International Criminal Court (ICC): Defence Team for Dominic Ongwen (16.12.2022)

United Nations (UN): Statement by Alice Wairimu Nderitu, Under-Secretary-General and Special Adviser of the Secretary-General on the Prevention of Genocide, on the opening of the trial of Félicien Kabuga before the International Residual Mechanism for Criminal Tribunals (29.09.2022)

Opinion: Bolton’s admission of guilt

“I disagree with that. As somebody who has helped plan coup d’états, not here, but, you know, other places, it takes a lot of work” – John Bolton on CNN (12.07.2022).

Yesterday, not a shocker, but an open revelation, which the world has known for years. That the United States of America imperialism has resulted in installing puppets overseas. This is well known chapter in the legacy of the USA and the Washington Doctrine. They have used their military power, intelligence and means to an end. In such a manner, that they have forced out elected leaders and installed their own heads of state. The latest ones was the failed coup d’etat in Venezuela and the short-term presidency, which was in Bolivia. Therefore, this isn’t anything new, but a reality we live in.

Bolton himself worked not only as an Ambassador to the United Nations and as a Former National Security Advisor (NSA). No, before that since the Presidency of Ronald Reagan. This man has been a war-hawk and a man willing to enforce U.S. interest upon others. That’s been his end-game and it hasn’t really been a secret. That’s why Trump appointing him… is just a long line of Republican President using his “services”.

Bolton himself was the “18th Assistant Secretary of State for International Organization Affairs” in the years of 1989 to 1993. That was during the Presidency of George Bush. While his President George W. Bush appointed him too “3rd Under Secretary of State for Arms Control and International Security Affairs”. A role he had between 2001 – 2005. Why I am stating these things?

Well, in those years… there was some American interventions in other countries. Which with the revelation can be put on him and his associates in the State Department of the U.S. Government. Surely together with the Central Intelligence Authority (CIA) and other government entities, which could easily be involved in the matter. Therefore, Bolton is just saying what we all knew.

In 1989 the CIA had a counterinsurgency in the Philippines. They had a failed December coup d’etat in that year. Between 1989-1990 the U.S intervened with armed forces in Panama to overthrow government of President Noriega. In 1991, the CIA-backed military coup ousts President Jean-Bertrand Aristide in Haiti. That is only mentioning a few things which transpired while he had one term in office under President Bush (senior).

So, with the knowledge of these actions. Could the paperwork and the confidential documents of the State Department verify his involvement in any of these? If so, why is he still a free man? Since, his a war-criminal, which was allowed to overthrow sovereign and independent nations own government. That should be sanctioned and punitive action should used against him. This is only fair that a man like Bolton get to answer for the crimes he has committed. If that is in Panama, Haiti or anywhere else for that matter. Not mentioned earlier… if his responsible for troops sent to Liberia or ushering in a war in Iraq. He could be behind the first Gulf-war. Who knows, right?

But, Bolton is proud of intervening and being behind coups. He had years in office and should be held accountable for that. No one should walk away scot-free. When they have taken down heads of state and installed puppets. That’s just shows the “World Police” and their Imperial ambitions. As U.S. interests has been more valued, than the sovereign interests of the respective nations or their citizens.

Because, who is Bolton or anyone in the State Department right to decide who runs Panama or Liberia? Not their jurisdiction or within their borders, right? That’s for the people of Panama or Liberia. Heck, why did the U.S. try a coup in Philippines, just mere years after the People Power movement overthrow the Marcos the dictatorship? Well, you can figure that one out, right? U.S. has a hankering for U.S. sponsored dictators like Mobutu. So, they could always have another like that elsewhere. As long as it’s their dictator and that man plays to their “rules”.

Alas, Bolton is just that sort of man. People should provide evidence and seen him on trial in the Hague. When other warlords and militia’s with crimes against humanity is there. So, should the likes of Bolton. Bosco “the Terminator” isn’t the only man who deserves to get the book of international laws thrown at him. No, the likes of Bolton deserves that too.

This is a privilege of him speaking like this on CNN and face no consequences. He should answer and there should be filed cases against him. Bolton deserves that and so those anyone else who conspired together with him. That’s only fair and is just. The world needs that and American’s shouldn’t get off the hook either. Peace.

Al-Bashir: The Legends of the Secret Skulls

There is revelations now of 28 deceased army officers found in Omdurman from a foiled coup in 1990. This is evidence of extra judicial killings done by the state under President Omar Al-Bashir. A man who ruled with an iron-fist since 30^th June 1989 until 11^th April 2019. That is 30 years in power and he used military means to stay there.

It is not shocking that its extra judicial killings done during the Al-Bashir regime. He has the secret police against his enemies. Used militias like Janjaweed and Rapid Support Force (RSF) to kill three tribes in Darfur for years. Also other usage of the military to control the state.

From the years of government militia attacks in Darfur, Blue Nile State and South Kordofan. Where there been genocidal missions with estimated murder between 300,000 to 400,000 citizens. Also, up to 3 million internally displaced persons.

Who knows how many people have died during custody or was arbitrary arrested during the reign of Al-Bashir. There are surely plenty more unanswered cases during the 30 years of power. The President who used all means to stay in power. A man who was bloodthirsty, who used paramilitary groups and intelligence organizations to undermine the public.

Therefore, a mere 28 decomposing bodies of former army officials, who allegedly conspired to overthrow Al-Bashir in 1990. There might be plenty of more hidden skulls from the time that is unaccounted for and from events hidden from the public. We can only imagine what else is 6 feet under.

President Al-Bashir is not only wanted by the International Criminal Court (ICC) for genocide in Darfur. He is also charged with grand corruption and other charges. Now, only a prosecutor is charging him for the murder of these 28 former army officials.

A President who has killed for living. 28 army officials is nothing. For the families of the deceased its a matter of justice for them. However, all the ills and crimes against humanity during his day. We can just wonder if there are more secret skulls.

It is like a horrific movie, the Legends of Secret Skulls. Surely, the President knows what he has done and doesn’t want to accountability for his actions. Some of the acts have been revealed, but there is more to come.

However, we also know that plenty of his comrades are still in-charge and running vital parts the Sovereign Council in Sudan. They are not willing to trade it all, they will be implicated too. These people are not asking for that and will not be charged themselves.

That’s why there is likely more skulls we don’t know about, but was ordered dead during the reign of Al-Bashir. With time these stories will be revealed and it will be more than 28 bodies unaccounted for. Peace.

ICC: Lessons learned from the Kenyatta Case of 2011

The Internal Investigation of the botched International Criminal Court (ICC) case of the ‘Kenyatta Case – The Prosecutor v. Uhuru Muigai Kenyatta – FORMERLY – The Prosecutor v. Francis Kirimi Muthaura, Uhuru Muigai Kenyatta and Mohammed Hussein Ali, ICC-01/09-02/11’, which the investigation started in Kenya in October 2010 and failure to produce anything binding or to justify the charges against them. So the charges was dropped by 2013 and 2014. While the whole case was terminated by March 2015.

Now the ICC has suddenly dropped an statement into their internal investigation into why it ended like this. Even if they have the warning, of if any of the judges get new evidence on the case. They might re-open it. However, what this states is very serious and the acts done to interfere in the investigation. Says also a lot, also about the shortfall of the jurisdiction and help from the government of Kenya. Which isn’t weird, as the state was investigating the President and allies of him. They don’t want any issues with an foreign court. That is all natural in the scheme of things.

Just look here:

“The prosecutorial process in the Kenya cases, the experts found, was hampered by deadlines set by the first Prosecutor that were based on considerations other than what they considered to be sound prosecutorial practice. In their view, the effectiveness of the investigations and prosecutions was significantly undermined by a “decision over assessment” tactic respecting cases and a target-based – as opposed to evidence-based – approach to investigation and charging. This, coupled with other problems, meant that the prosecutions were burdened with weak cases, relying on one or only a small number of insider witnesses – whose evidence could not be independently verified by the OTP – to establish essential elements of the case” (ICC, 26.11.2019).

“The key point concerning the Government of Kenya was the OTP’s delay in seeking the assistance of the Trial Chamber to compel cooperation, resulting in part from the contradictory approaches advocated by JCCD and PD (that is, continue to try to persuade the authorities to cooperate versus applying to the Trial Chamber for a finding of non-cooperation against the Government, respectively). This lesson has been taken on board. The OTP also has a range of strategies to secure cooperation from States Parties and situation countries, and these are still evolving” (ICC, 26.11.2019).

“The investigations were further undermined by the decision to delay in-country investigations, which did not take place until after the CoC hearings. Unfortunately, after those hearings, investigating in Kenya became much more difficult: support for the ICC among Kenyans had been eroded by a concerted campaign of negative propaganda; OTP personnel were followed, putting them and anyone they contacted at risk; the witness interference orchestrated by the suspects/accused became even more pervasive; and the Government of Kenya (GoK) became even less willing to co-operate, if not actively interfering with OTP operations and witness security” (ICC, 26.11.2019).

“As noted above, the GoK did not support the OTP investigative activities, instead it either allowed interference with witnesses inside and outside of Kenya and with OTP activities in Kenya, including surveillance of OTP investigators, and/or may have been directly involved in such interference. It refused Requests for Assistance (RFAs) thereby hampering the OTP’s ability to access potential evidence, or imposed such conditions or access as to, in reality, make that access so cumbersome as to be unworkable” (ICC, 26.11.2019).

We can see the ICC started this out on the wrong premise and lost because of it. They couldn’t present well enough evidence, either because of the deadlines. Nor the way the small pockets of witnesses was silenced. This was done, as the ICC haven’t secured them or ensured their safety. This was a mismanaged approach by the ICC and the ones seeking justice on this case. The Kenyatta case was finally dropped, because the ICC and their partners hadn’t done their job, neitehr had the Government of Kenya done its either. Therefore, this one got stalled and the charges got dropped.

Like the charges against William Ruto, Joshua Arap Sang and Uhuru Kenyatta. This was done because out of the 10 witnesses supposed to be put forward, only 5 showed up. That means the prosecution and the material they could assess wasn’t substantial enough nor digging deep enough. The ICC didn’t do their work and the Kenyans was doing internal actions to ensure the ICC didn’t get a case to begin with. They silenced the witnesses and intimidated the ones who could have come forward to the ICC.

This should be a lesson for the ICC. That to quick deadlines, not enough work with the coordinated leadership of where they charging people and get the proper jurisdiction might be more important. As they couldn’t do their job, as the Kenyans was putting hampers in their way. Next time find out ways to secure the witnesses and the affidavits to collect evidence before they are afraid of testifying. Peace.

Opinion: DP Ruto is something else, but truthful his not!

“This is an occasion where we can speak to ourselves candidly without considering who is in government or opposition. The subject today is a new dawn for our country and what we should all do. We must rid our government and institutions of corruption. ‘ A New Dawn’ is a good subject for us all to engage in theft and corruption is bad in any language. From my mother tongue it is said… “ A thief may be intelligent but not more than the investigator” To our investigative agencies, you have our support as you help us deal with the challenge that we have. The 10 commandments say – Do not steal… Do not bear false testimony. The President and I were once victims of false testimony. It took hand of God and prayer for us to get out. We do not want any Kenyan to suffer such again. As we pursue this noble course, we must remember to inspire the hawker to own a kiosk and kiosk owner to own a shop and shop owner to own a mini market, and a boda boda rider to own a car” – Deputy President William Ruto on the National Prayer Breakfast on the 30^th May 2019.

DP Ruto is the career politician, the man who says whatever to walk scotch-free and get other people in trouble. His really bold and brazen, he knows what his been up too, but still acts like its nothing.

Ruto knows how his grown wealth, built an empire and owns several of estates. The DP haven’t got this out of goodwill of the state, but out of the shady backdoor deals and land-grabbing. This is well-known stuff, therefore, the DP knows his corrupt and his actions. Still, he speaks like his still the innocent broke preacher he was back-in-the-day.

The Hustler hasn’t hustled through the proper channels, his wealth has grown and deals done while in government have surged all his accounts, his estates, businesses and even corporations. That is the sort of man he is. Therefore, his pledge to work against corruption, means initially work against himself and all of his associates. All of which is preposterous.

Secondly, it wasn’t an act of god that stopped the ICC case against him and Kenyatta. That was well prepared work from your associates and officials in the Republic. As the Judge Eboe-Osuji “declared a mistrial in the case, because it cannot be discounted that the weaknesses in the Prosecution case might be explained by the demonstrated incidence of tainting of the trial process by way of witness interference and political meddling that was reasonably likely to intimidate witnesses” (ICC – ‘.Ruto and Sang case: ICC Trial Chamber V(A) terminates the case without prejudice to re-prosecution in future’ 05.04.2016).

If intimidating witnesses is answers from God, than the God, DP Ruto confesses to at night is totally different than mine. Surely, my God answers prayers too, but not with possible tainting legal process and using harsh methods against the ones who will testify against you. That is what was done in the ICC case and therefore dismissed. It wasn’t false testimony, it was making people afraid of even speaking out on the mischief being done.

That is why I am not accepting the words of DP Ruto. He tends to lie and bend the truth to his advantage. This is just a snippet of his speech at the National Prayer Breakfast earlier today. Surely, he said more things whose was disregarding the truth. Still, I focus on this, because. Unless, the Life-Style Audit hits home, unless the war on corruption takes down his fraudulent activities. It is hard to believe it is real. Peace.

My Letter to President Duterte: Do you got something to hide?

Oslo, 17^th March 2019

Dear Sir, His Excellency Rodrigo Roa Duterte, the President of the Republic of Philippines.

I am writing today to you and yours for a very simple reason. Not that I have the answers, but I am seeking those. Because I am worried about you and your administration. Since, the act of withdrawal from the Rome Statute and leave the International Criminal Court (ICC) came to affect today.

A quick brief about the ICC and the Rome Statute: “The primary mission of the International Criminal Court is to help put an end to impunity for the perpetrators of the most serious crimes of concern to the international community as a whole, and thus to contribute to the prevention of such crimes” (…) “On 17 July 1998, a conference of 160 States established the first treaty-based permanent international criminal court. The treaty adopted during that conference is known as the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court. Among other things, it sets out the crimes falling within the jurisdiction of the ICC, the rules of procedure and the mechanisms for States to cooperate with the ICC” (…) “ The mandate of the Court is to try individuals (rather than States), and to hold such persons accountable for the most serious crimes of concern to the international community as a whole, namely the crime of genocide, war crimes, crimes against humanity, and the crime of aggression, when the conditions for the exercise of the Court’s jurisdiction over the latter are fulfilled” (ICC – Understanding the International Criminal Court).

The reason for writing this is very clear as an outsider, a man who follows the Republic and sometimes worried about the state of affairs. I’m writing to you President Duterte, because this is a serious gamble. Your risking more than just some mere donations or bilateral loans, you are risking more than that.

Mister President, your actually taking yourself out of institution, whose prosecuting for international crimes and crimes against humanity. Which is a very specific court, not just any tribunal. Why I am asking, because your administration accepted the verdict of another international court, which ordered a verdict in your favour. That was the Permanent Court of Arbitration at The Hague on the 12^th July 2016 [The South China Sea Arbitration (The Republic of the Philippines v. The People’s Republic of China)]. Therefore, the administration your running has accepted this and didn’t question the sovereign of this nor the laws it used for the ruling of this court.

If you as President are saying the ICC shouldn’t have any grounds of investigation you, than the same Republic and the same administration accept the verdict of another international court either. That is just an easy assessment, Mr. President.

As we are seeing the Republic leaves the ICC, could there be another reason for leaving it? Are you afraid of cases built up against you? Would you be afraid if they really investigated or looked into the anti-drug war? Are you afraid of what you did as Mayor of Davao?

I just got to ask. Since there has to be something, a reason why you are afraid of the ICC. If you had nothing to hide, if you had nothing to look into or questionable activity. You wouldn’t have revoked the Rome Statute and run away from the International Law?

I am really questioning it, since the same state had no issues accepting one International Court, but leaving another one. Are you leaving the laws and statutes of the Permanent Court of Arbitration at the Hague too? That would have been a bit fair, especially if your a supreme sovereign and not wanting any interference. This is a weird argument using against one, but accepting the other one.

I just had to ask. I don’t anticipate any answers, but the Filipino should get to know. Just not some PR Stunt and sample of the Withdrawal of the Rome Statute. There should be released an legal argument released to the public to read and with justified explanation. If not, we can wonder, if the you as a President is afraid of the ICC and what they could find.

I hope you could answer to that and also show grace. Not that I expect any, but as an outsider. This is just weird. No one is running away from something unless, they got something to hide. That is just ordinary fashion in these manners.

Best Regards

Writer of Minbane

The EU is so forgetful: Forgetting the sentiment of Museveni concerning the ICC!

“ICC is a bunch of useless people” – President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni on the 12^th May 2016.

It is like certain leaders doesn’t learn from their behavior and attitude. At the same moment, they are forgetting the sentiment and what that been said in the past. A man or a President like Museveni has said anything between the moon and Lake Albert. However, the European Union doesn’t need to condemn this activity, they need to show force and show character. The statement made by them yesterday concerning the International Criminal Court (ICC) and the non-arrest of Sudanese President Al-Bashir. Instead of being released could have been scrapped. They should have known that he doesn’t care about the ICC.

First show the statement made by EU, before more statement of how Museveni feels about the legal international entity. Look!

“Based on the information we received, on 5-7 July President Omar Al-Bashir visited Djibouti and Uganda” (…) “The European Union and its Member States regret that Djibouti and Uganda, both States Parties to the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court (ICC), did not comply with their obligations under international law and as State Parties to the ICC and did not surrender President Al-Bashir to the Court.” (The European Council – ‘Declaration by the High Representative on behalf of the EU on President Al-Bashir’s visits to Djibouti and Uganda’ 09.07.2018).

Just as you seen the EU is regretting that the National Resistance Movement (NRM) and the President Museveni didn’t deliver President Al-Bashir after his visit in Entebbe for the Peace Summit for South Sudan there. The EU are clearly forgetful, because Museveni isn’t friendly to the ICC anymore.

At the Inauguration of Uhuru Kenyatta, the extract of the speech on the 9^th April 2013:

“Furthermore, I want to salute the Kenyan voters on one other issue – the rejection of the blackmail by the International Criminal Court (ICC) and those who seek to abuse this institution for their own agenda. I was one of those that supported the ICC because I abhor impunity. However, the usual opinionated and arrogant actors using their careless analysis have distorted the purpose of that institution. They are now using it to install leaders of their choice in Africa and eliminate the ones they do not like” (Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, 09.03.2013).

On the 52^nd Independence Day celebration speech at Kololo on the 10^th October 2014:

“For International Criminal Court to handle them as just legal matters, demonstrates their level of shallowness. My view is that, at the next summit, African countries should review their membership to the ICC treaty” (Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, 10.10.2014).

At Televised Presidential Candidate Debate on the 14^th February 2016, the President said this:

“A founding signatory of the Rome Statute, on ICC: Yes we should be out of the ICC. ICC is not serious. It is partisan. There are so many people who should have been tried if they were serious. The way to go is to have our own African Criminal Court. Trying to work with ICC was a mistake” (Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, 14.02.2016).

President Museveni have not liked the ICC in recent years. The President really despise the ICC now. He has not shown any concern or care for it. He call it a mistake and also that they are blackmailing the African Nations. That is why, the EU should have figured it out. If anyone is on the ICC list or wanted for arrest. It is not like Museveni will respect it, he hates the ICC and what it does. He has shown that.

The administrators and secretaries in Brussels should know this, they should have records, even remember that the Ambassadors of EU walked out on the inauguration ceremony in 2016. The statements from 2013 unto 2016 are alone telling the story. Certainly, he has the same sentiment in 2018. He is an old man, not a miracle worker.

President Museveni doesn’t give a fig about the ICC and what they say. Neither does he fear the EU, as they need him to keep the refugees from spawning to shores of Europe. So he can say what he like and not fear for retribution. The EU knows this and therefore, will not push Museveni to comply to the provisions of the ICC. He doesn’t have to fear it or respect it even. Al-Bashir is a friend of Museveni at this point. Peace.

OLUCOME: L’Agumentation Continuelle de la Dette Interieure au Burundi Sans Contrepartie au Niveau de la Production Nationale qui est en Phase de Recession (21.06.2018)

Burundi: CNARED-Giriteka – Communique (Rectificatif) – (15.06.2018)