Opinion: After today’s speech seems like Odinga is the unofficial PM!

We have a big workforce in our country and most of them are youthful and looking for jobs. This is why we in NASA are in agreement with Jubilee in matters of job creation, universal healthcare, poverty and food security”Raila Odinga (01.05.2018).

Today’s speech by the National Super Alliance leader Raila Odinga in Nakuru is unequivocal a sign of loyalty to Jubilee. This is happening now close to two months after the handshake with President Uhuru Kenyatta. What striking today, is his tokens, his resignation of fighting spirit and his direct vision within the government. That meaning, he is practically not an opposition figure, but a stooge inside the Jubilee. Just like the Thirdway Alliance did before the 26th October 2017. Therefore, the is no difference. Only that the words of Odinga matter a bit more than the words of Dr. Ekuru Aukot.

Because today, the National Resistance Movement of Kenya (NRMKe) was dissolved, the whole boycott of government sponsored products and companies, which has been connected to the direct government works. Companies that worked directly during the elections in 2017 and was partly responsible for the rigging and the electoral malpractice, which occurred. So now, its official done. But that has sort-of-died down months ago anyway. It was serious when first unleashed, but a month or two in, the reality wasn’t changing enough. The NASA knew this and their People’s Assemblies has also been dissolved. Before they we’re even built or even became official shadow organizations to the Local Government structures.

Odinga, is really the unofficial Prime Minister, the Republic is a mixed Republic and not a Presidential Republic. However, that is not officially yet, but his actions speaks like it. Especially, with his support of the Big 4 Agenda of Kenyatta. It is like a sign of loyalty to the causes of the Government. That isn’t a sign of an opposition leader. That seal is broken, therefore, Orengo should resign, the ODM shouldn’t be seen as the biggest opposition party, but a direct partner with Jubilee in a coalition. If Odinga supports and works for the agenda of Kenyatta, he is practically part of the Kenyatta paradigm. Even if he says otherwise. He still is, the words and actions shows it.

Odinga is practically the third on the food-chain. The third force in the Jubilee government, if he speaks like this. Odinga should be sworn-in again and get an official title. You can fool people once, maybe twice, but sorry brother, not the third time. Maybe Aukot should start the Fourthway Alliance to get some relevance, because the Third Way right now is Odinga. After Kenyatta and Ruto.

Its time to stop nonsense from this man, the time of opposition is over. Someone else is the real opposition. Someone else is fighting the indifference, the lack of governance and the deteriorating levels of poverty, that so many are feeling day-to-day. Therefore, they were willing to fight and join Odinga during 2017, because his message was different then of Jubilee. Now he sounds and acts like them. Its a betrayal of Canaan, but was already sealed with the handshake in March 2018.

So Kenyatta, do your thing, give the man his office and portifolio. He is your man now. Odinga will not fight you, he is tired and hungry. It is time you feed him and patch his hurt. Let him become PM again, because that is all he wants. Peace.

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Kenyatta’s SONA18 will be “the President will say”: So a rewind like usual then?

I have a feeling that the State of the Union, will be rewind of the speeches of late from President Uhuru Kenyatta. He is running a long series of the same speeches, but with blends of specials. I am sure he has an extra number for the joint siting in Parliament on 2nd May. However, if he wouldn’t be have a sitting, I think it would be empty chairs and lack of public support for it. Just like on the 54th Jamhuri Day. Why do, I say this today, well, that because of the lack-of-professional ability Presidential Spokesperson. He really, writes it so mediocre. So if anyone was looking forward. They shouldn’t, just take a look!

On Wednesday, the 2nd of May, the President will deliver the first State of the Nation address of his second and last term as President. This address — to the joint sitting of Parliament — is in terms of measures the President has taken and the progress achieved in the realisation of national values; progress made in fulfilling Kenya’s international obligation; and the state of our nation’s security. A number of journalists have been asking what the President will say, but clearly we all have to wait to hear what the President will say. What we can say, though, is that the Constitution requires him to address the nation, through an appearance in Parliament, to speak to the three issues I have raised, and to share his views on the long-term shaping and reimagining of our country” (Manoah Esipisu – ‘Spokesperson’s Briefing, State House, 29 April 2018’, 29.04.2018).

You know there isn’t anything left to chance in a way. MBS Esipisu tries to make it interesting and surprising. But, the words he will speak of is what Kenyatta has spoken about again, and again. Not like these is new topics, neither has been spitting fire while saying them. Like Esipisu thinking reporters are awaiting in their chair “to wait to hear what the President will say”. Because this President will speak about his agenda, stop politicking and that the importance is development in all fields. Even I know that, if there is potholes and corruption fight, that is the double-featured bonus. If he mentions Eurobonds and added debts, that would be interesting to defend the rising debts. But that would humiliate the elite, the cronies and himself. So, he will not do that, unless, he will lie about the reasons for the sky-rocketing debt within his two-terms.

Kenyatta talking about re-imagining the Republic, that will be with roads into oblivion, SGR that is profitable, huge oil-profits from Turkana, boom in Sugar Industry and fair prices of the State Owned Enterprises with the Energy Industry. Well, if UNGA will prices will sky-rocket again, not be surprised, if the imports has to appear, because the cartels control this Presidency. All of these things could change, but with this party and dynasty, it is not in their interests to do so. Because they are eating on the common-mans ply. Its like they dire situations can just go-on, the lack of transparency and the issues that are there.

Outtake from the President after the handshake with Odinga:

So we have a responsibility as leaders to be able to come together to discuss these issues and to find solutions. Solutions that will bind our people together; that will unify our country, and that will give us a life cycle that is beyond the five years that we have established for ourselves. Elections come and go but Kenya remains; so as we plan ourselves for the future, our future cannot be dictated by the forthcoming elections. Our future must be dictated by the prosperity, stability of our nation and the well-being of our people” (Uhuru Kenyatta – ‘President Kenyatta’s speech after meeting with Raila Odinga’ 09.03.2018).

Outtake from the President like on the 5th Devolution Conference:

Thirdly, we must aspire towards strategic alignment of our national development goals. While every county government has its own agenda, it is necessary to align that agenda with the national blue print, that is, Vision 2030. When I conceptualized the Big Four, I did so in appreciation of the fact that for us to accelerate the achievement of our Vision 2030 aspiration, we would need to take a new approach to our medium-term planning, and focus to those issues that would have the greatest impact on the well-being of our people” (…) “We can begin by getting clear on what the plan entails. The first priority of the “Big Four” is to grow our manufacturing sector and to raise its contribution to the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) from 9 per cent to 15 per cent” (Uhuru Kenyatta – ‘President Kenyatta speech to the 5th devolution conference in Kakamega’ 24.04.2018, Business Daily Afrika).

So, if we see this, it would following the paradigm of his leadership. Following the same message, but just repackage it a little bit. What we do know, which is a funny way of putting it, isthe President will say, but clearly we all have to wait to hear what the President will say” (Esipisu, 2018). That must be the funnies part of paragraph, any spokesperson will write. The President will say, what the President will say. That is exceptionally and brave writing. It gives us an insight to the inner-works and surely the guy giving head-up are saying to the President. You know the drill, follow the format, the Big Four Agenda and fight Corruption. You will do it perfectly, Peace.

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Opinion: Mismatch of reports concerning the Ethiopian Economy!

Even as the stark contrasting reports are appearing, the reality must hit the fan. You can’t have your cake and eat it too. For me its a hard time reading about the rising economy, when certain other familiar set-backs are reported. Its like you cannot have rainy-season and dry-season at the same time. You cannot have a giant harvest or a drought from the same land. That just doesn’t happen. If this was different republic’s, different nations and different rulers. Then it would be possible different results. But when were discussing the narrow place. It just doesn’t make sense.

First I will cover that good news, that got Ethiopia on CNN, than after that I will take a report coming from the local ESAT, Tesfanews & AfricaNews. These are striking differences to the narrative coming from CNN. Which doesn’t make sense to me.

CNN says:

Ethiopia’s economy is predicted to grow by 8.5% this year. The figures signal continued economic expansion following a long period of impressive growth. In the last decade, Ethiopia has averaged around 10% economic growth, according to the IMF” (Giles, 2018). This gives a favorable outlook with a fantastic economic growth. If that was true. Why does this other report says otherwise.

ESAT Says:

Dwindling imports of wheat has resulted in scarcity of bread in the capital Addis Ababa and the price of a loaf of the staple has doubled. Authorities say the crisis was a result of the foreign currency crunch facing the country. Long lines at bakeries in the capital is a regular scene and owners of the bakeries told local media that they only get half of the wheat flour in quotas. The bakeries say if the crisis continues, they would be forced to close business” (…) “Plans to import 200,000 metric tons of wheat this year have failed due to foreign currency shortages sparking the bread crisis” (De Birhaner, 2018)

TesfaNews says:

The situation has exasperated to the point where factories have been forced to operate under capacity, crucial medicines are disappearing from pharmacies and many goods are not found on shelves of supermarkets. The amount of international reserve has dwindled. It only covers 1.8 months of imports by the end of the last fiscal year” (…) “It is fact that Ethiopia’s economy is troubled by a shortage of foreign currency and it is in a position where it cannot be calmed down by the sudden release of dollars. The economy needs a workable solution. This requires looking into every line of the balance of payment account and coming up with strategies to improve them” (Abdulmena, 2018).

AfricaNews Says:

But those at the speech said Abiy did not outline plans to open up new sectors, a move which could also ease a shortage of foreign exchange. Instead, he said state spending on infrastructure, which has crowded out local companies, would continue. Abiy also told the business community that the foreign exchange shortage that has plagued the country will last for years and more cooperation with the private sector is essential to solve it” (AfricaNews, 2018).

Let’s be clear, this is my view of the situation. Because, the narrative of a rising economy, when fellow reports are that the are lines to bakeries for bread, lack of imports of medicine and factories. That cannot create a vast rise of economy as the IMF and CNN reported. That just don’t make sense. How can the economy grow, when public cannot spend their monies or get the needed imported food? That seems like a pointless.

That the lack of foreign exchange in the reserves, that hits the economy. Supermarkets loosing their goods, medicine from the shelves, bread out of bakeries, all of that should be of a failing economy. Not a rising tiger. The Ethiopian People’s Revolutionary Defence Force (EPRDF) and the Councils of Ministers has to rig the numbers to the international organizations. Because you cannot have lack of bread, medicine and goods, while also having a high-rising economy. If it was so, then depression of America in the 1920s was the grandest time of the Economy there. But that is just how I view things. Because I don’t have the numbers, but the reports doesn’t make sense.

Its hard to see… rising growth and prosperity, but if it was so, wouldn’t the people have more money to spend at the Supermarket. Not have less products to buy at the Supermarket. Wouldn’t there be more medicine and not less? Wouldn’t the bakeries have bread? Wouldn’t the state have the foreign exchange reserves to import the needed wheat? Then it would be believable. By all means, I want a prosperous Ethiopian Republic. However, the truth cannot be that now. Not during State of Emergency, not during the oppression of the Oromia and Amhara regions. Not during the oppressive behavior and silencing the people. The EPRDF and the TPLF are surely trying to ply the outside world. That is why the ESAT, TesfaNews and AfricaNews not hitting the stands. It is because your not listening to reality, but a narrative creating by the oppressive central government, that doesn’t listen, but only want people to obey. Peace.

Reference:

Giles, Chris – ‘Ethiopia is now Africa’s fastest growing economy’ (24.04.2018) link: https://edition.cnn.com/2018/04/24/africa/africa-largest-economy/index.html

De Birhaner – ‘The Foreign Currency Crunch Is Bad In Ethiopia That It Has Even Caused Bread Shortage in Addis’ (28.04.2018) link: http://debirhan.com/2018/04/foreign-currency-crunch-bad-ethiopia-even-caused-bread-shortage-addis/

Abdulmena Mohammed – ‘Forex Crunch: Ethiopia’s Immovable Object’ (27.04.2018) link: https://www.tesfanews.net/ethiopia-forex-crunch/

AfricaNews – ‘Ethiopia not ready for foreign investment in telecoms, banking: president’ (24.04.2018) link: http://www.africanews.com/2018/04/24/ethiopia-not-ready-for-foreign-investment-in-telecoms-banking-president/

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Visiting Ethiopia, UN human rights chief urges new Government to ‘keep positive momentum going’ (27.04.2018)

The United Nations human rights chief on Thursday expressed hope that Ethiopia continues its economic development in which human rights are respected and people can freely speak their minds about public policies.

NEW YORK, United States of America, April 27, 2018 – “We all want to see an Ethiopia with continuous economic development where all people benefit, and where people express their views on public policies, unafraid,” said UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Zeid Ra’ad Al Hussein at the end of his official visit to Ethiopia.

His visit followed the country’s recent transition of power from the Government led by Hailemariam Desalegn, who abruptly resigned as prime minister in March, to the new one led by Abiy Ahmed.

A country with one of the fastest-growing economies in world, Ethiopia has also been riven by human rights violations and oppression on protests by those demanding equality.

“Moments of transition are rarely ever smooth. Ethiopia has struggled with a heavy history, but it has the wisdom of a tolerant, vibrant, youthful population to harness,” said Mr. Zeid, encouraging the authorities to keep the positive momentum going and to keep translating the inspiring words in the Prime Minister’s inaugural address into action.

Mr. Zeid was referring to the Prime Minister’s recognition that there is a “need to address existing inequities that led to recent unrest,” that “democracy cannot be realised in the absence of rights – be it civil or economic rights” and that the “right of people to express opinions, rights of people to organise themselves and engage in effective dialogue and participate in the governance system is inherent in our humanity…not for any government to bestow…as it sees fit.”

The UN rights chief also welcomed the release of a large number of people, including bloggers, political opponents and others who had been detained in relation to their participation in protests and their criticism of the Government.

“There was tremendous hope, but also anxiety,” he said, citing the words of a former political detainee, who said: “we have repeatedly been victims of broken promises.”

During a visit to the Oromia region, Mr. Zeid met with the regional authorities and the traditional leaders, known as the Aba Gadas, who he said spoke about how they will continue to push for the truth to be told about what has happened over the past few years, including deaths during protests.

“They demanded investigations and accountability for excessive use of force by the authorities. They expressed their desire for justice and human rights for all Ethiopians and for their voices to be heard without fear of reprisal,” Mr. Zeid said.

On Wednesday, the UN Human Rights Office for East Africa and the Ethiopian Government signed an agreement to strengthen the Office’s ability to do human rights work in the country and the region.

The Office has already offered its assistance in revising the charities and societies proclamation, the anti-terrorism legislation and the mass media laws.

“In this 70th anniversary year of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, when too many leaders risk reversing hard-won human rights gains, we look to Ethiopia to continue to give cause for optimism and hope,” Mr. Zeid said.