Democratic Republic of Congo: UN Agencies in Urgent Bid to Prevent Famine in Kasai (18.01.2018)

Only 400,000 out of the 3.2 million severely food insecure people in Kasai received assistance in December.

KINSHASA, Democratic Republic of Congo, January 18, 2018 – In a stark warning, three UN agencies – the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), UNICEF and the World Food Programme (WFP) – say time is running out to save hundreds of thousands of lives in the Democratic Republic of Congo.

Farmers  – who fled due to conflict – have missed three consecutive planting seasons. This has left people with almost nothing to eat. Food assistance is failing to fill the gap. Only 400,000 out of the 3.2 million severely food insecure people in Kasai received assistance in December. More than 750,000 are still displaced. Around 630,000 people have returned to their burned down villages after hiding in the forest, they must be helped to resume food production. Over ninety percent of rural communities depend entirely on agriculture.

“Agriculture is the only way to become productive again. Not only does it generate food and income for families, but it restores hope, dignity and self-reliance”, said Alexis Bonte, FAO Representative ad interim in the DRC.

The nutritional status of children is particularly critical. “At least 400,000 children under five have severe, acute malnutrition,” said UNICEF’s Acting Representative in the DRC, Tajudeen Oyewale. “They are likely to die unless they urgently receive health, water, sanitation and nutrition support. Longer-term food security must be restored and feeding and care practices improved so that children can have access to the adequate quality food they need.”

The UN and its partners are racing against time to feed the people of Kasai, fight malnutrition among its children and build resilience. But the odds are stacked against them: infrastructure is limited, security poor and the cash short.

“There are signs that donors are beginning to respond, but resources are woefully inadequate given to the scale of human suffering”, said WFP’s Country Director in DRC, Claude Jibidar.  “The Congolese government and the international community must re-engage on all fronts to prevent a major famine in Kasai. Failure to do so, immediately and collectively, means many people will die.”

RDC: Comite Laic de Coordination (CLC) – Mise au Point du Comite Laic de Coordination (18.01.2018)

President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni: “Don’t Preserve Terrorism in DRC” (17.01.2018)

 

RDC: Dynamique de l’Opposition Politique Congolaise – Communique en Rapport Avec La Marche Pacifique du 21 Janvier (16.01.2018)

Opinion: President Kabila uses insurgency as a bargain chip to stay in Power!

It is weird to write this again, but the last term of President Joseph Kabange Kabila lasted until a 16th December 2016. We are now on the 16th January 2018. That means the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) has had a President without a term for a year and a month, or a total of 396 days. Kabila has been running the DRC without elections or stepped down for over a year.

He has himself been registered for elections twice without anything happening. There has also been insurgencies and all of them seems to be buying him time. The same can be said about what is happening as FARDC and UPDF are now together working to beat ADF in Southern Kivu. This has happen since December 2017, even if the UPDF went in before they had an official agreement.

Just like in early January 2017 former M-23 soldiers and leaders flee from Uganda and Kisoro into DRC. This also happen so the insurgency could be used for leverage. That was done and therefore, the same region needed more uncertainty and now the ADF is the new big-problem. Just as it has happen in the past. If it would be FDLR or Interahamwe, even if this would be mustered into new groups to create insecurity.

During the year, the FARDC General Akii Mundos is synonymous with the Beni Massacres, where he still inflict danger and violence in the region.

We can also question the sudden rise of the Mayi-Mayi attacks in May 2017 as well, since they we’re unofficially sponsored by Burundian government on wishes of Kinshasa. That happen also during the period of uncertainty created.

During the whole year, Kamunia Nsapu have during the year created hostility in Kasai-Oriental, where the state even wanted to hide their crimes and even UN Monitor’s was killed while following the evidence. There has been found dozens of mass graves in the region and still this hasn’t shocked the world and massive breaches of killings from the state. As the militia and FARDC has killed civilians and innocent people in general. While creating even more insecurity.

So the sudden changes of direct attacks on ADF seems like it follows the current paradigm of being insecurity managed to keep Kabila in power. I don’t wish this, but since he has hold himself without an official term for a year and month.

What we should know already is that he took power in January 2001, waited to be elected before 2006 and again 2011. This to the two presidential terms he could in the 3rd Republic. Well, in that figure, means that he had already bonus years that doesn’t count between 2001-2006. Meaning, he was able to postpone it back-then for 5 years before his first election. Now he is again using insurgency and violence to extend his term without an election. Even without changing the Constitution. That is the reason for the violence in insecurity. There is no other reason for it.

It isn’t anything beautiful, it is only more sinister activity in favor of the President Kabila. Kabila are using the military and insurgency to overstay. He uses his power, his leadership and his control until someone takes him away. I will never expect him to just step down. Then he would have done so over a year ago. He would have had an election during 2016. Something he never had, something he postponed for all sorts of reasons. There will come new reasons, CENI will find problems and lack of funding. Even if United States, United Kingdom and the EU offers funding for an election. This while Mineral Extraction continues, oil export and other profitable activity happens without proper taxation.

Kabila will not let this cash-cow go, he has had the control for over 16 years. He has had his terms and no plans of stepping down. Doesn’t matter if is his unpopular or insult the intelligence of his own people. Kabila will use insurgence and insecurity as a bargain chip to stay. Something he used to extend his first term until the first election. Now he is extending his last term with the same tactic. While it cost more and more people’s live for his to stay in power.

He will stay in power, no matter the cost. Kabila has proven that, he want to extend and not let it go. There is no proof that he wants to or has any significant plan of doing so. The army and the allies is still all around him. The important opposition is in the former colony safe-havens, while activists are either in jail or getting detained for standing up against him. Even the churches who march in protest are getting beaten, killed in the streets. Kabila will take anyone down who stands in his way. Just like he did in the previous times.

Kabila, will use the insurgency, insecurity and violence as bargain chip, as a method and use it for all its worth. Not caring for the innocent or the real cost of the action. But that it gives him to stay in Power and relinquish everything he hold dear, the money and the power. Peace.

RDC: Mouvement de Liberation du Congo (M.L.C) – Communique de Presse (15.01.2018)

ULS Statement on Constitutional Petition No. 3 of 2018 (15.01.2018)

Opinion: Besigye launches ‘Tubalemese Campaign’; What about those unfinished ones and will the public be behind him?

I am not a critic of Dr. Kizza Besigye, I am a supporter and a well-wisher of the cause of the man, who is one of the founding men behind, the Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) and a hardliner against the President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni regime. This should be well-known, so before you critique me over this, let it be known. I just want the best for the cause and for the total destruction of the National Resistance Movement (NRM) government. That would be golden and the best. To destroy what is there and then rebuild. Since the Ugandan government is rotten to its core and its roots are rotten, because the President want to direct order everything from the State House.

In November 2015 before the General Election of 2016, the then newly elected Presidential Candidate for the FDC, Besigye launched the ‘Defiance Campaign’. A campaign that has been suspended by the authorities, have gotten him house-arrested and also gotten many of his allies detained. This campaign really showed the impunity of the state against the opposition. Also, how much the state uses their resources to take control, instead of actually having a real democracy. The Campaign of Defiance really undressed it once and for all. With all the roadblocks, the closed off stadiums and rallies, all the activity that has been stopped and the live-bullets together with tear-gas. The proof of the impunity can be traced to the Campaign of Defiance, combined with the swearing-in of Besigye as People’s President. As he was taken to Moroto and was charged with treason. A charge he still has to this day and a court case that is still not dismissed.

In May 2017, Besigye launched the ‘My Land My Country’ Campaign against the Constitutional Amendment that was pointed to make it easier for the government to expropriate land for public use or development. A Constitutional Amendment that the President has had a Radio Campaign for late last year, while Besigye himself was blocked from doing similar. This campaign has come on the back-burner as the other Constitutional Amendment and campaigning against that took the most of the energy of the opposition in November and December 2017.

So now in January 2018, the People’s President has launched another Campaign, the Tubalemese, which could be seen as inspiration from the National Super Alliance (NASA) campaigns after the turbulent days after the second presidential election in October 2017. The newly inspired campaign seems like and sounds like what the NASA is doing in Kenya. That meaning FDC is taking advice and following the Odinga paradigm. Since the Besigye plans and former campaigns has not made fruits or made the juice. It has not created a ripple effect. After a while it has died down and nothing sustainable gained.

We cannot see anything significant happen out of the defiance campaign, the momentum and the popularity of Besigye. Didn’t make changes or make it possible for a transition from Museveni. Since the fear of smearing and weapons of the President could hurt the ones who turns against him. Museveni is without mercy and without any of a rebellion. Therefore, as long as the campaigns have been made with half-heartly, he have let them happen and when they are spinning. He uses the police force and the courts to stifle them. That is why its sad to say, at the top of the Defiance campaign, the Besigye leadership and people around him didn’t push it further. They just stopped and let it go.

Besigye lost his traction, the My Land My Country, never really got anywhere and the campaigns haven’t made progress. There been more substance of the giving of foods to Isingiro and other districts, than what the campaign on land could ever gain. The FDC and the newly elected leadership should focus on one campaign, use the newly elected leadership on the front-line together Besigye. Not let him stand there alone in the darkest hour, but support him when the rain start to fall. They are there in the sunshine and when they need his popularity. However, when the darkest hour comes, they flee like insects to find either food or light.

Besigye deserves credit, he deserves support and his persistence and hard-work should be recognized. He has fought for the cause for so long and with such bravado. Not like he has given up or given in. However, Lukwago are there and uses his position. Certain others do to, but there should be more people around to show the respect for the cause. Besigye needs ground support and needs to see the public swing in his favor. The fear of repression has to stop at one point.

If this campaign is no more than a public display and a PR stunt. The public deserves better and Besigye deserves so as well. I want him to succeed. However, so many other campaigns has run into the sand. So much squabble and fighting that has not changed the system or taken away any power for the President.

But we do know if the President and his security agents feels the pressure, the opposition will be arrested on phony charges, his leaders around him too. They will not be allowed to breathe, the Kasangati home will he a prison and he cannot even go out an buy meat at the market. Besigye knows this and the public knows this too. However, if they want Besigye to succeed. They need to stand behind on the barricades, they need to walk with him. Not only in spirit, but in action. Peace.

RDC: CLC – “Appel du Comite Laic de Coordination Dimanche 21 Janvier 2018: Ensemble Marchons pour Prendre en Mains Notre Destin” (13.01.2018)

Age Limit: No honor among thieves – “27 NRM ‘Rebel’ MP’s needs to apologize to Mzee”

Last year, the Raphael Magyezi Private Bill and Life Presidency for Yoweri Kaguta Museveni was through Parliament and the final nail in the coffin. Was when the Parliament voted for it after a hectic second reading and adding longer terms for current MPs and beyond. The reality is that some Members of Parliament, even in the National Resistance Movement. The almighty NRM voted against the Life Presidency act, which would be its proper name. Instead of the ugly duckling of ‘Constitutional Amendment Bill’.

Because 27 NRM MPs didn’t follow orders from the State House. They didn’t honor the almighty President and his will. The party and the NRM Parliamentary Caucus has to sanction these individuals, even if they followed the public of their constituencies and their electorate. Because their real electorate is the old man with the hat. Nothing else matters in the state of affairs. They should have known this, but apparently, they didn’t get the memo.

Here is some outtakes:

The Leadership of the NRM Parliamentary Caucus has advised the 27 NRM rebel legislators who voted against the Controversial constitutional amendment bill 2017 to apologize to the country or else face the disciplinary committee. The Vice Chairperson of the NRM Parliamentary Caucus Solomon Silwany says the decision made by the 27 NRM rebel legislators was uncalled for and failure to apologize they will face the disciplinary committee of the Caucus” (NBS TV, 09.01.2018).

However, the Vice Chairperson of the NRM Parliamentary Caucus, Solomon Silwany says the decision made by the 27 NRM rebel legislators was uncalled for and failure to apologise will face the disciplinary committee of caucus. Following the resumption of the work of the August house after the Christmas and end of year recess, Silwany said the increasing indiscipline amongst members of the caucus will not be tolerated. He urged those who voted against the Magyezi bill to apologise to the party leadership before facing the wrath of the party caucus. Silwanyi told the Nile Post that the party parliamentary caucus leadership is set to meet this week to the decide the fate of these ‘rebel’ legislators” (Mugabi, 2018).

Now the party founded on rebellion against the previous leadership. Is now casting stones against the ones rebelling against itself. It is neat and also foolish. But that is how it is, when you have to blindly follow a leader or a President who has no agenda, other than his own belly. The NRM is blindly following Museveni until their own graves and hoping they will buried with dozens of shillings. That is why they are contemplating sanctions and taking action against the ones voting against the Life Presidency bill.

That the NRM has sunk this low. That the barrier of code of conduct is the meager, says it all by how the State House wants the Parliament and the NRM MPs to function. They are tin-soldiers or marionettes for the President to order around like headless chickens. Awaiting signals for when to cluck or to duck. They are awaiting their time to speak and their time to be silent. It is all on orders from the high and mighty at the State House. The El-President, the Mzee and “the man without a vision” President Museveni.

That they shouldn’t apologize, I mean that sincerely, the ones who should apologize is the ones that voted for the life presidency. They have given way for Museveni to rule two 7 year terms from 2022. That is appalling and insulting to a Republic of educated men and women. Clearly, there should be possible to muster someone in his place. Museveni doesn’t think so, but why should he? He has had total control since January 1986. Museveni clearly doesn’t give a damn about perceptions anymore.

The NRM MPs didn’t rebel when voting against the Magyezi bill. They did what they are allowed to do and should be able to do. It is in their rights as MPs, as lawmakers to either vote “yay” or “nay”. To either stand behind a law or to reject it. Just like any other Parliamentarian. That isn’t to hard to understand, even if the NRM Caucus leadership want blind foot-soldiers drumming to the beat of the weakling President. Who cannot muster courage to perform his own duties and therefore, uses the party to silence his own ‘rebels’.

Its a failure of the Party and of the Caucus to understand the August House, if these men has to apologize for their righteous act against a life presidency bill. It is a disgrace and disappointing affair if they are sanctioned or put on retainer for acting against the will of the State House. It shows the impunity and lack of tolerance. If the NRM cannot accept within their own party, that everyone isn’t blindly submitting their lives into the hands of Museveni. That is anticipated, but shouldn’t be protocol. Then the MPs should sign with blood their loyalty to the Don and promise never to break the codes.

This is just a mockery of the Parliament, but the same parliament was attacked by Strangers to save this law. So the NRM Caucus shows that the President and his will are above the LAW. The President and in his favor can do what ever he wants, and everyone else has to obey. They didn’t obey and didn’t vote in favor of the President. Therefore, they have to punished. It is insane and foolish.

There is no honor among thieves, clearly that is the case at the 10th Parliament of Uganda. Peace.

Reference:

Mugabi, Sam Ibanda – ‘ NRM MPs who voted against lifting of age limit asked to apologise; or face action’ (10.01.2018) link: http://nilepost.co.ug/2018/01/10/nrm-mps-who-voted-against-lifting-of-age-limit-asked-to-apologise-or-face-action/