South Sudan: Humanitarian Coordinator calls for an end to attacks against civilians and aid workers on World Humanitarian Day (20.08.2018)

IGAD: Joint Communique to the People of South Sudan on ceasefire of Khartoum Round of Talks, 19th August 2018, Khartoum (19.08.2018)

South Sudan United Front – “Re: Statement on Felacitation on the Troika’s Recent Joint Release” (13.08.2018)

Mwenda’s recent Illusions of the ‘FDC versus NRM’ doesn’t make sense!

There are certain members of the media atmosphere, that is so deluded and so paid-off by the National Resistance Movement, that their vision is blurred. If someone would believe that this fellow was drinking or even lack of memory, than people would have believed that, since his reasoning is so far fetched and forged together. So, that the elitism and the favorable view is so in the open. That no matter what the Opposition would do. It would be wrong, anyone standing in the way of the NRM. They are vicious people and vindictive to be supporting the cause of toppling the dictatorship. However, that is the vision of Andrew Mwenda, the Independent Magazine owner and writer. The man whose lost his way, today. I will take extract of his two recent rants on the Forum for Democratic Change (FDC). I just have to scrutinize them, as they deserve.

First on disintegration of the FDC:

Besigye himself did not start out as a radical extremist. However he adopted this position in order to keep the loyalty of his base. These radical extremists believe in a politics of blackmail, insults, lies and intimidation to get their way. They represent a worse alternative to President Yoweri Museveni’s politics of corruption and patronage. For all his faults, Museveni represents a more enlightened politics than Besigye and his extremists. He is to some degree liberal democratic – to a good extent – he has some tolerance of and respect for free speech and other liberal democratic values. But the radical extremists are fascists” (Mwenda, 2018).

This little extract shows how narrow-minded Mwenda has become, if that is in his own high esteem or his lack of vision. That he has to figure out a way to narrowly escape the perjury of his own mind. What we can see, is that no matter what Museveni does, it will be better than Besigye. Even if Museveni has all powers and made a crappy patronage system, that will be better than the FDC and Besigye ever will be. Even if no one has ever tried or succeeded in doing so. Therefore, just by this mere impasse, his reasoning are falling flat.

Secondly, how can liberal democratic values turn into fascists? Where in his right mind does this work out? It is just like reading political voodoo again. The mismatch of political in a petri-dish and use of tools to create an imaginary Nessie in the midst of Lake Albert. Because that is what Mwenda here does. If your members and supporters of Besigye, your fascists, by his reckoning, which is in itself a disgrace. As the Besigye supporters aren’t violent brown-shirt or ethnic cleansing individuals, even the P10 in diaspora isn’t supporting an armed struggle against the Museveni. So where in the mind of Mwenda makes these ideas. He surely need therapy or more schooling, because this doesn’t make sense.

FDC’s radical extremism:

Here has been the tragedy of the struggle for democracy in Africa. Claims by any group opposed to a dictatorial government to be fighting for democracy are taken on face value. Its internal operations and the behaviour of its leaders and members are rarely questioned. And in many cases these groups have captured power and produced governments that are worse than those they overthrew. The lesson for Uganda is simple but fundamental: denouncing Museveni’s dictatorial tendencies is not enough to make a political movement liberal-democratic. Its modus operandi is more critical. FDC is the best positioned party to capture power from NRM. The radical extremists are its strongest faction in FDC. Hence a capture of power by FDC would be a victory for radical extremism and a danger to democracy in Uganda. Whatever the democratic deficits manifest inside NRM, Museveni individually and his party and government generally are fairly tolerant and liberal-minded. I built my career as a journalist exposing the rot in his government alongside its dictatorial tendencies. Yet throughout this period I frequently visited Museveni at State House and we argued over our differences. He would come to my radio show. He would telephone me to express disagreement over opinions or facts I had written. The same applies to NRM and UPDF leaders. They were regular guests on my radio show and my major sources of information” (Mwenda, 2018).

It is weird again that someone would be danger to democracy, while the other one are keeping a narrow hold of power in the State House. That is why someone whose been into power for 32 years are no problem for democracy, but the ones in opposition will cause havoc. That even without proof of it. This is just peddling lies and deception. That Mwenda says NRM are liberal and tolerant minded, why does everyone has to follow the guidance of Museveni and the ones who doesn’t get demoted.

If the NRM was so liberal and tolerant minded, why the NRM rebels get demoted? Why did the leadership throw out Mbabazi, Bukenya and others because of their ambitions? Mwenda, why doesn’t you mention that? While the FDC has had three Party Presidents by now since its inception since 2005, while the NRM since 1986 has had one in command from the State House. There has been lack of control from others.

So, therefore it is special, that ones ordering the army and police to be able to control power, have trouble with supporters of the opposition. This is just weird, that the NRM are okay with its mistakes, but the FDC will become fascists and extremists, but the armed military government of NRM are fine and dandy. If you don’t see flaws in that reasoning, than your right and Mwenda is off the chains.

We can clearly see the brilliant mind or the wacked head of Mwenda. His own head must be a battlefield, as the lack of reasoning and mental breakdown of the defense of Museveni is in the open. It is just like accepting the dictator and making the opposition criminal hoodlums. Not complaining about the ones ordering the killing, but saying the ones reporting the killings as the ill of society. That is what Mwenda is doing these days.

If you know, you know. Peace.

Reference:

Andrew M. Mwenda – ‘The likely defeat of FDC’s radical extremism’ (13.08.2018)

Andrew M. Mwenda – ‘The disintegration of FDC’ (11.08.2018)

Bank of Uganda: Monetary Policy Statement for August 2018 (13.08.2018)

Museveni talks peace in South Sudan, but trains snipers for them simultaneously!

As a guarantor to the agreement, it is my hope that this is the last pact we are signing and that the respective parties are serious and they don’t use the ceasefire as a tactical instrument of preparing for war” Yoweri Kaguta Museveni (06.08.2016, Khartoum).

We know with time that President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni has invested his army and sent battalions to help out the Sudan People’s Liberation Army (SPLA) of South Sudan Defence Force (SSDF). This has been done in the past and also close to present day. This is a longstanding friendship between President Salva Kiir Mayardit, who has used the help from Uganda, when in need. Museveni have helped the South Sudanese rebels all the way back to Dr. John Garang, therefore, his involvement in the conflict there is ancient.

So, yesterdays leak of more involvement as the ceasefire and peace agreement made last week. There is also indication of specialized training of soldiers. They are training a thousand in Warrap state, also training snipers in Buliisa. This is happening as the peace agreement is signed. Not a sign of peace, but using the cease-fire as a tactical instrument, just as Museveni warned, but he accept that his weapon-brother Kiir does that.

Uganda’s former intelligence operative, James Moises, known for exposing some Uganda’s secret dealings in South Sudan’s conflict says his country is now deeply involved in a covert sniper training project in South Sudan and Uganda, claiming the project is designed to withstand any future military confrontation with rebel forces in Juba. “There is peace being conducted in Sudan while Uganda is training at least 1300 SPLA snipers to wage a war when Riek Machar return to Juba,” James explains. “Museveni sent his military men to Warrap State. They are now training 1000 snipers there,” he asserted. The former Ugandan spy further claims that more than 300 South Sudan’s government soldiers are also being trained as snipers in Western Uganda district of Buliisa. “There are at least 300 South Sudanese soldiers being trained as snipers here in Uganda. These soldiers are being trained in Buliisa district.” James said” (South Sudan News Agency – ‘Uganda trains South Sudan snipers as peace continues in Khartoum’ 08.08.2018, link: http://southsudannewsagency.org/index.php/2018/08/08/uganda-trains-south-sudan-snipers-as-peace-continues-in-khartoum/).

I was skeptical of the agreement and the lasting effect, as these people are war-lords, rebels and people who runs to their guns. They don’t really negotiate or even try to forge relationship. There been positive signs, but this sorts of reports.

On May 28th 2017 I wrote this and I stand by it:

With the knowledge of the connection between Ugandan Army and the SPLA, Museveni is more important to keep Kiir as an ally, than generate a real peace. The National Dialogue is flawed and it doesn’t help that you have a partial motivated leader like Museveni helping out. It is not to give the mediation any credibility. Since the weapon-brother and the ammunition supplier of the SPLA would not be sincere in wishing peace. He has made sure that President Kiir could battle his enemies and had enough bullets to silence them” (Minbane – ‘[The Arms supplier to SPLA] President Museveni are involved in developing a work-plan for peace in South Sudan!’ 28.05.2017, link: https://minbane.wordpress.com/2017/05/28/httpwp-mep1xtjg-4of-2/).

Therefore, what I wrote back then, is as right today. President Museveni is not only supplying possibly weapons to the SPLA/SSDF, but also delivering training for snipers. This shows how partial he is.

If someone is Kiir’s weapons brother, than Museveni is the first in-line. He continues to speak of peace, but waging war in private. Peace.

South Sudan Opposition Alliance (SSOA) – Press Statement (06.08.2018)

Statement of the Chairperson of the African Union Commission on the Agreement on Outstanding issues of Governance in South Sudan (07.08.2018)

South Sudan: SPLM-IO – On the Signing of the Chapter I and II and Outstanding Issues of the Revitalized ARCISS in Khartoum (06.08.2018)

South Sudan: Will this Peace Agreement last?

A diplomat who says “yes” means “maybe”, a diplomat who says “maybe” means “no”, and a diplomat who says “no” is no diplomat.” Charles Maurice de Talleyrand-Périgord

There been such a long road to this Peace Agreement in Khartoum today. Not like there haven’t been deals, drafts and negotiations, even postponed because the President Salva Kiir Mayardit found it more important to watch the World Cup in football. Therefore, this road to today wasn’t easy and the future will not easy either. Maybe, I am a bit of skeptical, but that is because the Opposition, the government and the rebel outfits haven’t been able to hold the latest agreements and cease-fires. There been lots of violations and continued skirmishes between the parties. Nevertheless, people are allowed to have hope. Because this civil-war need to stop, but wondering when and if this is the final agreement that fit all parties.

August 5, 2018 (KHARTOUM) – President Salva Kiir and key South Sudanese opposition leaders without exception have appended their signature on the agreements on governance on Sunday putting aside their concerns over the power-sharing and number of states. The South Sudan Opposition Alliance and the FDs surprisingly were among the signatories of the agreement on the outstanding issues on governance without reservations” (…) “In his speech at the signing ceremony, the Kenyan President Kenyatta praised the efforts done by President Omer al-Bashir to achieve the Comprehensive Peace Agreement in 2015 and now to facilitate and mediate talks to end the nearly five-year conflict in South Sudan. Further said he agreed with al-Bashir to keep the talks in Khartoum in order finalize the remaining issues which are mainly the implementation matrix of the peace agreement and the timetable for the return of the opposition leaders as well as the troops’ redeployment” (Sudan Tribune – ‘President Kiir, all opposition leaders sign governance agreement’ 05.08.2018).

What was really key in the agreement, is that the mechanisms and timetable for actually getting it in order, isn’t in this agreement. If this feels like the ARCISS of 17th August 2015, maybe because this gives everyone a slice of power and puts the levels of governance in. There is more hope. However, even as the Transitional Government of National Unity (TGoNU) was put into force and the SPLM/A-IO becoming parts of the Parliament and the Government, there was still people who willingly tried to get rid of them. Therefore, the levels of trust in that the SPLM/A-IG will act without interfering or trying to get rid of enemies. Is a hard bargain to believe in now.

The added South Sudan Opposition Alliance (SSOA) and Sudan People’s Liberation Movement – Former Detainees (SPLM-FDs), how they will play along with SPLM/A-IG and SPLM/A-IO wont be an easy treat. As the TGoNU will still be controlled by the President and have the majority. This is a President whose used of working and decreeing the orders. He will not be the man who humiliate himself.

I am not ready to celebrate this deal, as this deal is just securing a bloated government of many more public officials, more Members of Parliament and even more Cabinet Members. This is not the gift of peace, but making sure the rebels and government are getting along. That is something we have to see, as the pressers and the staged signings of agreements have been done dozens of times before, while when reality hits the republic. These people have quickly ordered their soldiers and armed personnel to attack each other. To get the upper-hand when the enemy is following the guidelines of the previous deals and agreements, even the newly minted cease-fire.

I will celebrate, when all the stakeholders are honoring the deals, when the CTSAMM and JMEC can report of violations in the coming days from either of the parties. That is why I am skeptical. Lets hope for difference this time, but if history has learned us anything. We people like to repeat ourselves and also go in circles, instead of moving forward. Peace.