RDC: UDPS – Communique de Presse du 15 Juin 2017 (15.06.2017)

RDC: Lucha – Information sur le lancement de la Campagne “Pouvoir ya People” a Kinshasa (09.06.2017)

RDC: Communique du Rassamblement (08.06.2017)

Joint NGO letter on Renewing the Mandate of the UN Special Rapporteur on the Situation of Human Rights in Eritrea (05.06.2017)

Geneva, 5 June 2017

RE: Renewing the mandate of the UN Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in Eritrea

Your Excellencies,

We, the undersigned civil society organisations, write to urge your delegation to co-sponsor a resolution renewing the mandate of the UN Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in Eritrea at the forthcoming 35th Session of the UN Human Rights Council. In view of the ongoing crimes under international law, including torture, enslavement and enforced disappearances, and violations of fundamental freedoms committed in Eritrea, the Special Rapporteur’s mandate remains an indispensable mechanism to advance the protection and promotion of human rights in Eritrea.

The mandate of the Special Rapporteur was established at the 20th UN Human Rights Council Session in 2012 to monitor the human rights situation in Eritrea. From June 2014-June 2016, the mandate was also represented on the Commission of Inquiry on Human Rights in Eritrea (CoI). The mandate of the Special Rapporteur was extended in July 2016 to follow-up on the recommendations of the CoI. It has been instrumental in monitoring the dire situation on the ground, highlighting on-going violations and the failure to implement the recommendations of the CoI and in providing a crucial platform to help amplify the voices and concerns of victims.

The findings of the CoI and UN Special Rapporteur reveal that the Eritrean authorities have continued to impose a broad range of unwarranted restrictions on fundamental human rights, precipitating mass migration, including of unaccompanied children. Despite commitments by the State to reduce national service to 18 months, indefinite national service and forced labor persist throughout the country. [1] Persons who attempt to avoid military conscription, take refuge abroad, practice an unsanctioned religion, or who criticise government officials continue to be arrested and imprisoned for lengthy periods. [2]

The absence of an independent judiciary means that victims of these human rights violations have no recourse to justice at home. As a result, in Eritrea impunity persists and those who have been subjected to enforced disappearances remain unaccounted for.

In light of these concerns, we respectfully request your delegation to co-sponsor a resolution during the 35th UN HRC session that renews the mandate of the UN Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in Eritrea, provides the mandate holder with all necessary support, and urges the Government of Eritrea to cooperate with the mandate holder including allowing unencumbered access to the country.

Sincerely,

Africa Monitors
Amnesty International
ARTICLE 19
Citizens for Democratic Rights in Eritrea
CIVICUS
Connection e.V
DefendDefenders (East and Horn of Africa Human Rights Defenders Project)
Eritrean Diaspora in East Africa
Eritrean Lowland League
Eritrean Law Society
Eritrea Focus
Eritrean Movement for Democracy and Human Rights
Eritreans for Human and Democratic Rights – UK
FIDH (International Federation for Human Rights)
Global Centre for the Responsibility to Protect
Human Rights Concern – Eritrea
Human Rights Watch
Information Forum For Eritrea
International Fellowship of Reconciliation
International Service for Human Rights
Network of Eritrean Women
PEN Eritrea
People for Peace in Africa
Release Eritrea
Reporters Without Borders
Stop Slavery in Eritrea Campaign
War Resisters International

RDC: UN Calls for an end to the Violence in the Kasai Provinces (02.06.2017)

RDC: Oliver Kamitatu rejoint officiellement l’equipe du candidat a l’election presidentenelle de RD Congo Moise Katumbi, en tant que porte-parole (31.05.2017)

Only in the DRC: President Kabila are now twice Registered for a Non-Existent Election!

Well, in the Democratic Republic of Congo, the one who is on his unofficial third term President. He is running the country on a new cabinet, but not on a new mandate. As per today, the Constitution isn’t allowing him to re-run. He was temporary before his first term for a few years. He was running the Republic without elections between 2001 and 2006. Than he finally got elected in 2006 and than again in 2011. He was supposed to have ended his term in 2016, but that train has passed it due-date by a few months already.

President Kabila is already 160 days overtime, he is 5 months and 9 days. That is well over the supposed time. That is not counting the days he was in-charge without an official election between 2001-2006. So he has a history of running the 3rd Republic without any mandate. That is what he does today!

So the first he registered for an election without himself at the helm was back on the wonderful day of 6th May 2016. It is easy to forget that Kabila did that on a computer looking smart and ready. Vigilant like always, the vagabond ruling Kinshasa and the provinces as well. Today on the 28th May 2017. He was doing the same maneuver. Registering himself for an election. This time without CENI having set any dates, any regulations or credentials needed for candidates. Therefore this exercise was more PR than real. Surely paid lobbyist Bob Dole and others, who are working to better the image in the United States can smile. Since this act will make it more sincere that President Kabila wants to honor the promises of the CENCO agreement of 31st December 2016. So twice now, Kabila has registered himself to something he doesn’t plan to do. Because if he does, that means he loses and someone else will run it.

This is something Kabila knows and the world already knew. If the know the DRC and its situation this wouldn’t be surprising. At this point Kabila acts like he own the Republic and the Republic owes him a big deal. Therefore, he cannot leave and has no plans of exiting the throne that he inherited from his father. It seems like the time and present moment, that the instability and insecurity is also facilitated by the government. To create problems and make it worse. This to be able to postpone the elections and keep his ruling fist. It does seem plausible that by all means he wants to stay in power. Therefore, he has even been seen in the city of Lubumbashi with tanks in recent year, to prove to Moise Katumbi and his supporters. That this place is also ruled by Kabila.

I have no faith that Kabila will honor any agreement that doesn’t extend his rule. Not because he deserves to stay as the President. But because he has shown no signs of giving the mantle to anyone else or put some ready for succession. No-one has even been groomed, only people been doomed for wishing to become Presidential Aspirants, therefore they have ended in exile in Belgium. The nation that took DRC and built massive mansions on their looted fortunes. This is ironic, but the truth. Certainly, Kabila will not back-down and give-up quickly. He has no plan to give in. Peace.

Opinion: Minister Kibuule misuse state funds as he flies to see in-laws!

You would think the misuse of government funds would have an end in the Republic of Uganda? But the misuse of State Reserves are endless. Especially by the Ministers and Members of Parliament, that really use every reason in the book to eat of the government plate. That Honorable Ronald Kibuule stepped out of line and used government transport without sanction is clear. That the Minister for Water using for a private visit a Police Helicopter is just disgusting. It proves how little the Minister thinks of the cost of his lifestyle and secondly how it may look. There are clear he just wants to sponge of the state and use the available resources to extend his luxury. If the Minister had use the monies from the suits from the President or even used the car provided by Parliament, than he still would seen as one living life within the means of his public office. But taking a helicopter to visit his in-laws are really showing disrespect to the rest of the citizens. Just take a look!

The State Water minister, Mr Ronald Kibuule, on Tuesday stirred residents of Ntungamo Town in southwestern Uganda when he swung by in a police helicopter to check on his father-in-law.

After the police Agusta AW109 Grandnew chopper landed at Ntungamo Sacred Heart Parish adjacent to the police station at about 4.30pm, curious onlookers crowded to catch a glimpse of the government official they mistook for the Inspector General of Police, Gen Kale Kayihura” (…) “But a few minutes later, minister Kibuule sauntered out of the helicopter with another man and five police guards and headed to his father-in-law John Tumuhimbise’s residence, a short distance from the police station.

We thought it was the IGP; some police officers even had to run [home] to dress up. But I think this is pure misuse of government resources; there is no police officer that can ask for this or even a motorcycle while going home, and it is given to him,” one police officer said on condition of anonymity to avoid possible reprimand” (Rumanzi & Kasasira, 2017).

This is a total disregard and disrespect of the people, the taxpayers and the donors. That the state are using and paying for private travels with police helicopter. This should have been taken care of with other means. The Police Helicopter should been used by the Police Force only and for the use in Police functions. Not used for a private trip for the State Minister of Water Kibuule. Kibuule should reimburse the costs of the trip back to the state and assure the citizens that he doesn’t misue the funds in this manner. This disgrace as a minister to use state transportation to for personal travels. As the MP’s and Minister’s are already getting massive salaries and allowances, plus cars and other benefits that the average Ugandan couldn’t afford. Therefore, this is just a proof of how the NRM regime and their cabinet members see themselves, as they can just use State Transportation when needed and without consideration of the spending in doing so. Peace.

Reference:

Rumanzi, Perez & Kasasira, Risdel – ‘Minister flies chopper to visit in-laws’ (25.05.2017) link: http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/Minister-chopper—inlaws-Ronald-Kibuule/688334-3940918-xxausg/index.html

RDC: Ituri – Declaration Politique – Non a la Balkanisation de la Republique du Congo a Partir de l’Invasion de la Province de l’Ituri par des Hutu-Rwandais (22.05.2017)

RDC: Declaration de l’UDCO Relative a la Decheance du Camarade Jean Claude Masangu Mulongo de sa Qualite d’Atorite Morale et President National de l’Union pour le Developpement du Congo en Sigle “UDCO” (20.05.2017)