The Battle for the Oil the Coast; the Continuation of the diplomatic squabble between Kenya and Tanzania!

Oil-pipeline

The tides are turning and the continuation of the matter on who gets the crude-oil pipeline through their countries from Hoima down the coast. The Ugandan delegates to Tanzania were treated as royalties as the delegation could bring tax-money and development for the Tanzanian government. While the Kenyan could take that away and they could see either their advantage or disadvantage towards the Port system of Tanga. That might be why CS Keter lost his passport and travel papers on Wednesday in Port of Tanga.

The only ones earning on this diplomatic matter is Ugandan, but the East African Community is creating a hostile environment between countries over a pipeline and the gaining the monies involved in the deal, the rates and construction of the pipeline.

Keter Citizen TV

What was said the day after the Passport and Travel Papers of CS Keter taken at Tanga Port:

“According to a source in the Presidency, Foreign Affairs Cabinet Secretary Amina Mohamed has tasked Kenya’s envoy to Tanzania Ali Chirau Mwakwere with getting to the bottom of the matter. “We want them to tell us what wrong they did as per the East African Protocol.” (…)“The two leaders agreed to meet after two weeks in Kampala to allow their technical officials to harmonise their presentations, focusing on: ensuring a least-cost option for a regional integrated pipeline, address constructability issues along all routes – existing and planned infrastructure, terrain and elevations. Assessing and confirming the current proven reserves which will have an impact on the size of the pipeline,” Keter and his Ugandan counterpart Irene Muloni jointly stated on March 21 following the State House meeting” (…)”It is in the process of assessing the, “viability of the Lamu, Mombasa and Tanga ports,” that Keter and the rest of his delegation encountered hostility”.

Manoah Esipisu

What is said today on the matter:

“State House Spokesman Manoah Esipisu told reporters in Nairobi that Tanzania was isolated deliberately because it had nothing to do with the issues on the agenda. “Monday meeting was bilateral. As you know we had also invited oil companies but they did not participate in the bilateral meeting,” he told journalists” (…)”Diplomatic sources said Kenya was planning to protest the apparent violation of the East African Community laws on free movement of people, even though Tanzania has argued it had no prior information the officials would be travelling to Tanga” (…)”As Mr Keter and his group were being barred from the Port, the Ugandan delegation led by Irene Muloni, the Energy Minister, were being shown a presentation on the advantages of routing the pipeline through Tanzania” (Mutambo, 2016).

tanga port

More on the matter today:

“A senior State House official who did not want to be named because the matter was being handled at the Foreign Affairs ministry said the incident was “unfortunate” and that Kenya would protest to the Tanzanian government through its high commissioner in Dar es salaam. “I can confirm to you that the matter will be handled through our Foreign Affairs ministry. The incident was embarrassing,” the official said. He said the Tanzanian government was aware of the planned trip, which was part of an assessment of the three ports of Lamu, Mombasa and Tanga to check the suitability of the ports for Ugandan petroleum” (Kajilwa & Ng’etich, 2016),

It is hard to know what this can lead to, at least the Tanzanian diplomatic sources saying it was embarrassing to them, and to get knowledge of the Port Police actions in the Port of Tanga. When the Tanzanian Government person inside their State House says so, then their suddenly was not maliciously intent towards the Kenyan officials and diplomatic team on their soil. Though it will put a strain to the matter, as the actions speaks louder than words and to what extent certain people goes towards the advisories.

The Kenyan are right to ask for a sincere apology and reasoning for the hold-up, the passport and travel documents from the CS Keter and his team, while letting Ugandan Energy Minister Muloni walk around like proud-cock at the Port of Tanga.

This here is proof of the matter and how the governments are handling the matter and approaching each other. The Tanzanian Government should issue an sincere apology and the Kenyan should comply in a peaceful manner, as that is what they have asked for. Since this a big deal for both countries, as I have described again, and would be a long-term economic development project that would benefit more sectors than just the oil. Therefore we can see the growing rift for getting through their country and down to their port. I hope that Tanzanian government have sense and the same from the CS Keter as he was the victim, and have already gotten leverage, but that does not mean it gives a free-pass to the minister of Kenya. This will be something that will continue, into the final agreement between Uganda and the picked destination and the contracts between the Oil-Companies who will be drilling the oil in Lake Albert and the Albertine Region. Peace.

Reference:

Burrows, Olive – ‘Kenya: Govt Protests to Tanzania Over Keter Passport Fiasco’ (24.03.2016) link: http://allafrica.com/stories/201603250043.html

Kajilwa, Graham & Ng’etich, Jacob – ‘Kenya protests to Tanzania over confiscation of Charles Keter’s passport’ (25.03.2016) link:http://www.standardmedia.co.ke/article/2000196026/kenya-protests-mistreatment-by-tanzania

Mutambo, Aggrey – ‘State explains why Tanzania was excluded from oil pipeline talks’ (25.03.2016) link: http://www.nation.co.ke/news/State-explains-why-Tanzania-was-excluded-from-oil-pipeline-talks/-/1056/3132806/-/52cqfg/-/index.html

The Battle for the Oil to the Coast; today the Tanzanian Gov. detains Kenyan Officials at the Port of Tanga

Oil-pipeline

This is like out of a spy-novel. A novel that clearly is full of twists and turns as agreements and officials move back-and-fourth. Here is the first statement on the matter that has moved further from talks between the Kenyan and Ugandan Officials. Here it is:

“Tanzania authorities confiscated the passports of top Kenyan officials, including Energy CS Charles Keter, and denied them access to the port of Tanga but allowed a Ugandan delegation to proceed with the tour unmolested. The trip was part of their mission to unlock a deadlock between Kenya and Uganda over whether a proposed oil pipeline to export Uganda’s oil would pass through Kenya or Tanzania” (The Kericho Renaissance Network, 2016).

As one wrote:

“The Kenyan team had travelled to Tanga together with a Ugandan delegation involved in the crude oil pipeline discussions. The Ugandans were received very well while the Kenyan team was mistreated by the Tanzanian authorities” (Pauline Njorge, 2016).

This here is certainly a reaction to the proposed deal that was supposed to already be set between the Ugandan and Tanzanian during the 2015. Here is all of sudden reactions from the Tanzanian over the sudden change of guards and that the Ugandan Government does not fully turn to them. As the Agreement of last October was to be done and soon resume building in between the nations.

hoima-e28093-lokichar-e28093-lamu-route

This here is certainly a blow on diplomatic matters and the distrust between Kenyan and Tanzanian diplomats, also the way “foreign” nationals seen as trespassing and henceforth detained, even prematurely and without “charge” is an insult between the Tanzanian Government and Police towards the Kenyan counterparts. It would been an insult if the Kenyan National Police was to detain a Tanzanian minister or official crossing over to Mombasa or any other port to look at the different scenario. Instead of honoring the fellow brother from another country in peaceful times; as the Kenyan and Tanzanian government does not have grudges or ill-feeling towards each other!

If this is the start of diplomatic struggles between Tanzania and Kenya, that might be true as this is visible attack on movement of foreign diplomatic officials and high-government officials, something the Police of Tanga Port have had to know since they released them quickly.  

 

Keter Citizen TV

But the economic implications of a crude-oil pipeline is big for any country, first the economic benefit of jobs as it was estimated in Tanzania to employ 100k during the year to build the pipeline, also the rates for transporting the oil to the sea will bring steady revenue, something Tanzania is not wanting to miss out, neither does Kenya who wants the same, and both Kenya and Tanzania wants to be the economic and the powerhouse of East Africa. The deal of the crude-oil pipeline can generate lots of income and be a gentle push for more steady revenue, as tourism and exports are not crystal clear and always giving steady cash to the countries, as the coffee and tea prices are going up-and-down.

The matters remain and is in the hand of the Ugandans, as they are trying to find the suitors who fit their price and timelines, so they can benefit the most and will use all the tools and diplomatic leverage to gain the best contract and facilitation and neither Tanzania or Kenya want to be the one left behind. Peace.

The President’s Black Book Chapter 3: Bemba and Museveni; what is the ties between the two big-men?

Jeune African Bembe Cover

It’s recently been a court ruling in the International Criminal Court where Jean-Pierre Bemba was sentenced and guilty of crimes against humanity. As this happen there been questions about his sponsors and his actions, was it for his own cause or was it for the greater good? As the violence he spread in Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) was during the wars in late 90s and beginning 2000s as the Rwandan and Ugandan ignited the wars the neighbor country, even sponsoring guerrillas, while fighting other forces there, as they we’re using different methods even when the world was telling the RPA and UPDF to leave, while the guerrillas would still cover areas of minerals close to the borders, to secure funding for the governments of the neighbor countries. They will by all means repute this as this shadows their reign, but the moneys and sudden export of minerals without sustainable investments and business-growth proves that there was sudden changes by the warfare in the DRC.

In this picture President Museveni did what he could to have allies inside the DRC, so he could have business and projects there to reach his power and make himself even stronger. That has been his game since day one; not only to get rid of the leaders around him who is not loyal towards him, but also to get people who he knows is loyal to him no matter what.

Jean-Pierre Bemba was a useful tool and an allied who even with brokered peace gave more influence of Uganda into the DRC politics, as he was stationed as Vice-President under President Laurent Kabila, while this wouldn’t last, as the Ugandan and Rwandan did not like the idea of being distanced from the State House in Kinshasa. So as the time and dwindling reactions, the neighbors went into attack again, that ousted the transitional government and took down a second president in the DRC! In that picture and time, comes the relationship between Bemba and Museveni, Especially after the human rights violations and victims of war, as the spoils of it cost honor and integrity, also the visible. Even if the relations between the men and their armies lost their value, the open sponsorship and even training at one point proves how Museveni used his power and reach to put his fortune into the leadership of Bemba and his MLC. Take a look at what I have found about this men!

jean-pierre-bemba-01-1024x655

About the MLC:

“Current Leader: Jean-Pierre Bemba

Based in Gbadolite, the MLC has been backed by Uganda since the start of the war in 1998 although there have been occasional differences between the two. The MLC tried twice to establish a foothold in Ituri: in 2001 Bemba had nominal control of the short-lived FPC coalition of Ugandan- backed rebel groups and in 2002 the MLC attacked Mambasa in western Ituri but were forced backed by the APC of Mbusa Nyamwisi. The MLC has occasionally fought alongside the UPC and has been a rival of Mbusa’s RCD-ML” (Human Rights Watch, 2003).

Bemba creating his army:

“In spring 1998, Bemba sought to motivate a group of Congolese exiles to join an armed struggle with support from Kampala. He elaborated a political program with a network of friends and former classmates and discussed financing and training with Museveni. By Bemba’s own account, he met Museveni while exporting fish to Belgium through Uganda in the early 1990s, though it is widely believed that Mobutu used Bemba’s aviation companies to transport goods for Jonas Savimbi, then leader of União Nacional para a Independência Total de Angola (UNITA), through Uganda throughout the 1980s. Another account claims that Bemba met Museveni through Museveni’s half-brother, General Salim Saleh, then chief of staff of the UPDF, while seeking to establish a link between ex-FAZ troops cantoned at the Kitona military base in southern DRC and UNITA forces in Angola. The MLC emphatically denies any involvement with the Angolan insurgency movement. But the firm belief, at least in Luanda, that Bemba, Uganda, and Rwanda had links to UNITA largely accounts for Angola’s switching sides in the Second Congo War to back Laurent Kabila and its strong antipathy toward Bemba to this day” (Carayannis, 2008).

Bemba in 1999:

“The main Goma faction of the rebel RCD on Monday welcomed Bemba’s signing of the accord. Its leader, Emile Ilunga, claimed Bemba was “not to be trusted”, but added: “We are gratified to learn that he has signed the accord as we had hoped he would. We have always wanted to sign the accord together with him”, Radio France Internationale reported” (…) “Ilunga, who was due to travel to Uganda on Monday evening for a meeting with Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni, earlier that day accused Uganda of not respecting the rebels’ decision-making process. “Wamba has no troops, and there is no point in his signing the ceasefire agreement … We’re astonished by Ugandan support of an individual, rather than working in the interest of the Congolese people,” AP news agency quoted Ilunga as saying”(IRIN, 1999).

“Jean-Pierre Bemba, a millionaire businessman and leader of the Congolese Liberation Movement (MLC), was accompanied to the signing in Lusaka by a senior aide of the Ugandan president, Yoweri Museveni, and by Tanzania’s foreign minister, Jakaya Kikwete, officials said” (…)”But Mr Bemba warned that he would go back to war if a rival rebel group did not sign a truce within a week” (…)“Referring to the Congolese Rally for Democracy (RCD), which has refused to sign the truce, he told Reuters: “If they do not sign within seven days, I will continue the fight to Kinshasa.” The RCD and Mr Bemba’s forces control 50% of Congo’s territory” (Gough, 1999). “Speaking to IPS by satellite-link, Bemba, who is also backed by Uganda, said it was too early to say whether the peace would hold, “but for the time things are very quiet, with no fighting near us” (Simpson, 1999).

kin16

Bemba in 2000:

“A few days ago, Jean-Pierre Bemba, the rebel leader in Equateur Province, issued a challenge to Mr. Kabila and major Western nations that pushed the accord with more vigor than any of those who signed it” (…)”‘We are at a turning point,” Mr. Bemba, a 38-year-old businessman-turned-rebel, said this week in Gbadolite, his headquarters. ”Is Lusaka alive still or not? That is the question.” (…)”It is not certain whether Mr. Bemba is capable militarily of closing the airport. Nor is it clear if his major sponsor, President Yoweri Museveni of Uganda, would give his approval given that Mr. Museveni’s own friends, the United States and many European nations, would probably hold him responsible for such a departure from the Lusaka accord” (Fisher, 2000).

Bemba in 2001:

“But Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni also reiterated his commitment to pulling his troops from neighboring Congo, saying now that they have defeated Ugandan rebels operating there, it was time for his forces to leave. The force Museveni claims to have defeated is the Allied Democratic Front, a small Ugandan rebel group that has attacked villages throughout western Uganda from bases in Congo” (…)”Some participants appeared unconcerned that Uganda was pulling out of the peace agreement, and were pleased that Museveni would still withdraw his troops. “If the government decides to withdraw its forces from the Congo, it’s always favorable. This is in line with the Lusaka agreement,” said Kamel Morjane, the U.N. special representative for Congo. “If all parties show their goodwill there is no risk.” (…)”Kikaya Bin Karubi, the Congolese information minister, welcomed the promised troop withdrawal and said his country would stick with the Lusaka peace agreement no matter what. The leader of the Ugandan-backed rebels, Congolese Liberation Front Chairman Jean-Pierre Bemba, said the decision would have little impact on the war since, he insisted, Ugandan troops had not been involved in the fighting. Uganda is estimated to have had at least 10,000 troops in Congo at the peak of the war” (Muleme, 2001).

alliances

UN Allegation:

“In 2001, when Bemba took the reins of the unified movement RCD/ML, now called the FLC, he tried in January to broker an agreement between the Hema and Lendu belligerants. He got more than 150 traditional chiefs to participate in this agreement (had the Ugandans acted unilaterally, they would never have managed to achieve this), thus securing a halt to military training and youth recruitment by the UPDF, a measure of security on the roads, food security for the livestock, and the appointment of a governor who was not from the region as a way of providing greater assurance to all the parties. In the end, though, it was Bemba’s dependence on the Ugandans that frustrated the entire peace process” (…)”On more than one occasion, Bemba tried to exert his influence over the Ugandan Government, but Uganda ultimately took the final decisions” (…)”In July 2001, thanks to the efforts of the Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni, the Mouvement de Libération du Congo and RDC/Bunia joined forces, taking with them Rober Lubala’s RCD/National and thus forming the Front de Libération du Congo (FLC)” (Garreton, 2009).

Bemba in 2002:

“Another former rebel movement backed by Uganda, the Rassemblement congolais pour la democratie-Kisangani-Mouvement de liberation (RCD-K-ML), was pessimistic about prospects for the success of the Kabila-Museveni accord” (…)“The DRC is faced with two Ugandas – that of Yoweri Museveni, who acts from a distance in Kampala, and that of his army officers and soldiers involved in the ongoing pillage of gold and diamonds in Ituri [region, northeastern DRC],” said Honore Kadima, in charge of RCD-K-ML external relations. “I don’t see either of these Ugandas adhering to even one comma of the Luanda accord.” (IRIN, 2002). “The mutiny marked the return to prominence of the commanders who had been behind the earlier CMF mutiny. Following their training in Kyankwanzi (for new recruits) and Jinja (for officers), most of them had been sent to Equateur Province to join the MLC’s armed wing. After some months of fighting for Bemba, the soldiers had grown increasingly frustrated. They knew that fellow Hema were still dying in Ituri’s inter-ethnic clashes, and they felt that the MLC used them ‘like dogs’” (Tamm, 2013).

Some more on the MLC:

“The MLC had been involved in Ituri during the short-lived agreement of the Front for the Liberation of Congo (FLC), a platform of the MLC, RCD-N and the RCD-ML, sponsored by Uganda under the leadership of Jean Pierre Bemba. But Nyamwisi refused to accept Bemba’s leadership in Ituri and his forces pushed Bemba and the MLC troops out of Beni and Bunia. In the last months of 2002, the MLC tried to fight its way back into Ituri with the support of Roger Lumbala’s RCD-N, claiming that Nyamwisi had violated the Lusaka Accord. In doing so, their combatants committed violations of international humanitarian law including the deliberate killing of civilians, numerous cases of rape, looting and some acts of cannibalism. Some of these violations may have been directed at the Nande ethnic group, targeted for their connection with Nyamwisi, himself a Nande” (Human Rights Watch, 2003).

ICC Court

ICJ Court case claims:

“The DRC claims to have seised an abandoned tank used in the Kitona attack. The Reply alleges the tank is Ugandan because it is the same mode1 as a tank used later by Congolese rebel leader Jean-Pierre Bemba, who allegedly received his tank from Uganda. (DRCR, para. 2.40.)” (…)”Clearly Bemba’s hesitations vis-à-vis the inter-Congolese negotiations and the disengagement are linked to his quick enrichment, the greed of his Ugandan offïcer godfathers and the politics of self-aggrandizement practiced by his opportunistic, wandering ministers who annoy the people.” (ICJ, 2002).

ICJ Ruling document says:

“For its part, Uganda acknowledges that it assisted the MLC during fighting between late September 1998 and July 1999, while insisting that its assistance to Mr. Bemba “was always limited and heavily conditioned”. Uganda has explained that it gave “just enough” military support to the MLC to help Uganda achieve its objectives of driving out the Sudanese and Chadian troops from the DRC, and of taking over the airfields between Gbadolite and the Ugandan border; Uganda asserts that it did not go beyond this” (ICJ, 2005).

Cooperation in DRC during the war claims:

“The cooperation of the allied MLC rebel force was secured by the pre-payment of taxes. A letter from MLC commander Jean-Pierre Bemba informed civil and military authorities that Victoria was authorised to do business in the towns of Isirio, Bunia, Bondo, Buta, Kisangani and Beni (Ugandan Judicial Commission, Final Report, op. cit., 21.3.4, p.119). This letter was counter-signed by Kazini who further instructed his commanders in the same towns to allow Victoria to conduct its business ‘uninterrupted by anybody.’ The exception was Kisangani town itself, administered by an RCD-Goma backed Governor, although the UPDF controlled areas to the north of the town. Kazini issued a veiled threat to the Governor to cooperate with Victoria and later conspired to appoint Adele Lotsove as Governor of the new Province of Ituri in order to take control of the mineral producing areas, including those previously administrated by Kisangani (ibid., 21.3.4, p.122). In his reply to the Panel, Kazini stated: ‘In some cases, as in the case of Madame Adele Lotsove, in Ituri Province, our duty was confined to supporting existing administration (the Panel report concedes that Madame Lotsove had been appointed by Mobutu and was continued in office by Kabila).’ (See Reaction No.47, written statement from Major General James Kazini to the Panel, reproduced in UN Panel, Addendum, 20 June 2003, op. cit.)” (RAID, 2004).

From the WikiLeaks:

“During a May 24 meeting with Vice President Azarias Ruberwa, the Ambassador asked Ruberwa about his trip to Kampala for the inauguration of Ugandan President Museveni,  and the reported long meeting between the two.  Speaking from memory, Ruberwa provided an extensive read-out, noting by way of preamble that Museveni is a “complicated” person, and often difficult to read” (…)”According to Ruberwa, Museveni flatly denied that  there is continuing Kampala support of Congolese militia  groups.  Ruberwa said that Museveni added that the last support Uganda had provided to armed groups in the Congo was that given to Jean-Pierre Bemba’s MLC, and to combatants associated with Mbusa Nyamwisi. Ruberwa observed that Mbusa was next to him in the same meeting, but did not respond to the Museveni comment” (…)”Ruberwa noted, for example, that if all the detained MRC leaders were found with weapons, all inside Ugandan territory, it seemed logical to assume these weapons would find their way to Ituri, in apparent contradiction to Museveni’s assertions that there are no further arms flows from Uganda to support Congolese armed groups. In any event, Ruberwa asserted it is good periodically to point out to Museveni that the Congolese are aware of what is going on. The Ambassador asked if Museveni did not know that already. Ruberwa said “maybe,” but it seems useful to make it clear. Ruberwa added he believes it important for Kinshasa to send a senior-level person to Kampala to have an exchange with Museveni perhaps every three months to help avoid a major clash between the two governments” (WikiLeaks, 2006).

214850-congo-democratic Bemba 2006

Hope this was insightful and gives an edge as the reports are steady and many. Not only a one place and one person who thinks that there is a specific connection between President Museveni and Jean-Pierre Bemba of the MLC! That is very clear and the ways it happen and the timing prove the value Bemba had for Museveni and his ambition in the DRC. The excuse was always internal guerrillas who moved to DRC like ADF-NALU and LRA, but we all know that more to bait and more to gain by taking mineral rich areas and create businesses and use ammunition to gain that. That is something that never been an issue for Museveni as his best tool is a weapon, not negotiations and agreements, they can break when he see he has the upper-hand and ability to score over his counterparts.

Something he surely will do again. Bemba might never surface with the MLC and the Party MLC in any election in the DRC. As the ICC gave him a verdict and court ruling which set precedence for his life.

I know that the Yellow Men of NRM, and the NRM-Regime will fight against this and say something else, as even Amama Mbabazi did at his time in the ICC to fight the case between Uganda and the DRC on the reasons for the aggression from them. The same might happen again and the viciousness and ruthlessness of the President is visible, as those who studies his history(not the one he has rewritten) but more the remarks and voices around him, you’ll see the temperament and attitude of bush-warfare that is instilled in him, and not the political person or even a statesman of a like which he seems to be. Peace.

Reference:

Carayannis, Tatiana – ‘Elections in the DRC – The Bemba Surprise’ (February 2008).

Fisher, Ian – ‘Congo’s War Triumphs Over Peace Accord’ (13.09.2000) link: http://www.nytimes.com/2000/09/18/world/congo-s-war-triumphs-over-peace-accord.html?pagewanted=all

Garreton, Roberto – ‘REPORT FOR THE INTERNATIONAL CRIMINAL COURT DOCUMENT ICC 01/04-01/06’ – MANDATE OF THE SPECIAL REPORT ON HUMAN RIGHTS IN ZAIRE (20.02.2009)

Gough, David – ‘Peace of the dead in Congo forests’ (02.08.1999) link: http://www.theguardian.com/world/1999/aug/02/6

Muleme, Geoffrey – ‘Uganda Withdraws From Congo Accord’ (30.03.2001) link: https://www.globalpolicy.org/component/content/article/181/33411.html

Human Rights Watch – ‘Democratic Republic of Congo – Volume 15. Number 11. (A)’ – “ITURI: “COVERED IN BLOOD” Ethnically Targeted Violence In Northeastern DR Congo” (July 2003)

IRIN – ‘Bemba signs Lusaka accord for MLC’ (03.08.1999) link: http://www.irinnews.org/news/1999/08/03/bemba-signs-lusaka-accord-mlc

IRIN – ‘DRC: Kabila and Museveni sign troop withdrawal protocol’ (09.09.2002) link: http://reliefweb.int/report/democratic-republic-congo/drc-kabila-and-museveni-sign-troop-withdrawal-protocol

International Court of Justice – ‘CASE CONCERNING ARMED ACTIVITIES ON THE TERRITORY OF THE CONGO – DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF THE CONGO

  1. UGANDA RE JOINDER SUBMITTED BY THE REPUBLIC OF UGANDA VOLUME 1’ (06.12.2002)

International Court of Justice – ‘CASE CONCERNING ARMED ACTIVITIES ON THE TERRITORY OF THE CONGO (DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF THE CONGO v. UGANDA) – 2005 19 December General List No. 116 (19.12.2005)

RAID – ‘Unanswered questions Companies, conflict and the Democratic Republic of Congo’ (May 2004)

Simpson, Chris – ‘POLITICS: Little To Suggest The Congolese Peace Accord Will Hold’ (06.09.1999) link: http://www.ipsnews.net/1999/09/politics-little-to-suggest-the-congolese-peace-accord-will-hold/

Tamm, Henning – ‘UPC in Ituri The external militarization of local politics in north-eastern Congo’ (2013)

 

WikiLeaks –‘RUBERWA ACCOUNT OF MAY MEETING WITH UGANDA PRESIDENT MUSEVENI’ (02.06.2006) link: https://wikileaks.org/plusd/cables/06KINSHASA876_a.html

Another day, another day of violating human rights of movement for everybody who is not Mzee; CP Enaga argues for continuing a “house-arrest” even if court rules against it!

Kasangati 22.03.2016 P2

Today again, after the Kasangati Magistrate Court decided over night to send the court petition to Criminal Division Kampala North. This here is another detail into the compiling case of criminal activity against the Presidential Candidate and the opposition leader of the Forum for Democratic Change (FDC). That has been over the edge and continuing disregard for justice for anybody else than Mzee and his elite click in the NRM. Just read his day’s quote!

Today’s message for CP Enaga:

“Even after court ruling, we’ll pull a few metres away from Besigye’s home, but we’ll not leave completely” (…)”Police stated they want Dr. Besigye to disown the defiance message he has been preaching before and after elections” (Issa, 2016).

This here proves the disregard for justice and lawfulness that are in the country as the Police and Army can do as they please and use any kind of excuses to not care for civility or justice for fellow countrymen. Even if the courts and by understanding of law justifies them to leave the home of Dr. Kizza Besigye, they will still monitor him and keep him under siege as he felon.

I find it ironic that they still have issues with the message of defying the government and state, while they are arresting the people’s president and the people who do not need security organizations to keep the things in order. The message he sends is conflicting as his breadwinner is under the flag of NRM, which is a Resistance Movement. Resistance is a stronger an profound stronger word in the sense; then the trouble that the Police Force has with the defying aspect and the Defiance. So they better get their minds right, or even their arguments straight. Because it is non-sense at this point; since the Police fear Kizza Besigye, for his legitimacy as leader compared to their breadwinner Mzee who in the shadows orders the arrangements together with the IGP Kayihura who follows orders from the top like a blind dog.

They will continue with road-blocks and secure the premises as he is kept on short leach and proves the little value as a security outfit the Police Force has, as they have to use militarized activities towards civilians. Peace.

The Battle for the Ugandan oil to the Coast; As the Tanzanian and the Kenyan suitors try to bait Mzee

Oil-pipeline

There is the time and day where the President Museveni walks into Tanzania speaks to the new President Magefuli and promise more money for sustainable pipeline through Tanzania down to the coast. Later in the month he travels to Nairobi and meet President Kenyatta, and promises to ship the oil in pipelines through Kenya down to the Coast.

As both Big-Men do their bidding and promises quality lines in safe pastures with clean operations and good relationship between the countries and their businesses. While Tanzania was first in this time around, the Kenyan counterparts would not be worse.

The Ugandan Government have gone back-and-fourth promised Kenyan government before and made plans fitting the Kenyan perspective, so early in March after the general Election, the President met with President Magufuli seemed to be a grand deal, as the Tanzanian said they could start with building as early as August 2016 if the Ugandan Gov. was ready for it.

Tanzania-Uganda-Pipeline_0

Now today it seemed as the Ugandan government have gone away from the Tanzanian agreement from early in month. As the Bunyoro oil fields will build pipelines from there down to Kenyan coast. A gentleman’s agreement between Uhuru and Yoweri, as they have worked together during election time, with funds and that President Museveni wants to give something back and show loyalty to the Kenyan President.

Tanzania and Uganda had even signed a framework agreement for the crude pipeline on the 12th of October in 2015. That seemed just to be a plan and not official document as the President of Uganda, seem now to be keen to repay his fellow mate in Kenya.

We never know is if this an reaction the EAC Inter-Burundian Dialogue of Peace between the Burundian stakeholders where President Museveni has lost his position as the opposition in Burundi claimed he was biased towards President Nkurunziza and wanted somebody else, as the African Union and EAC let former Tanzanian President Mpaka take the key role, as the mediation will be led by him, not the Ugandan President. That must sting a bit to man who wants to be the grand King of East Africa and overrule all estates and areas at all cost. That might be why they scrapped the agreement with Tanzania when it comes to the Pipeline.

hoima-e28093-lokichar-e28093-lamu-route

This here will be proof of who wants to be the cadre for the monies that Ugandan President could bring and how far they will go to eat from his hands. As the President plays the field on both home-grounds and hope to gain the most for himself for as little as possible, while serving loyalty to the ones he picks. The partly agreement that was written during last quarter of 2015 seems too premature, as the joint statement today assume that the Kenyan government takes the last straw. Especially with the knowledge of the funding of President Museveni campaign parts of those funds to his war-chest came from the mountains of Kenya and not from Tanzania.

Because a man like President Museveni is more about his own will than the best for the oil or the best for the companies involved, because he want to be sure that the decision is benefitting him and his loyal cadres. Not anybody else, therefore he plays with Tanzanian and Kenyan officials until he gets the best deal for him, even if that strands the already made agreement with Tanzania, as the Kenyan suitors want to make sure that he gets the sugar and the tea he needs to sign a joint deal with them, even keep the Migingo island, as the money from pipeline can bring wealth and create jobs in Kenya, more than a few fishes and stones in the middle of lake. Peace.   

Joint Statement at End of Meeting between their Excellencies President Uhuru Kenyatta and President Yoweri Museveni (21.03.2016)

Joint Statement 21.03.2016 Kenya Uganda

Office of the Coordinatior of the People’s Government Statement of Objectives and Directions (21.03.2016)

Uganda EC Wall

21st March, 2016

Fellow Ugandans,
Following Kiggundu’s fraudulent declaration of Museveni as winner of the 2016 Presidential elections, Uganda will never be the same again. The winner of the election was FDC’s Dr. Kizza Besigye. He is Uganda’s president elect. Museveni knows it too. That is why he has tried all he can to keep him under house arrest and to turn the streets into barracks, in order to intimidate the winners by creating a war like situation in some villages, towns and Kampala.

You have been asking “what next?”. You are right. Some of you think that the leadership is doing nothing about this situation. This is not correct. A lot is being done and the purpose of this communication is to let you know what is being done so that you can also find your own role to play in these developments. This is what is being done:

1. We are engaging our friends in neighboring countries of the East African Community, Africa in general, our friends in Europe, the United States, Asia and the Arab world to share with them the steps we are taking in protecting our victory and the presidency of Dr. Kizza Besigye, and to seek their support moral and diplomatic support. We have made good progress.

2. We are continuously assessing the capacity and deployment detail of Museveni’s security apparatus and working with our friends in the security establishment we have a sound idea of the capabilities on a half-day basis. We can confirm that Museveni’s security apparatus is in disarray, their morale is low, and units have been shuffled several times due to suspicion. You must have known that the Police and Army voted overwhelmingly for Dr. Besigye. The Special Forces Command which we had believed to be totally under Museveni’s control through his son Muhoozi, is no longer as homogeneously loyal. There is still some work to do there, especially since the SFC structure rests on Hima and Rwandan ethnicity. We know for a fact that there are already problems between the two groups.

3. We have also finalized mapping out the country into liberated zones where the bulk of the activities will be planned and piloted before rolling out countrywide. We have established control centers in all districts of Uganda. The responsibility of these centers is to develop the organizational infrastructure to service the new government headed by Dr. Besigye, which will be formally unveiled in May 2016 as the constitution stipulates. Arrangements for the swearing in of H.E. Col (rtd) Dr. Kizza Besigye have been finalized.

4. All efforts of our struggle at this stage are geared towards making it impossible for Museveni to fraudulently be sworn in as President in May. This we shall achieve, through your support and sacrifices.

5. We are finalizing negotiations with land lords in urban centers, market owners and managers not to collect rent from tenants for one month after we have established our authority. Landlords who will violate this one-month free accommodation agreement will be penalized accordingly. A one-month tax and licence holiday will be applied to Boda-Bodas, Taxi and Bus operators, traders and market vendors. We have completed negotiations with transporters to reciprocate by reducing transport fares for one month.

6. For university students, after we have established our authority,we will grant a fees-demand break for 30 days and a student who will have paid at least 50% of fees shall be allowed to sit for their examinations at any stage.

7. As incentive, once we have established our full authority, with your active participation, we shall reduce the cost of petrol, diesel and paraffin by 300 shillings a litre. This is also our way of appreciating the people of Uganda for the support they will have extended to the forces of change but also to compensate the losses that are going to be suffered in the coming days as we struggle, through peaceful means of civic nature, to establish the civilian authority led by Dr. Besigye.

8. Other such incentives are being considered for importers of essential commodities and other for other trades. We have also finalized negotiations with foodstuff and meat providers to reduce the prices for one month. For some of you are old enough to recall, (if you are not, ask who was old enough then); lowering of prices was done voluntarily in all sectors after the fall of Idi Amin in 1979 in the short period (68 days) of Yusuf Lule’s leadership which was rudely interrupted by the same forces that are tormenting Uganda today. So this is a practical revolutionary step we are undertaking.

9. Your responsibility is to be vigilant, cautious, and all the time active and united as forces of change. Be on the lookout for Museveni spies and zealous sympathizers who try to stand in our way and justly but decisively deal with them, on case by case basis.

10. In this difficult period, save all the money you can. Don’t be extravagant. Don’t frequent public places of entertainment unless it is absolutely necessary. Practice walking long distances on foot. Practice staying hungry even when you have some money to buy your lunch. Stock up on food and vital medicines that can last several weeks. Obtain a solar phone charger and affordable solar lights. As much as possible, don’t move at night unless it is absolutely necessary.

11. Don’t respond to invitation to meetings unless you have cross checked thoroughly and made sure that the invitation is genuine. Establish neighborhood security cells to protect yourselves from the so called crime preventers and other lawless regime functionaries. Don’t let anyone of you get arrested without a charge is spelled out by the arresting (police) officer. If any of you is arrested, inform the relevant persons immediately and ensure that if they have families, provide for their welfare, however small. Never abandon your colleagues in the struggle and their families.

12. This is the order you have been waiting for. You know the objective. Museveni must not swear in fraudulently in May, regardless of what the Supreme Court says. You know the time frame. You know who Uganda’s new president is. Your job is to make it happen. Methods will vary from place to place. This is not Besigye’s struggle. It is your own struggle. It is your vote that they tried to steal. You want your country back. You want a better life. You want to stop the corrupt and the arrogant from dominating you. You want to live in a democratic society that respects human rights. The ball is entirely in your court. Just do the right thing.

13. To protect our victory and to execute the mandate that was given to us by the people of Uganda, we are committed to pursuing peaceful alternatives. We sincerely hope that armed struggle won’t be necessary at this stage. However, should circumstances demand, we shall act decisively.

FOR GOD AND OUR COUNTRY

Kasangati Court petition of Dr. Kizza Besigye house-arrest continues – Final ruling set to be tomorrow!

Kasangati Court 21.03.2016

Today the legal-team of Dr. Kizza Besigye entered the Kasangati Magistrates court to continue the petition and filing of the case against the state and police house-arrest of his home in Kasangati, as it has been mid-February.

Witness comment on the matter today:

“Kasangati court has once again adjurned the ruling of the case in which Dr. KIZZA Besigye through his lawyer David Mpanga file a case against Inspector general of police and Regional police commader Kampala North to tommorrow ( tuesday) 10 am Kizza Besigye’s lawyers want court to order the with withdraw of police from Kizza Besigye’s home. This was after Prosy Katushabe the Kasangati court grade 1 magistrate over ruled the objection of state attoney calling for dismissal of the case. The magistrate gave Kizza Besigye’s lawyers to make their final submission by today 2pm. Hundreds of Besigye and FDC suppoters had thronged the the Kasangati court to witnessed the outcome of the court ruling”.

Besigye Legal Team 21.03.2016

Lukwago and legal team visit Besigye’s home:

“At Dr. Besigye’s residence with Hon. Latiff Ssebaggala, Hon Kassiano Wadri and counsel Shifrah Lukwago. The Kasangati Chief Magistrate has overruled the state objection to Dr. Besigye’s application challenging the continued incarceration at his home and ordered the matter to be heard on merit. The final ruling shall be delivered tomorrow at 10am. The struggle continues”

Also the car of Dr. Kizza Besigye has been returned after being under Police custody for three weeks, and as the Kizza Besigye and fellow friends look over the car, they found that the Police had made new finishes to the car and added spy-ware and tracking devices to the car. As the criminal and fugitive they act as he is, as the Government and the Police still have him under house-arrest, keeps arresting fellow opposition activist as they are supposed in the Supreme Court Petition of Amama Mbabazi these days.

So the struggle continues kigwa leero! Peace.

Kasangati Court has a “Volunteer-day” and stalls the verdict for Dr. Kizza Besigye House-Arrest!

Daudi Mpaka Kasangati Court 18.03.2016

Kasangati Magistrate Court yesterday Ajured the case, today they put a Pro Bono day. That means that the officials say they work for free this, in the UK a Pro Bono is a volunteer act for the public good. From Wikipedia: “A judge may occasionally determine that the loser should compensate a winning pro bono counsel”. That is a compensation of a losing case so that they get counsel, but the court of Kasangati called it Pro Bono Day, meaning that they don’t need to work the case, but giving the lawyers of FDC and Dr. Kizza Besigye compensation as Pro Bono, for the common good. Though it is literally one thing, stalling of time…

As the Legal-Dictonary.theFreeDictonary states:

pro bono: adj. short for pro bono publico, Latin “for the public good,” legal work performed by lawyers without pay to help people with legal problems and limited or no funds, or provide legal assistance to organizations involved in social causes such as the environmental, consumers, minorities, youth, battered women and education organizations and charities”.

So if the Kasangati court would do the public some good, they woudn’t do what they did today, with stalling the case another day. Here is from the official!

From the FDC:

“Disappointing..that officers of court should use technicalities to perpetuate abuse of individual’s rights. The police chief isn’t untouchable, can be sued. “ -Mr. Daudi Mpanga, Barrister for Dr. Besigye. Dr. Besigye’s case adjourned until Monday because it’s pro bono day”.

Kasangati 17.03.2016

From Erias Lukwago today:

“With the Court Of Appeal Justice, Remmy Kasule and Madam Ruth Ssebatindira at the Uganda Law Society probono day at the Railway Grounds this morning. It’s a day where members of the legal profession offer free legal counsel to the indegents and renew our commitment to uphold the values of eqity and social justice”.

So Yesterday the Kasangati Court said the government needed more time, today they have only volunteers and can’t address the case, a Pro Bono litteraly means, but the government has enough resources to keep the Police and Military Police around his house, his area and roadblocks from Kampala as we speak, and get everybody interviewed, filmed and recorded before entering the gates of Kasangati, as the House Arrest continues. That is acceptable in the state of Uganda, as President Museveni continues to linger in power and keeping innocent men in jail and house-arrest without charges or reason for the arrest. A continuation that has been steady since before Election Day on the 18th of February 2016 and seem to go on until the swearing-in at this point.

That being said as a reminder of the lawfulness of the Kasangati Court as they work with orders from above, not from following the law for preventative arrests or anything else, that specifies time for it and release of the prisoner, as they have never taken away that Colonial law as the Government of Uganda has the need for it, it seems. Peace.  

Darius Tweyambe released after 11 days at Kireka and after the release he visited Kizza Besigye!

Darius Released

Finally released, though 11 days without “charge” for carrying Candidates Declaration Results forms that says the Polls and votes from Poll Stations in the area. That Darius Tweyambe, the FDC Official in Rukungiri was detained for collection DR Forms, not inciting crime! That is what the Police Force in Uganda are doing and getting away with! Nobody is saying anything or addressing the matter.