NNP, but they need are road to pass there. So now rails and trucks can be brought true. EMC and Kenya Railways. Both actions are proving that the government doesn’t care about how they will impact the environment. We can wonder if there is more Chinese investors behind the road-development, as it took some Chinese contractors to build the SGR through the park.

If the Jubilee cares about how tourists and tourism pages wrote recently about NNP, this is taken from the Traveller, which claims to be this: “Traveller is the essential resource for Australians who love to travel. We are dedicated to providing the best travel advice by offering the perfect mix of inspirational content and comprehensive destination guides with things to do and places to stay” (Traveller, About Us).

So when the Australians read this about NNP: “One minute outside one of the biggest airports in Africa and there’s a herd of zebras wandering through some empty bushland just off the main road into the city. Two minutes later, there are three giraffes turning their heads this way and that, looking for all the world as if they’re preparing a traffic report for their mates back in the jungle. And within just 15 minutes of clearing customs at Kenya’s Jomo Kenyatta Airport in the capital Nairobi, I’m sitting watching three lions stalk another dazzle of zebra and buffalo having a mud bath in arguably the world’s most astonishing wonderland – a massive wildlife conservancy on the very fringes of the fifth biggest city on the continent” (…) “It’s extraordinary in being 117 square kilometres of wilderness on the doorstep of a massively growing metropolis. We’re now the only capital city in the world with over 600 species of animals and birds, and more than 500 species of plants. It’s amazing that it’s so close to the city, but so far in terms of its atmosphere” (Sue Williams – ‘Nairobi National Park, Kenya: The world’s most astonishing wonderland’ 19.02.2018 link: http://www.traveller.com.au/nairobi-national-park-kenya-astonishing-wonderland-h0wbrz).

So when Australians reading this, they might be interested in visiting the place, even other foreigners, as they will bring good foreign exchange and secure employment for many through the tourism industry. However, that doesn’t seem important and such. As the state are now displaying plans for development, where they could take care of the environment and also earn funds on foreign tourist. It could been easy, instead they are building infrastructure in the midst of a National Park, because that is genius idea.

It is brilliant to cut of the park on different positions, one with the rails, the other with the road. So they can develop the areas that are cut-off instead of taking care of the NNP. That can clearly be seen as the vision, as the railroad will not slice parts of it off and then the road coming and might do more. It is just so fitting, they coincide. It is ignorant to think otherwise and wonder if the Chinese or the government has plans with the part where the railroad will drive around. Peace.

Kenya: Petition for the removal of Supreme Court Judges & The Justice Service Commission (26.02.2018)

AMISOM: AU Special Representative condemns yesterday’s terror attack on innocent civillians in Mogadishu (25.02.2018)

South Sudan: The OCHA Report of February 2018 shows that the state systematically does crimes against humanity!

The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) report on South Sudan on the 23rd February 2018 to the Human Rights Council. It has some striking finds that the OCHA has been able to collect from the recent events in the Republic of South Sudan. These should not go unnoticed as the misuse of force and power, should be questioned. That the government and war-lords are continuing to salvage whatever left and spending their time on their power, instead of building a nation.

This report is spelling out devious attempts to control power and also vicious malicious acts against humanity. That should not be left in the blind. Maybe the Sudanese People’s Liberation Movement/Army – In Government (SPLM/A-IG) doesn’t want this out, neither does the President Salva Kiir Mayardiit. The OCHA reports shows this and therefore, the continuation of the civil war are reasons for all of this.

Civilians Attacked:

Evidence shows that the SPLA has launched attacks directed against the civilian population where no opposition armed forces have been present to justify a military attack, and has intentionally killed unarmed and fleeing civilians in the incidents investigated by the Commission. The consistent narrative that emerges from these attacks against civilians and intentional killings is that they have been undertaken in retaliation for battlefield losses or killings of SPLA soldiers by opposition forces, or because civilians have been perceived to be sympathetic to the opposition due to their ethnicity or their place of residence in an opposition controlled area” (OCHA, P: 5, 2018).

Sexual and Gender Based Violence:

The Commission paid special attention to sexual and gender-based violence which remains a central feature of the conflict. The Commission documented many accounts of rape, gang rape, forced stripping or nudity, forced sexual acts, castration and mutilation of genitalia, which were perpetrated by the SPLA, the Mathiang Anyoor, National Security Services personnel and Military Intelligence, as well as SPLA-IO, during military attacks in Greater Upper Nile, the Equatorias and Greater Bahr el Ghazal” (OCHA, P: 6, 2018).

Recruiting Child Soldiers:

Confidential documents received by the Commission showed extensive presence of children among the SPLA and SPLA-IO (TD) forces in Upper Nile. The Commission also observed children associated with armed forces and armed groups in Eastern and Central Equatorias, on the West Bank of the Nile, and in Western Bahr el Ghazal, some as young as twelve years old. Children told the Commission of being abducted from outside their homes and schools, and of voluntarily joining armed forces and groups to protect themselves and their families. Some children were forced to kill civilians or loot, and were subjected to corporal punishment if they did not obey orders. A recent report by the Ceasefire and Transitional Security Arrangements Monitoring Mechanism (CTSAMM) (2018/2) suggests that “the recruitment and employment of ‘child soldiers’ goes on throughout the country.” (OHCA, P: 6, 2018).

Extra-Judicial Killings in Yei:

The Commission received numerous reports of extra-judicial killing of civilians, particularly of young men suspected of supporting the SPLA-IO. SPLA soldiers also repeatedly abducted civilians who were later found dead. UNMISS Human Rights Division documented the killing of 114 civilians by pro-Government forces around Yei between mid-July 2016 and mid-January 2017, pointing out that the actual number of fatalities and injuries is likely to be much higher” (OHCA, P: 7, 2018).

Crimes in the Pajok:

The Commission finds that there are reasonable grounds to believe that the SPLA intentionally directed attacks against the civilian population and deliberately killed civilians in Pajok on 3 April 2017. Furthermore, there are reasonable grounds to believe that the SPLA engaged in systematic looting and theft of private property either for personal or organisational use in the aftermath of the attack. The SPLA attack on civilians in Pajok in 2017 directly led to the displacement of nearly the entire population of the town” (OHCA, P: 10, 2018).

Crimes in the Wau:

The Commission finds reasonable grounds to believe that SPLA soldiers engaged in killings of civilians, and looting and destruction of private property in Wau town on 24-25 June 2016 and killings of civilians in Wau town on 10 April 2017. These amount to serious violations of human rights and humanitarian law, and may amount to war crimes and crimes against humanity” (OHCA, P: 11, 2018).

Crimes in the West Bank:

Based on the evidence collected, the Commission finds reasonable grounds to believe that SPLA soldiers deliberately killed civilians and extensively looted and destroyed civilian property during their ground offensive along the West bank of the Nile in 2017. The evidence provides reasonable grounds to believe that the SPLA directed attacks against the civilian population. These amount to serious violations of human rights and humanitarian law, and may amount to war crimes and crimes against humanity” (OHCA, P: 12, 2018).

Crimes in Pagak:

The Commission finds reasonable grounds to believe that SPLA soldiers engaged in killings of civilians, rape and other forms of conflict-related sexual violence, theft or pillage, and destruction of civilian and humanitarian objects in Mathiang, Maiwut, and Pagak and the surrounding villages and areas during its offensive in south-eastern Upper Nile in 2017. The evidence provides reasonable grounds to believe that the SPLA directed attacks against the civilian population” (OHCA, P: 14, 2018).

This is just the collection of the evidence that the OCHR has, and surely there are more stories not told, because of fear or because the people who flee from the battleground couldn’t speak of the violence. The assessment of the matter, is that this report is only preliminary, as the state are muffling the voices of discontent and tried to silence the local media. So we know that the UN OHCA has collected a good dose of evidence and documentation, that can verify the violations against human rights and humanitarian laws. That the state and army together in the violations, also the militias who are doing their part too.

That the SPLA has been a common denominator many parts of the Republic, should also worry as the state sanctioned violence is the reason for lots of the crimes against humanity. That they have attacked directly the ones they are supposed to defend and secure the citizens. They should not be known for terrorizing and destroying the society for the gains of the President. That is just wrong. Peace.

Reference:

Office for Coordination Human Rights (OCHR) Commission – ‘Report of the Commission on Human Rights in South Sudan’ (23.02.2018)

Opinion: Are the NASA Flagbearer’s bailing on Odinga?

There is speculations that there is opening cracks within the National Super Alliance (NASA), that shouldn’t surprise anyone, since the central leadership of NASA didn’t show-up when Raila Odinga and the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) had their People’s President Swearing-In on the 30th January 2018. The leadership of Amani National Congress (ANC) Musalia Mudavadi, Wiper Democratic Movement Stephen Kalonzo Musyoka and FORD Kenya Moses Wetan’gula. Who all wasn’t at the venue in Uhuru Park.

Therefore, that the cracks are coming now is expected, just like all of them are scratching for their futures, while the Jubilee is planning their next loot. Because it is like the leadership within Jubilee are planning for the running-mates for Deputy President William Ruto and if Gideon Moi will exceed him. It is in the same regard, that the NASA leadership are planning their road ahead of 2022. What is sad is they are accepting defeat and the illegitimate government of President Kenyatta. Just as the Cabinet Secretaries are sworn-in and the start of extended loans of the regime is appearing. A hot minute after the NASA was ordered by the CS Fred Matiangi to be a “criminal gang”. Many of the leaders has gotten suspended licenses of arms, passports and deals. They have lost their security detail and also could lose more of private finances, as the state will use their position to harass and destroy NASA.

Seemingly it seems to work, because Kalonzo, Wetangula and Mudavadi isn’t really pushing resistance, they wasn’t even trying to make a proper ghost government. They just was afraid in their homes and hasn’t tried to push any professed agenda together. Seemingly, the NASA leadership are crumbling. Not that is unlikely. I have been waiting for Kalonzo to push himself to Jubilee or anywhere else, where the grass is greener. That is because that would fit his ways, since he has moved-on before.

Mudavadi who came in quickly before the elections and did his thing. But he hasn’t moved anywhere or seemed like in direct contact. Wetangula is the silent one of these three. But the ANC, WDM and Ford-Kenya, are the smaller parties inside the NASA. It is the ODM and Odinga who has the biggest following, all three of them knows this. Even as if they go away and continue on their own. They need to have alliance with some sort of kingmaker or kingpin. Jubilee has had it and used that to make the alliance of the parties into one single unit before the election in 2017.

We know that this has already cost for Wiper and Kalonzo, as the Ukambi Youth Forum has dismissed him twice after 30th January 2018. They have now said that they don’t trust him. We can await what other Youth Groups to do ANC and Ford-Kenya. As they haven’t shown loyalty to the agenda of stopping Jubilee either. Kalonzo was supposed to be running-mate and first deputy under Odinga. He has clearly not have the motivation for following that. Since he backed-off and trying to take the secure way out.

If these are bailing out now, to secure the present and make something new for 2022. Then they are clearly, showing that they only thought CORD/NASA was a flagship to use, but not to stop the Jubilee. Kalonzo has really started to show his dismay and therefore youths are addressing him. Soon, the same might happen with Mudavadi and Wetangula. They might end up with favors and pleasures on the level of Ekuru Aukot of the Thirdway Alliance. If they play it wrong, the public will have much favors and care about him. They will be in the same division of relevance Thirdway, is that the aims of the fellas?

Will they give away and risk losing the public crowds around the ODM and Odinga, over possible quick-fix money elsewhere? Are they having so little integrity, that they trade that off for a possible favor in 2022?

I wouldn’t be surprised if the public turned on them and shunned them. They was supposed to support the People’s Assembly, be in resistance of the modern day KANU government. Be in opposing place and show the way of a real change towards the Kenyatta Presidency. Instead, they will prolong and makes sure the government get their way. We can really question if they where there just to gain of popularity of Odinga and not really offering themselves for the cause. They would not risk themselves or their position. Not able to take he cost, even as supporters of them was detained, hurt and even died in demonstrations. If they went under the banner and because of one of these leaders. Then they were played by them and used, just like the government has used the ferried supporters during the elections.

If these leaders doesn’t understand that sentiment and giving in now, as they have started a hardline, a way that cost now, but benefit in the long run. Then they don’t understand the fight against the cartels that are running the republic. Peace.

South Sudan Civil Society Forum surprised by Minister’s Comment on Economy boom (25.02.2018)

South Sudan: “Re- Suspected Case of Sexual Abuse and Exploitation Against Some Members of the Ghana FPU Contigent with UNMISS – South Sudan” (25.02.2018)