Opinion: The Jubilee Party must be Love Drunk when they say: “The time for noise and politics is behind us, let us get back to work”!

We woke up in the kitchen

Saying, “How the hell did this shit happen?”

Oh, baby, drunk in love

We be all night, last thing I remember

Is our beautiful bodies grindin’ up in that club

Drunk in love” Beyonce (‘Drunk in Love’ from the album Beyonce, released on the 17.12.2013).

Let me set this straight, the Jubilee, the President Uhuru Kenyatta and Deputy President William Ruto have been professing the paradigm motto: “The time for noise and politics is behind us, let us get back to work”. They have trying to say it ever since the Fresh Presidential Elections 2017 was over. Clearly the Jubilee and regime is struggling with the aftermath of the election. The Kenyatta and Ruto government are trying to justify their existence. That is why they are using all methods to silence National Super Alliance (NASA). They are using all kind of tricks to make life hard for the opposition. We can just wonder when they strike Raila Odinga. It is just a matter of time before they do so.

Right now, the Jubilee are trying their best with the strategy of saying “time for politics is over”. That because the elections and the campaigns has winded down. However, they are a political party and a government. They are working day to day with politics and policies. They put out the messages of this sort, time and time again.

Calling the speeches, pledges and the campaigning noise, while saying the work in government is separated from the politics. That is where I beg to differ. All work in government, all work as a political party, involves politics. It is very simple reason behind it all and for why I say that. They are fishes in the water, they are trying to distance themselves from the water. If they jump out of the water, they will secure their death. A fish out of the water, is a bad idea. That is what the Jubilee is saying when, we work to leave politics!

If they we’re sincere, they would leave campaigning, but not politics. They would leave out rallies and PR exercises, however, they are using PR with this sort of messaging. That this hasn’t been more scrutinized is beyond me. Because it is basic instinct. It is basic, so basic as a kitchen usually contains some sort of food. The same is that politicians works with politics. The President, the Deputy President and the whole government will work with politics. That isn’t some sort of magic trick.

These people might act like gangster, cartel-bosses with their appointments and hires family and friends to higher positions. They are using the state reserves as private bank-accounts and misuse public funds. At a rate that is foolish, while their corrupt behavior is so common, the riches people isn’t businessmen, but the politicians.

It is just an insane narrative, that a politician are spelling out the need to stop politics. Its like judges and lawyers stopping working with laws. It would be like footballers stop playing football. It just doesn’t make sense, so if this is the Harris Media, Cambridge Analytica or the President Strategic Communication Unit (PSCU). Who knows who has made the Jubilee Party, make the President and Deputy speak like this. It makes them look love-drunk and foolish.

I think the Jubilee Party is drunk and in love with power, that is why they are forgetting what they are. They are waking up and not remembering their place and their visions. They are so lost in place of power. So they are forgetting it all and waking up in the kitchen…

Forgetting what happen last night and that they are involved in politics no matter what. Peace.

Kenya: Statement by the National Treasury on the Issuance of the Eurobond (22.02.2018)

Kenya: Ngatia & Associates letter to High Court of Kenya – “Re: Misc. Criminal Application No. 57 of 2018, Miguna Miguna – Vs- The Director of Public Prosecutions & 3 others” (20.02.2018)

Ethiopia: The New State of Emergency Directives -“It’s now more draconian and more aggressive towards dissidents!”

The Ethiopian People’s Revolutionary Democratic Front (EPRDF) and the Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF) are not moving softly, but swift. Just like in the past and previous State of Emergency, the TPLF junta, the TPLF controlled government plans to silence the Oromo and Amhara protest, even as they have finally released many of their leaders and known voices of oppression. This being all from Oromo leaders to bloggers and journalists. Who has lingered in jail for years, without proper charges or evidence of their crimes. Still, there are thousands of political prisoners who hasn’t been freed by the government.

So in Amhara, the last few days in Baha Dir and Gondar, the towns has been shutdown and the shops closed. Sitting home protest to the newly decreed State of Emergency, that was done by the Council of Ministers. Today the State Owned and Controlled Media House Fana put out an explanation of the new rules, they are specific and proves that they are not tolerating anymore demonstrations and political rallies, which is not sponsored by the TPLF junta in Addis Ababa.

“In his press briefing today, Secretariat of the Command Post and Minister of Defense, Siraj Fegessa, announced details of prohibited actions and measures to be taken against anyone if found violating the directives” (…) “It also prohibits obstructing transport services, carrying out attacks on infrastructures and development institutions, hampering activities of law enforcement bodies, and staging unauthorized demonstrations and meetings. It also forbids hindering teaching learning process at schools, strike at sport fields, violence inciting actions, hindering distributions of basic goods as well as obstructing cultural, public and religious festivals. It also forbids promoting political agendas. Possessing firearm at public areas or transferring firearms to third party as well as providing support to activities which affect the peace and wellbeing of the people are also prohibited by the State of Emergency. The decree also prohibits issuing statement on security matters without the permission of the Command Post, distributing erroneous and information which contradict with the law and the directives issued by the Command Post” (Fana BC, Amare Asrat – ‘Command Post issues details of State of Emergency’ 21.02.2018).

So again, the TPLF infused state are taking hold of the public sphere, as the soldiers and agazi squad is in the streets and on their posts. This months roadblocks and stopping of transports of goods to Addis has clearly hit the pride of the EPRDF and the TPLF. They cannot manage the public outcry and the momentum of the demonstrations. Since they have been gaining support and strength with the prolonged control of the state.

Now all demonstrations, all promotion of political agenda, meaning only the one message from the Council of Ministers are okay and the state officials like Siraj Fegessa are allowed. The rest are to bow to the masters of EPRDF as the SoE continues. What a narrative and oppressive regime from the get-go. They are stopping all sort of sharing of information, that meaning we could soon be seeing blocked internet, blocked social media, stopping of phone-lines and others measures to stop demonstrations.

If you thought the leadership and Council of Ministers came in peace, your wrong, they are taking away all freedoms and doing it with impunity. Because they cannot manage to understand or reflect on why the Oromo and Amhara people are tired. They just want to rule and silence the opposition. They want to use force and harass these regions. Detain, destroy and spread fear, but clearly, it isn’t working as anticipated. Since, they are continuing and the aggression from the government should be forfeited. Instead, this measures and this pressure from the state, might dissolve it.

Who knows, but they cannot stop the momentum and neither the public uprising, which has already shown force in Oromia and Amhara. It is just a matter of time before they say: “enough”. When they do, the military and the police can be there, but they cannot arrest them all or kill them all. Then they have nothing to earn and no citizens to gain profits from, it would be suicide of the government to do that.

Not the TPLF and EPRDF is bright, since they instead of reconciling with the protesters, they started another SoE. They could have gone the route of peace and negotiations, instead they are using force, they might think they are winning, but they are not. They are slowly losing, but not knowing it. Peace.

South Sudan Civil Society Forum: High-Level Revitalization Forum could have achieved more than it did (20.02.2018)

United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees steps up support for Uganda’s refugee programme (20.02.2018)

The data verification exercise is scheduled to be completed by September 2018 – including introduction of biometric checks at food distribution sites.

GENEVA, Switzerland, February 20, 2018/APO Group/ —

UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, announced today new measures to support the government of Uganda’s refugee programme, including through a major biometric data verification exercise.
“We are taking extremely seriously recent developments in Uganda. The refugee programme in this country is of critical importance, given the scale of the emergency and the role model played by Uganda in welcoming and receiving so many people seeking international protection,” said UNHCR’s Assistant High Commissioner for Operations, George Okoth-Obbo.

“On 1 March, in support of the Ugandan government, we together with our partners are launching a massive biometric verification exercise of all refugees in Uganda. This nation-wide re-enrolment and verification process will be key to help the government in fixing discrepancies in refugee data,” added Okoth-Obbo.

UNHCR has already deployed staff, with partner emergency teams, to start the exercise. In total, more than 400 staff will register refugees.

The data verification exercise is scheduled to be completed by September 2018 – including introduction of biometric checks at food distribution sites. The tried and tested UNHCR biometric system has already been used in 48 countries across the world and helped register some 4.4 million refugees.

In parallel, UNHCR’s independent Inspector General’s Office is rigorously pursuing its own oversight and due diligence measures, including investigations of several serious allegations received in 2017 on fuel embezzlement, one allegation of sexual exploitation and abuse, irregular tendering of water trucking, and fraud in procurement and food distribution.

Uganda initiated a probe in January after reports received by UNHCR and the World Food Programme (WFP) alleged corruption and grave misconduct by government officials involved in refugee assistance.

“Let me be crystal clear: the allegations reported so far are not focused on UNHCR. Our investigations aim at supporting the recently launched probe by the Ugandan prime minister to fight corruption and grave misconduct by its officials,” said UNHCR’s Okoth-Obbo.

“At UNHCR, we have zero tolerance for misconduct, abuse and exploitation. Every possible report or allegation is thoroughly assessed,” stressed Okoth-Obbo.

Allegations concerning other UN agencies or implementing partners have been referred to the respective organizations for internal investigation, and those concerning government staff or entities have been referred to authorities in Uganda. UNHCR is closely monitoring the outcomes of these investigations and is closely cooperating with the Ugandan authorities and other partners.

UNHCR is also strengthening its monitoring and oversight to prevent a reoccurrence of the events, including the deployment of more senior staff to help put in place additional safeguards.

These new measures are being implemented as the current Representative is reaching the end of his term and a more senior replacement is about to arrive.

“Throughout his time in Uganda, Mr Bornwell Kantande has demonstrated deep commitment, steering the UNHCR operation in a particularly challenging environment characterized by multiple refugee influxes, with Uganda now hosting the largest number of refugees of any country in Africa. After almost three years as Representative, he will shortly move to a new assignment and in the meantime continues to enjoy my full support and trust,” said UN High Commissionner for Refugees Filippo Grandi.

Uganda provides protection to well over one million refugees, keeping an open-door policy for people fleeing conflict and persecution.

“We need a strong and collective response which aims at strengthening the refugee programmes in Uganda, while drawing lessons from the current situation,” concluded UNHCR’s Okoth-Obbo.

South Sudan: SPLM/A-IO – “The Status of the Ongoing IGAD led – High Level Revitalization Forum (HLRF)” (19.02.2018)

Opinion: Does the EU know how the EPRDF/TPLF uses the force during a State of Emergency? – Doesn’t look like it.

Just as the State of Emergency is setting effect. The Amhara Region has started their new protests against the regime. They are now having city wide demonstration and stay home one, where people stayed home instead of going out or opening shops in Gonder and Bahir Dar. That is the proof of the word of mouth and tiredness of the Ethiopian People’s Revolutionary Democratic Front (EPRDF ) and also the dominant party of the Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF). Those are the ones who most likely put the force in the State of the Emergency at the “Council of Ministers” during the weekend. After the Prime Minister resigned.

So its a setback and proves the lack of proper mentality or even understanding the tiredness, that the European Union, doesn’t see the hour of need, the strength of the public will and the demonstrations in Amhara and Oromia. That they could offer moral support, if any. Since, they are supposed to be on the barricades for democracy and for human rights. Instead, they are now limiting their statement and making less progress. In the view of stability over the democracy and over justice for the Ethiopian people and the groups who has been neglected by the EPRDF.

European Union Spokesperson on Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Catherine Ray in a statement today said this:

The announced reinstatement of the State of Emergency risks undermining this very objective. It is therefore of the outmost importance that it should be as limited in time as possible and respectful of human rights and fundamental freedoms, notably those enshrined in the Ethiopian Constitution. Violence should also be avoided. As a committed partner of Ethiopia and of the Ethiopian people, the EU will continue to encourage all actors to work constructively towards a democratic and stable Ethiopia” (EEAS – Catherine Ray – ‘ Statement on the situation in Ethiopia’ 19.02.2018).

The Oromo Party in the coalition the Oromo People’s Democratic Organizatino (OPDO) has today elected new leadership. They have elected or selected Ahmed Abiye, instead of the one everyone though would win and might become PM, that being Lemma Megersa. So, this also changes the battle and the question of who will be appointed the next PM. That can be the saving grace or create even more hostile atmosphere. Since the TPLF might put enough stones on the scale to crash the whole regime. There are even reported that Lemma Mergesa are today put under house-arrest. That is from credible sources within the EPRDF and TPLF. This could be reason for why Abiye became the new leader of OPDO.

While in the party of the former PM, there has been election where now Defense Minister and the one who announced the State of Emergency Siraj Fegessa has become the party chairman of the Southern Ethiopian People’s Democratic Movement (SEPDM). Therefore, he might be a front-runner to, unless the TPLF are weighing the scale to get someone from the regions, which the EPDRF has used force in. That being the Amhara and Oromia regions, that the state has used the army, detained and killed.

That is why, its like the EU are looking the other way, asking the EPDRF to act nicely, when they have a reputation and has a history of open violence, actual takeover and invasions of armies into the public sphere and against civilians to quell the uprisings of the citizens there. It is like the EU doesn’t want to know about the destruction and the killings in the provinces. Like please be nice, but not hurt the Ethiopians, the Amhara people or the Oromo people either.

Today as the EU wrote about peace and non-violence, there are report in the midst of the stay-home demonstrations as Col. Demeke Zewde came home to Gonder, the Aghazi Squad shot live bullets at the crowds. Clearly, the TPLF and EPRDF are continuing their oppression and has no plans of doing otherwise.

We can wonder if the EU gets it, but don’t expect it too. They are now showing compliance and not understanding the situation and the dire need for change. That the society and the state, needs a new leadership who actually listens not only to the protesting regions, but the whole amount of citizens. Not only the Tigray and their hunger for power. If Brussels cannot understand that, then they are blindly looking the other way.

It’s a terrible look if the EU is serious about human rights, working for democratic institutions and actually caring about more than stability. They should support the rising uprising, the defiance of the state and the protest, which has lasted for years. Because their tolerance of oppression is over. It is just the TPLF and EPRDF who cannot muster change, since they want it by any means. Peace.

South Sudan – SPLM/A-IO: “SPLM/A (IO) leaders in the US Condemn the mockery of Justice in the case of James Gatdet Dak, Call on IGAD and the international community to immediatly intervene” (19.02.2018)

Opinion: The twisted tongue of DP Ruto ask people to respect the rule of law!

It is just convenient how the Jubilee and the modern day KANU government profess to the rule of law, the government who themselves are critical of the courts, the ones who has barred judges from appearing and trying to muffle with them since September 2017. It is weird and unique that these gentlemen speaks of the concern of rule of law. When they are ordering unlawful and unjust actions countering the rule of law. When they are in charge misusing the rule of law to take away the rights and privileges, even their citizenship, because they can. That Deputy President William Ruto should instead show his invoices to his palace, instead of talking about the rule of law yesterday. It is insulting to common sense and their codes of conduct.

“All of us must submit to the Constitution of Kenya and the rule of law, not the rule of men” (…) “If there are people who respect the rule of law, then it’s us in Jubilee. We have a track record of abiding by the rule of law and we will continue doing so” (…) “This democratically elected government under the leadership of President Kenyatta will continue to be run on the basis of the constitution and the rule of law” (Kipsang, 2018).

I don’t know about you, but how about all the corruption scandals? How about all the men and woman who has been killed, the extra-judicial killings? Why there are, so many crimes not solved and even looked into? How can this KANU be seen as one for the rule of law?

That is just to begin with and the use of police to harass and detain people without warrants. Taking away gun-licenses and passports without any jurisdiction, That is the rule of law, taking people from meetings and arresting them, stop journalists and bloggers, confiscate their digital equipment and never show the seal of orders. That is the state of affairs. The so called rule of laws in Kenya these day.

The records of accomplishment of Ruto and Kenyatta is not, what they talk, but how they act. How they act and their words are opposite. They speak of peace, but go on total war. The Jubilee speak of following procedure, but when coming to opposition, they go all in without needing to follow the law or the Constitution. They defy the courts, they harass even the judges in public and even house-arrested one at one point last year. Therefore, it is not as if Jubilee is caring much about it. That is why it’s insulting to hear and see that Ruto speak like this.

If Ruto and Kenyatta cares about the constitution, they wouldn’t have sent Miguna Miguna packing to Canada. They would have sent him to the courts and he had to answer for his “crimes”. The same would have happen to Ndii who suddenly faced the law and was arrested without warrants and warning. That is just the state of affairs under Jubilee.

Everyone has to abide the law, except the ones loyal enough to Ruto and Kenyatta, if your not, then you end behind bars for any reasons they can pinpoint at you. They just don’t care, the state and the ones responsible haven’t the need to address it. They can just do it. Like they have done and continue to do.

Therefore, I get tired of insults to common sense, but that is the way of Ruto. That is why he has water all around his home. Since he is afraid of people storming it like a medieval king. Not wanting to have people suddenly barricading his doors and windows. He needs an army to be safe and needs enough security detail as a size of giant village. If not, why did he build a house like that?

Well, that was outside the point, but Ruto. Don’t talk about rule of law, when it doesn’t matter to you or your regime. For you and your elite, the rule of law is a toilet paper that you need to wipe your ass with, but has not existential value or need. It is just there as a grand component, that can be of use when you want to get rid of shit. Peace.

Reference:

Kipsang, Wycliff – ‘Let’s unite and build Kenya, Ruto tells Nasa’ (18.02.2018) link: https://www.nation.co.ke/news/politics/Let-us-unite-and-build-Kenya-DP-William-Ruto-tells-Nasa/1064-4310350-5xioti/index.html