Burundi: Pascal Barandagiye launches an Inter-Communal Competition for the “donations” to the 2020 Elections!

If your were thinking things are getting better in Burundi. Your terribly wrong. Now the CNDD-FDD prepares a Inter-Communal Competition for donations for the 2020 Elections. They are mocking the tax system and the public, by parading their illicit tactics to gain more funds for the fourth term elections of President Pierre Nkurunziza. That is just what they do, at this point.

They have already started using other means to get funds for the 2020 elections, as they are already collecting for other avenues as well, as students paying fees and if they don’t they loose their ability to study.

Now, there is another escalation that the Minister of Interior Pascal Barandagiye have launched his Inter-Communal Competition, so that the Commune in the Republic will compete in who is able to collect the most “gifts”, “grants” or “donations” to the General Elections 2020 Funds. Which is the key thing and been done, even civil servants has to give up donations of their pay-check to pay directly for the election. That is what the regime does to its citizens. They have an extra donation and taxes directly on the public for running an obligated election.

Now, the Commune will compete to see who can give the most and donate the most to the fund for the 2020 elections. Where the Minister Barandagiye will officiate the 1st Place in a Ceremony where the Commune who has collected the most will be celebrated by the President as the results are announced. That is how the regime is playing this.

That is happening as earlier this week, the President himself donated some cash to cause on the fifth of March 2019. That is just what he does, to look humble, when he is really taxing the public as most as possible and sanctioning them. If they are not paying enough for the up-coming elections.

That is what they are doing it like this. To make a spectacle and show about it. To show the patriotism of the commune and the willingness to “give” to the elections. Just like the President want the public for them to do.

This is utter madness. Peace.

Statement by the Minister of Foreign Affairs Hon. Sam Kutesa on the Rwanda/Uganda Situation (05.03.2019)

Uganda-Rwanda Tensions Part II: More retaliating measures!

As we have seen over the weekend at the border points between Rwanda and Uganda. There been stoppage of trucks at Katuna Border Post. A place where the trucks been stuck and not able to cross. There are even some whose been able, but they have been fined with higher rates to cross with certain goods like maize and other exports from Uganda to Rwanda.

With this in mind, there been also higher fines on the buses with Rwandan nationals crossing into Uganda. There also been reports of more deployment of soldiers close to the border. As well as three Rwandan Generals arrested, this being Joseph Nzabamwita, Fred Ibingira and Emmanuel Ruvusha. Whose all been arrested as this tension between the Republic are spiralling.

We certainly knows that the Rwandan government is retaliating. They are making it harder for the Ugandans to cross into Rwanda. Also, as the Rwandan government warned their citizens about doing this. Therefore, the buses and trucks are paying more for crossing the borders. That means, in the end the businesses on both sides will be affected and most likely the produce and imports will be more costly for the consumers in the respective country. That is what Rwandan citizens will be doing in the end, because the Ugandan traders have to get their ends.

That is the minor scratches of this, which now is very spiteful. This is happening as there is speculations of spies, sudden arrests and even missing Rwandan nationals in Uganda. As well, as the big-man play of Yoweri Museveni who is possibly supporting rebel outfits in the Democratic Republic of Congo, the RNC and FDLR, whose sole mission is to destroy Rwandan Patriotic Front (RPF). Paul Kagame surely won’t take that kindly and might be the reason for three General arrested recently.

Therefore, the border dispute is getting ugly. As the possible acts of the Presidents are going hard. They are ordering their security organizations and spies all over. The CMI and ISO are surely working overtime, as there reports of new editorial line at Radio Simba FM, where they are coming with spiteful chants about Rwandans. This is surely in retaliation against what is happening.

Now, there is a jam, a long line of trucks, where about 130 are waiting in line waiting to able to cross into Rwanda from Uganda. This is sure sign of how the Rwandan are looking at Uganda. Also, the way the Ugandan are able to deal with Rwanda. As this has been going on for over 4 days, and the measures on the other side is getting more restricted and costly.

There are surely some paranoia both ways, as there are possible ways to diplomatically end this dispute. Where the ones losing is the citizens and businesses. The ones not losing is the ones in power and the elites. It is the bus-passengers and the exporters whose paying the initial price. The public are pawns in the giant chess-set of their masters. The Presidents are playing their game and the pawns are the ones taken out, one by one.

Right now, the Rwandan are exercising their sovereign state activity, they are allowed to close their borders and put tariffs on imports. However, its done as a retaliating measure and not through any notification. Neither, has there seemingly been a regard for the each others nationals behind bars. Which has been used as well as reasons for this. There been no talk about the possible rebel outfits or the sponsoring of such, as that that would be on shady back-stabbing ground.

We will not know how this is going, but surely the template is that it will go on. Until one of the President humiliate himself and actually asks to talk to the other. So, that the functions of the borders goes back to normal and that they can settle the differences that is there. They are both known for playing shadow murky games. This could be more of that, we don’t know at this point. Because, they are not transparent and open about this. Since, then we would see the dark-side of their reign. Peace.

Uganda Revenue Authority letter to Rwanda Revenue Authority: “Subject: Resolution of Congestion at Katuna Border Post” (02.03.2019)

South Sudan: Joint Statement on the Visit of H.E. President Isias Afworki of the State or Eritrea and H.E. Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia to the Republic of South Sudan Juba on 4th March 2019 (04.03.2019)

Uganda-Rwanda Tensions: It Escalated this Weekend

This weekend sparked with closure or blocked border points on the Rwandan side, ensuring that the trucks with goods from Uganda was blocked from entering Rwandan territory. This has been happening since 1st March 2019. They have deliberately made it harder for business and export to happen from one to the other. Because of this.

The Rwanda Revenue Authority has claimed it is for building a One Stop Border Point and wanting the Ugandan Nationals and Businessmen to move their vehicles to other borders points, instead of Gatuna Border Points. This is happening, while state officials on both is escalating the crisis between them.

The Rwandan Minister for Foreign Affairs and Government Spokesman Dr. Richard Sezibera been saying: “We have advised Rwandans not to go to Uganda because we cannot guarantee their security in Uganda” (James Munyaneza & Collins Mwai – ‘Rwanda warns citizens against travel to Uganda’ 02.03.2019, The New Times – Rwanda).

While Executive Director of Uganda Media Centre Ofwono Opondo stated this yesterday: “All vehicles coming from Rwanda enter well into Uganda but it’s the opposite on the Rwandan side. Rwandese aren’t being allowed to travel and enter Uganda but Ugandan nationals are. What is being stopped are only vehicles because of the blockage” (Uganda Media Centre, 01.03.2019).

Therefore, the Ugandan is indirectly saying that Rwandan are being blocked. While the Rwandan is already warning about them travelling and entering into Uganda. To top it off. Because right now, Rwanda is blocking and denying trucks and goods from Uganda. While Uganda is blocking Rwandan nationals, therefore, the the border squat has escalated with this.

It cannot just be fixing the infrastructure at the Gatuna Border Point. Now, it is something more underneath. As there are alleged arrests, detaining and torture of Rwandan nationals in Uganda. While Rwandan rebels in Democratic Republic of Congo are supported by Museveni, who fights against the Kigali regime of Kagame. That is why there are a lot of speculations and also stirring waters. It is rising into a storm in a water glass.

What we have is to Presidents who are involved in shady business and exports from the Democratic Republic of Congo. Of vast minerals and usage of rebel outfits to be able to do so. As they are earning fortunes on the misfortunes of the Congolese people there. They are sponsoring, training and also weaponizing the conflict there. This is done from Kigali and Kampala and been going on for over two decades. The gentlemen in power knows this, and they are trying to have spies on each to configure who can come on top. However, its now and then it backfires. The intimidation and the plans get disconnected, as the DRC and the other party are able to capture the rebels. Just like what happen with the RNC and FDLR agents visiting Uganda before Christmas 2018 and extradited to Kigali recently.

Therefore, this isn’t about the border point or the Rwandan nationals crossing into Uganda. This isn’t about a blockage of goods and trucks from Uganda. No, this is about political games and also power. This is about two men, two Presidents who wants it all and grab it. Want to outsmart and also lurk in the shadows without getting caught. It is two President that are trying to salvage something, but only loosing out. As both parties are losing valuable time and assets, while playing hide- and seek like this.

President Museveni and President Kagame needs to talk and settle their grievances, before it gets out of hand. These are weapon-brothers who has built their careers together and also went into ventures together elsewhere. Therefore, these two should be able to talk. Instead of letting their citizens and their population suffer, because they have fallen out. That is how it is seems and that is not showing leadership, but greed and lack of diplomatic efforts to settle; whatever these two needs to settle. Peace.

South Sudan: NAS letter to Coly Seck, the President of Human Rights Council (01.03.2019)

South Sudan: IGAD letter to NAS – Gen. Thomas Cirillo Swaka – “Re: Invitation to a meeting in Addis Ababa” (01.03.2019)

South Sudan: Pastoral Message from the South Sudan Catholic Bishops’ Meeting Juba, 26th-28th February 2019 (28.02.2019)

Opinion: Kagame and Museveni needs a sit-down!

There are two individuals for various of reasons needs to have a sit-down, a mediation and reconciliation, because these two Presidents are creating havoc, initiating trouble in the region and causing harm to own citizens and abroad.

These two lucky losers, sorry luck bastards, sorry lucky Executives, Heads of State, President Paul Kagame of Rwanda and President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni. What is worse about these two, are that they are both weapon brothers and worked for each other. They have both conspired and continues to conspire with ill activity in the Democratic Republic of Congo. They are both involved in similar trade of blood-minerals from the resource rich regions of North and South Kivu. Therefore, if someone should talk, these two should sit down and iron out the difference.

Instead, who knows how involved and initiating the Ugandan president has been in the rise of Power in Burundi, how much he has involved his army in Securing the Presidency of Pierre Nkurunziza, because in 2015, it was the UPDF that saved him and flied him, now the Burundian are creating havoc and misery with their stances on Rwanda. When, who knows who does the most damage or does the ill deeds.

However, this is more about the erratic attitude of Museveni and Kagame. Who both know each other well, who has worked close and used each other. They have served side by side, they have supported each other and also given way. Therefore, in today’s relations, that should matter and used to ensure peaceful ways between them.

Instead, we are in the midst of alleged crimes against each other, where the Ugandan are supporting rebel factions in the DRC, whose sole mission is to topple Kagame, while Kagame has gotten leaders and coordinators of these rebels extradited from the DRC. There are plenty of speculations of 20 Rwandan nationals lingering in jail, under investigation of the CMI and ISO in Uganda. There are also the same on the other side in Rwanda. Therefore, who knows at this point, what is up or down?

What we do know, is that these weapon-brothers has used arms to get their will and their loot in the past. They have both spent massive parts of their career earning fortunes on the military operations and gotten massive power by doing so. Both of them know the stakes and the opportunities that arise from that. In their own republics and in the region. They are familiar with that scene and never ceased to used to means for their advantage. Therefore, these two needs to sit and talk.

They need an outsider with swagger and trust between both of them, a friendly fellow of both, who doesn’t have an agenda either way. A person who can expose and entertain their needs at the same time, but also make them cease with their ill-activity behind the scenes against each other. To try to configure ways to build a bridge and connect them. So, that they will not try to find a new pathway to destruction. Which both of these lads knows to well.

Therefore, someone has to initiate a negotiation, a peace-talk and a way to make them settle their difference, whatever that might be, even ensure that they doesn’t spiral out of hand and the tensions turns bloody. That they are not initiating more hurt outside of their territories, because of their egos. In that regard, it has been more than enough of that.

They really need to kiss, make-up and be able to act as neighbours, they need to be friendly and cordial, even if it means humiliating own self for the other party. Because, now, it is just troubling news, more minor assaults on each other on the border, on the airways and elsewhere. The trickle effect will just make it harder to come back to the table and talk. Peace.