KDF – MinBane

Kenya: Revolutionary Socialist League (RSL) – Statement on Kenya’s Decision to Deploy the Kenya Defence Forces to the Democratic Republic of Congo (07.05.2021)

Despite remarkable achievements in Somalia in the recent past, structural challenges remain and continue to undermine the country’s security and political stability, the United Nations envoy for the country has warned.

DAKAR, Senegal, September 14, 2018 – Briefing the Security Council for the last time in his capacity as UN Special Representative for Somalia, Michael Keating called on all Somalis to draw strength from the positive transformations going on inside the country and work collectively for the common good.

“The future of Somalia is in the hands of the Somalis,” he declared.

In particular, Mr. Keating – who also heads the UN Assistance Mission in Somalia (UNSOM) – urged unity among political leaders.

“The more [they] show unity, the greater the opportunity, and the responsibility, of international partners to invest in all parts of the country and its leadership,” he said.

In his remarks, Mr. Keating highlighted four key concerns the country’s leaders need to address, and issues that the international community should keep focusing on.

These include the threat posed by the Al Shabaab and other extremist groups; the risk of political differences overshadowing progress in legislative, reform and security areas; fragmentation within the international community; and the danger of a humanitarian “catastrophe”, especially with most of the population already living in precarious circumstances due to climate change and other vulnerabilities.

“Future crises will result from the combination of climate related shocks; armed conflict provoked by Al Shabaab and unresolved grievances; competition over natural resources; and systemic marginalization of certain groups,” warned Mr. Keating. He underscored the need to reduce the vulnerability faced by ordinary Somalis, through job creation and smart investments that safeguard natural resources and help unlock the enormous economic potential of the country.

Besides political will, Mr. Keating underscored, success will depend on leaders from the political, business and traditional spheres “working together for the common good, leveraging the country’s potential wealth to transform prospects for people – especially the young.”

On 1 October, Nicholas Haysom will replace Mr. Keating as the Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Somalia and the head of UNSOM. Mr. Keating was appointed the top UN official in the Horn of Africa nation in November 2015.

Women have brought ‘important voices’ to Somali politics

Alongside Mr. Keating, Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka, the Executive Director of the UN gender equality and empowerment agency for women and girls (UN Women) highlighted the “once-in-a-generation opportunity” that Somalia currently has to establish lasting peace, and gender equality.

She commended the nation for improving representation of women in public office, illustrated by the “jump” in women’s representation in parliamentary elections from 14 to nearly 25 per cent of seats in the most recent elections.

This progress, she underscored, has brought many “important voices” to Somali politics.

She said it had brought to the centre “the fight to end child marriage, end female genital mutilation (FGM), and change laws that discriminate against women,” noting that the participation of women will be further boosted if more leaders, especially clan leaders, embrace gender equality and support women.

She also called on the international community and the Security Council to support Somalia’s federal and provincial authorities, advance gender equality, act strongly against sexual and gender-based violence, advocate for meaningful participation and recognition of women in all sectors, and support women’s groups in the country.

“Women’s organizations in Somalia are organized. They are dedicated to their country: they are activists, advocates, entrepreneurs, professionals, and patriots,” said Ms. Mlambo-Ngcuka, noting that as the country prepares to confront the challenges in the days ahead, “women will make the difference.”

Somalia: Food security improving but recovery remains fragile (02.09.2018)

Democracy dies on the altar of Stability!

“the crisis of democracy” as when normally passive and apathetic populations become organized and seek to enter the political arena to pursue their interests and demands, threatening stability and order.” – Noam Chomsky

I know, this is our time paradigm and it isn’t a shift of policy, just a ignorance of the mere fact that dictatorships and totalitarian affairs gets to linger, because the international stakeholders rather see stability and military efforts to control the population, instead of a tolerant and transparent democracy. That is just the mere reality, it isn’t fiction.

This happens again and again, it rebounds and recharge after every contested and questionable election. Now in Zimbabwe, previously in Kenya last year and in Uganda the year before. It doesn’t matter if the head of state rigged themselves in and used the army to silence the population after. As long as they are stable and loot their nations at a steady pace. It isn’t happening on our shores, so why should the international stakeholders suffer and make the public lose faith in the institutions. They are moving forward and showing some signs of democratic values, even as belittling as letting them have a rally or two without interference of the police.

Therefore, this get boring as this sort of play get back-to-back, no return and steady road without any redemption. Only more of the same old suffering and toils in the midst of oppression. We see no salvation and not turn of events, where the mere factors changes. It is just the same old story with new names and new charges put on opposition leaders.

If not there will be ‘Unity Governments’ where the loser reign supreme and the winner begs for breadcrumbs, where the rigging master get the head of state and military, while the real winner get meaningless positions and a title not even worth the print of ink. It is just a mere puppet show the façade to look beautiful, while the population and the ones who govern knows it is just a play. They could be shooting a movie and not run a government, because this is just nonsense. They all know it, but they have to secure donor funding and legitimacy.

This is the sort of game we play, we return to it, as the opposition is tarnished, called terrorists and hooligans, while the democratic playing field is shrinking and no one seems to care. Unless, you’re the President and you’re the VPs bitch, because you cannot pressure the VP or the army, since they hired you to be the head of state. That is why Mnangagwa will speak of tolerance and unity, but will not challenge any solider killing innocent civilians, than he plays against the ones who hired him.

The army will hold Kenyatta in force too, and they did with their assaults on the public after the Fresh Presidential Elections, as the did their duty in Kisumu and Kibera. They really went ahead with violence and killed civilians. Just like the Uganda People’s Defence Force (UPDF) did after the 2016 in Kampala and elsewhere to prove their majesty, his excellency Museveni all power.

Therefore, this game is getting old and stale, where the ruling regime is eating of the plate, taking it all and only leaving pain for the majority. It isn’t funny, but the same old play we have seen before and no one seems to really care. They accept this and doesn’t really challenge it. They are putting out statements: We condemn. But a few minutes later, they will not do anything about it.

We are just moving in circles and it isn’t funny. Democracy is dying and it does it on the temple of stability. What is the value of stability, if the elite eats 99 % and the 99 % eats the 1 %. It is worthless, as worthless as these “elections”, where the handpicked Gentlemen are doing as they please and has no consequence. Seriously, what value does it add? Other than for some empty headed businessmen who eats of the electoral tenders. Very little are to gain for the society or the stakeholders. Just buying legitimacy and race to the supreme.

Just getting tired of this scheme, of this race and of these sort of play. It is time to get serious and engage properly, respect the ballot and the will of the people. Not just use that election for the little regard regime so they can stay afloat for another term. That isn’t cool, screw stability, when it only leads to power-vacuum and a more intolerant society afterwards. Peace.

European Union Operation Atalanta (NAVFOR) patrol aircraft reaches 1000 Missions: “1 Mil Misiones!” (26.07.2018)

Collaborating with the Naval Units of European Union Operation Atalanta (NAVFOR) Somalia and other Djibouti based MPRA’s (operating with CTF151) provides stability and security to the ships that pass through the zone

NORTHWOOD, United Kingdom, July 26, 2018 – Deterrence, repression and prevention of piracy begins with the identification of the threat. EU NAVFOR has been making use of Spanish Maritime Patrol Reconnaissance Aircraft (MPRA) for nearly 10 years with 1000 missions and more than 10,000 hours flown to keep a watch from the skies.

The Spanish MPRA Detachment in Djibouti has recently reached the major milestone of 1000 missions during their commitment to Operation Atalanta since December 2008.

The highly capable Orion P-3C can operate either alone or in coordination with other assets including EU NAVFOR’s helicopters and warships. It can use its inherent flexibility, speed, reach, and response time, to assist maritime vessels under pirate attack. Both Spain and Germany have deployed MPRAs to the Somali coast since the start of Operation Atalanta. The expertise gained by their respective crews is a key factor contributing to the success of the EU NAVFOR Operation.

Since the beginning of the operation, MPRA’s have been key elements in the fight against piracy in the waters of the Indian Ocean. Collaborating with the Naval Units of EU NAVFOR Somalia and other Djibouti based MPRA’s (operating with CTF151) provides stability and security to the ships that pass through the zone.